Ex-Husband's Regret

First Suspect
Chapter 116

“What do you mean she slipped into a coma?” Theo asks with an unmistakable tremble in his voice.

My heart was once again thudding against my ribcage. It felt like it wanted to punch a whole right through my fucking chest.

I try to think clearly, but it’s like my brain can’t function. Time slowed down as the doctor spoke. All I

heard was a ringing in my ear.

I stumble back and fall on the seat I had vacated. Gabe and my dad put their hands on me, but I shake

them off. I didn’t want their comfort. I wanted the doctor to tell me that the surgery had been a success

and that in a few hours Ava would wake up.

“She had a total of four bullets. One hit her head, the second hit her chest, the third hit her stomach, and

the final one hit her thigh. We were able to remove three of them successfully, except for the one in her

skull. It was lodged too deep and removing it would have killed her.”

Fuck. I don’t know what to feel or think about that. He is telling us that Ava will have to live with a bullet

stuck in her head. How is any of that fair? She was okay this morning before things took a turn for the

worst.

‘At least she’s alive,‘ a voice whispers.

I ignore it. She was alive, but would she stay alive? That was the main fucking question.

over, had to drill her skull to drain
“We were able to stop the bleeding, both internal and external. We,

fluid, which helped with the swelling in her brain. She flat–lined twice. It’s after the second time that she

slipped into a comma. For now, she’s in ICU.”

If I thought nothing could hurt me worse than seeing Ava get shot, then I was wrong. Hearing that we

almost lost her twice destroyed me. It is like being stabbed by a thousand sharp knives. I wouldn’t wish

anyone this fucking pain. Not even my worst enemy.

“Will she wake up?” I breathe hoarsely. “Will she be able to make a full recovery?”

“At this point, we can’t really say. This isn’t an induced coma, and we can’t assure you that she’ll wake up

in a few days. She might wake up tomorrow, in a few days, in a few months, or she might not wake up at

all. For now, we’ll give it a few days to see whether she’ll wake up.”

The possibility that she might not wake up nearly brought me to my knees.

1/4

+15 BONUS

She’s strong; she’ll

and snapping

the bullet in her brain? Will living with it have any effect

her cheek.

even begin to imagine how hard this must be for her. I can’t ever imagine facing the

It’s just too much

and there are others who

have speech and hearing issues, or

things that might be affected by the kind of injury to her brain.

say for sure. We have to wait for

If she wakes up,

verbally, but it’s in the way he looks at us. The uncertainty is in

Theo pulls her into his arms and hugs her close

strong couple I know is nowhere to be seen. The only ones

heartbroken parents.

have to come

person in the room with her. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my

nod at him, and he leaves just as mom comes

while Gunner goes

say? Is mom okay?” He looks up at me with hope, shinning his

parent. Knowing whether to tell your kid the fucking truth or lie

sure his mother will

tell him that

just have to wait and pray.” I decide to

and, God forbid, Ava never wakes up, he would end up

looks at me before looking at

1

a few minutes of silence, I

to see her today, I think you should all go

tomorrow.”

2/4

+15 BONUS

Corrine and Letty refuse at the same

I’ll let them know if something comes up, but they refuse to budge. In the end, everyone

Noah can’t stay in the hospital and that he needs someone with him. Cal agrees for the sake of Gunner. The

after they leave. There is little talking. Mostly we

arrives.

got here late. We had to interview the witnesses about Ava’s shooting.

happened to her.”

I nod my head.

“Have you found anything?”

give us anything beyond what we already know and have seen

I was hoping they would have

she in any state

shuts down, and my voice hardens. I know it’s not his fault

just pisses me

in a coma,” I grit