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.

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thoughts away. I can’t think like that. She’s strong; she’ll wake up. In a few fucking

and snapping

her brain? Will living with it have

her cheek.

begin to imagine how hard this must be

too

and there

and hearing issues, or have trouble recognizing words,

be affected by the kind of injury to her brain.

for sure. We have to wait for her to

If she wakes up,

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

as more tears fall down her face. Theo pulls her into his arms

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

heartbroken parents.

you’ll have to come back tomorrow, and even then, we will

the room with her. Now, if you’ll excuse me,

him, and he leaves just as

immediately comes to me, while

He looks up at me with

the hard part of being a parent. Knowing whether to tell your kid the fucking

the doctors aren’t really sure his mother will

him that she’s

aren’t sure, Bud. We’ll just have to wait and pray.” I decide to go with

lied and, God forbid, Ava never wakes up, he would end up hating me for lying that

Just looks at me

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silence, I turn and face the

won’t be able to see her today, I think you should all go home,

tomorrow.”

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refuse at the same time, followed by

to convince them that I’ll let them know if something comes up, but they refuse to budge. In

after I tell them that Noah can’t stay in the hospital and that he needs someone with him.

sits by my side after they leave. There is little talking. Mostly we just sit in silence,

arrives.

to interview the

happened to her.”

I nod my head.

“Have you found anything?”

what we already know and have seen on the

hoping they would have something.

she in any state to

it’s not his fault

just pisses me

coma,” I