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 wake up. In a few

up, glaring and snapping at

living with it

her cheek.

imagine how hard this must be for her. I

It’s just too much to even

and there are others who are affected. She

have speech and hearing

be affected by the kind

for sure. We have to wait for

If she wakes up,

but it’s in the way he

pulls her into his arms and hugs her close to

to be seen. The only ones standing in their

heartbroken parents.

you’ll have to come back

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll take

leaves just as

while Gunner goes to his

He looks up at me

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

the doctors aren’t really sure his mother will wake up

tell him that she’s

to wait and pray.” I decide to go

forbid, Ava never wakes up, he would end up hating me for lying that his mom

say anything. Just looks at me before

1

a few minutes of silence, I turn and

be able to see her today, I think you should all go home, get some rest, and come

tomorrow.”

2/4

+15 BONUS

and Letty refuse at the same time, followed

let them know if something comes up, but they refuse to budge. In the end, everyone decides to stay except for Emma, Cal, Kate, and

I tell them that Noah can’t stay in the hospital and that he needs someone with him. Cal agrees for the sake

after they leave. There is little talking.

arrives.

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

happened to her.”

I nod my head.

“Have you found anything?”

couldn’t give us anything beyond what we already know and have seen on

hoping they would

state

my voice hardens. I know it’s not his

just pisses

in a coma,”