Ex-Husband's Regret

Arson
“You’re kidding me, right?” I ask her, hoping that she was just joking.

She shakes her head sadly before handing over her phone.

AVA SHARP’S HOUSE BURNS DOWN HOURS AFTER SHE REVEALS HER IDENTITY AS HOPE

FOUNDATION’S FOUNDER.

I read and re–read the title of the news, hoping that this was one big joke. I’m proven wrong when I

scroll down and see the video of a burning house.

As much as I didn’t want to believe it, there was no way to deny that it was indeed my house

burning.

With my heart in my throat, I place Mary’s phone down and stand up quickly. My movements are

jerky as I rushed out of the room.

“Ava, wait” She calls me but her words fall on deaf ears.

Faces blur as I move at a speed that would put vampires to shame. Nothing registers in my mind

as I get outside.

Getting into my car, I peel out of the parking lot just as Mary burst through the door. She waves.

her hand. Trying to make me stop. I ignore her and keep driving.

My head was in turmoil. Anger and panic wage war inside me.

Did I forget to turn off my stove and that’s what caused the fire? I had no answer because I couldn’t

remember if I had turned it off or not.

My phone rings with an incoming call from Rowan. I ignore it. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind

to deal with him.

I get more calls from Ethan, Letty and even Travis and mother. Just like with Rowan’s call, I ignore theirs too. I just wanted to get to my house and see how much damaged they caused.

“Fucking bitch, watch where you’re going” a man screams and gives me the middle finger.

In my rush to get home, I almost ran him over.

“Sorry” I shout out the window, but he doesn’t listen. He instead continues to curse me and I

+15 BONUS

Twenty minutes later, I’m pulling into my neighborhood.

I drive slowly as there are civilians, cops, police cars and a fire truck. I bring my car to a stop and walk a short distance to where my house was burning.

I watch in horror, unable to believe that it was true. Firefighters were trying to extinguish the fire, but even I knew that by the time they’re done there won’t be anything left.

I feel my heart break as I watch the fire consume my house. It may not be grand but it was mine

and Noah’s home for the past few months. I loved it and I had so many good memories there. 1

Tears threaten to fall. Why was this happenifng to me? Haven’t I been through enough?

brings me back

find Rowan behind me. He looked at

here?” I ask as I wipe away my

only good thing was that no other house had caught fire. I don’t know what I would have done if others

weren’t picking up your phone, I was worried” he answers stepping

a hug so badly, but I knew I wouldn’t get it from him. Couldn’t

looking before turning and

was out of a home so I needed to get that shit sorted

think I’ve lost Rowan, only to be surprised when he opens the passenger door

the hell are you doing?” I shriek

no fucking way am I allowing you to be on your

“Get out I snap.

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He ignores.

out of my

either you

choice”

have a stare down for a couple of minutes. Eventually,

about your car?” I ask as I start

must have driven here or had his driver drive him. Rowan wasn’t the kind

who takes cabs.

drive my car back home….I’ll call him when I

then drive

no longer have

going to be

it?” I

wasn’t going to be okay. That

real–estate

saw what happened to your house”

tell me you have something for me,

homeless”

idea of staying in a hotel for whatever period of time. I don’t know what I will do if he tells me he has

perfect for you. I’m sure you’ll love it”

send me the address now, I want to check

agrees before

getting a new house? You know I have properties which you’re entitled to. You could have just picked one and

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had been so focused on getting a house that I

with me in

damn new house and that is exactly what I will do. I don’t need

your help”

but it’s too low for

while. The

last time I checked, your father cut

doing. As much as he was probably curious, he also wanted to distract me from my thoughts. To distract me from the fact that I had lost completely everything

a divorce or you would. Personally I thought it would be you. I knew it was only a matter time before Emma came back and you left me” He takes a deep breath at her

know what happened between them yesterday after I left, but I didn’t care. It was after all, none of

I couldn’t do that on my teacher’s salary, so about four years into our marriage I took all my money and invested it in

bank told me that it was risky, that the probability of that company succeeding was small. They were sure that I would lose my money in

memory. Tom’s logistics was a big company and very successful in its field. I

my shares and it felt great. I took a part–time business course, just to know the ins and outs of managing a business. From there, I started investing in startup companies. Those who needed capital and couldn’t get them from the bank, came

+15 BONUS

I have not made a bad investment. After the companies grow, they either buy

a member of