Ex-Husband's Regret

A new version
Rowan

There is something that happens inside you when you see your ex–wife, the mother of your son, shot and bleeding on the cold cemetery ground. Something I never thought I would feel towards Ava. 1

When I saw the men with guns pointing at us, I didn’t fucking think. I knew Noah was safe with my parents so my instincts took over and I dived for Emma. I would die for her and I was prepared to do just that..

I was relieved when the shooters ran after seeing the police but my relief was short lived when one of the officers shouted for an ambulance. I turned around wondering who was hurt, only I didn’t expect it to be Ava and seeing her hurt almost brought me to my knees.

It was a flurry of events after that. The ambulance arrived and the officer refused to let Ava go until he made sure she was safely in the able arms of the doctor.

I was pissed at his reluctance to let her go, she was my wife, I mean ex–wife but more importantly I was pissed at myself. I should have protected her. If something worse had happened to Ava, how would I have explained it to Noah? How would I justify the fact that I had failed to protect his mother?

So here I was pacing back and forth in the waiting room. So fucking worried because we hadn’t gotten a word since Ava was rushed to the emergency room. No one had come out to inform us of the prognosis.

“Please let her be okay” Kate, her mother whispered.

This is the first time I’ve heard any emotion in her voice when she talked about Ava I guess losing her husband and then almost losing her daughter softened her a bit.

We were all here with the exception of Noah Travis was seated next to Kate who was next to

Emma

I sat down unable to control the anxiety inside me. I needed her to be okay for Noah’s sake. I kept telling myself

I don’t know fo

ow long we were waiting, but when I looked up I saw Ava. She was over at the nurse’s station handing off papers. Her left arm was in a sling as she took her credit card and put it in her bag.

With difficulty, she managed to get out her phone, while still holding her bag. You could see that it wasn’t an easy task by the frown on her face.

+15 BONUS

“Ava” I called as she was about to walk past us. Her eyes still on her phone.

She looked up. I immediately noticed that something about her was different. I couldn’t place my

finger on it but it was there.

“What are you doing here, did someone else get hurt?” she asked. Her voice flat and devoid of any

emotion.

“How are you doing?” her mom asked instead of replying.

“Unfortunately for you, I’m not dead yet”

Her answer took everyone by surprise. Not only because of how she worded, but because of how cold it was.

I decide to cut in. “Where are you going”

“Home” was her only answer.

“Your hand is in a sling, you can’t drive” I reason.

“That’s why I called an Uber”

“Ava we need to talk. It’s about you father” Kate whispers making Ava turn to her mother.

I could see it in her

see what that has to do with me,

didn’t consider me his

doesn’t pay

her feelings leaving nothing

door but

Travis answered. His

sighed. “Looks like you’ll

you” I

me a frown from Emma but she’s got to understand. No matter my difference with

is

the Uber like

turned and left. We stare at the place she just stood

she would jump at any opportunity to be

she rejected my offer.

+15 BONUS

and leaves before we’ve had

into my Cadillac Escalade and drive off. Breaking every speed limit, we get to Kate’s house just in time to see Ava closing

inside the house we find my parents, Gabe and Ava who was basically ignoring them. It was weird seeing this side of her. Most of the time she would try to make small

get this over with” she says

to me with a business proposal that he wanted to partner with me. I agreed because

documents thinking this was a solid company. It was later that we realized that the company belonged to a criminal gang. Neither James nor I wanted anything illegal to touch our companies. We knew that it would be inevitable if we continued with

Ava dragged the word, her brows were furrowed as if she was confused about where this was

already feeling drained by the events of today. “Turns out the gang members were among the most wanted, they didn’t take it well that we had ousted them so they went into hiding.

“They started threatening your father. They promised to make him pay then came after his wife and children. They blamed him because he was the one that had approached them even though he didn’t they were involved in illegal business. We thought that they were bluffing with their threats that’s until they

my parents already knew. I look at Emma to find shock and fear

and the same dead and cold look

any of this has to do with me” her voice is cool as she looks at

“I’m going to

you’re not taking this seriously” I say through gritted

this meant? How much danger she was

us planning

I don’t see how

+15 BONUS

the same frustration I was feeling. “You were shot today

tells me is that I was in the

goes to speak but Ava

of you, not me. Everyone in this damn

part of this family, so what’s the use of going after someone he wouldn’t care one

if she died?”

air leaving us.cold. This was so unlike her. What the

devoid of any emotion. It’s like she was dead on

way she looked at me bothered me. I

her eyes

your priority then. it’s the woman beside you. She was his perfect little princess,

she pauses then faces the rest. Staring each and every

you fake ass concern. I don’t fucking need it and if it turns out I’m danger I will deal with it by myself. I’d rather die than accept any of your protection” she finishes

and we stare at her in surprise.

stares her down, trying to intimidate

down but not this

you want everything to be about you” she seethes making Ava