Ex-Husband's Regret

Chapter 0336

Ava

I’m already worn and tired. Don’t get me wrong, I love Noah, but I can’t wait for his party to end so that I can rest. The past few days have been busy with planning the part. That managed to keep my mind occupied, but not by much.

I’m still in turmoil about what I should do. Every time I look at him, I can’t help but wonder if I should give him a chance or not. I do love him, but I’m just not sure I’ll ever truly heal and let go of everything he has put me through.

Pulling myself from those thoughts, I text Kate and tell her it’s okay for her to bring Emma. Travis was obviously coming, as were Rowan’s parents and Kate. They attended every birthday Noah has ever had. It would be rude of me not to invite them because of my issues with them. Besides, Noah wanted them here.

She replies immediately and says they’ll be over in around thirty minutes. I know it might be immature of me, but I wanted to test Rowan. I wanted to see if there were any lingering feelings between him and Rowan.

“Mom!” Noah screams my name, scaring the life out of me.

“What is it?” I ask, turning, only to find him grinning from ear to ear.

Seeing him this happy makes all my troubles and worries melt away. Iris was still with Rowan and Gabe, but both she and Noah were my life. Even if I decide not to get back together with Rowan, having them in my life would be enough.

“Is it time yet?” His excitement is evident, making me laugh at how he was bouncing from one foot to another.

“Not yet,” I answer him. “But in a few minutes, your guests will start arriving. I’ll call you then so you can help me welcome them.”

He nods his head eagerly. Happiness radiating from every pore of his body. “Okay, call me when it’s time.”

my head, and he rushes/upstairs, all the while muttering how he’s going to make sure he looks dashing and handsome. I laugh at that, feeling joy and happiness spreading

“Ava!”

to find my mom and dad entering the house. I’d decided to call them that after I went back to pick up Iris that day. It just

I greet, hugging them.

giddily. “This is the first time we get to celebrate our

too much,” Dad adds. “We’ve missed so many birthdays

staring in shock as two of their drivers walked in with mountains of presents. I know Rowan, and I bought him a lot of gifts, but this was on another level. My mouth continues to hang wide open as the drivers ask

Rowan says next to me. “There is a space set aside for gifts; you won’t

my defense, though, there was a lot going

he says, greeting my parents

but dad just gives him a

with drool coming out of her mouth. It surprised me that, despite the noise around her, she was sound asleep. She

about we girls take Iris up for a nap while you

to answer. She gently swoops Iris from Rowan’s arms, grabs my hand, and

gently lays Iris in her crib. Once

you made a decision about Rowan?” she asks,

and shake my head.

I think that you should start getting therapy. Letty had told me that you’d started but stopped for obvious reasons. I think that you should resume.” She begins. “You went through a lot, and obviously letting go is going to be hard. You need help and someone to

but

to stay with Rowan or not, you will still need therapy. You can’t say that you’ll heal on your own, and sitting around without addressing the issue won’t help at all. You’ll try to move on, whether with Rowan or not, but the past will always drag you