Ch. 101..110

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 101-EmmaThe day I've been dreading was here. I was afraid of the truth getting out, but never in my wildest dream did I think that Ava would be the one to reveal it.I've tried so hard to keep it a secret. It was my shame to bear, and now everyone knew. Rowan knew. Among everyone, he's the one I didn't ever want to know."You mean Noah's best friend? That Gunner?" Gabe asks, his voice ringing in shock.I flinch at his name. I'd tried all I could to keep my life separate from him. To not get involved in his life. Everything was now nothing but a mess.novelbin "Yes, Gabe. Isn't it just a fucking coincidence? If he and Cal had never moved in next to us, then I would never havefigured it out, and Emma would have continued with her deception while hurting a little boy who craved the love of his mother."I feel the anger that radiates from Ava. It was scorching hot. Never in my life have I ever seen Ava look at me with such contempt.I curse her luck. I didn't know that Cal had moved next to Ava or that our sons had become best friends. If I'd known, I would have demanded that Cal to move."You're lying. Emma would never do something like that. You just want to cause us more trouble. Haven't you done enough? Your parents nearly bankrupted our company!" Travis yells at her.I know my brother. I know he's just frustrated and confused. Otherwise, he would never have talked to Ava that way. Especially since he's trying to mend bridges with her."Like I told you before, Travis, shut the fuck up. This is between me and your bitch of a sister, and as for the company, well, you deserve it. Just for the way you've talked to me, I might just decide to sink that fucking company myself."The horror in Travis eyes is real. It just hit him that he's managed to piss her off even more. That's the thing about Travis, he rarely thinks before he speaks. I love him, but it makes me wonder how the hell he survived being CEO."Even though he didn't deliver his words well, Travis is right, Ava. You can't come here accusing Emma without proof. We would have known if she had a child. Damn, Kate would have been the first to know," Rowan's dad says, trying to appease Ava, who looked like she was about to blow.He was right. My mother would have been the first to know about the pregnancy had I not been ashamed of it in the first place.I never wanted to carry anyone's baby except for Rowan's. When I got pregnant, I was ashamed of the pregnancy. Ashamed of how I got pregnant in the first place. So to keep that shame hidden, I never told a single person except my best friend. Molly was the only one who knew I had a son."The proof is staring right in front of you." Ava snarls. "If I were wrong, why the hell hasn't she said anything? Because, knowing Emma, she would have come out guns blazing if I were lying, yet she is as quiet as a tomb."They all turn to me, but I have nothing to say. My brain wasn't functioning. If I could I would have called Molly for guidance. I was alone while dealing with the aftermath of Ava's revelation.I hate her for this. For ruining everything. Everything had been going well even though we hadn't sorted our differences with Rowan. I know eventually we would have.Rowan was the other reason I didn't tell anyone about my pregnancy back them. I was still hurting and I wanted him to continuing hurting because he's the one that destroyed what we had. How then could I expect him to regret losing me if he found out I got pregnant for another man?He would have let go of the regret because we would have been even. I know it makes me selfish, but I didn't want that. I wanted him to continue hurting. It was my punishment to him for sleeping with Ava."You know what? I don't even care if you believe me or not. I'm not here for any of you. I'm here for that little boy who doesn't understand why his mother doesn't want anything to do with him. Why she doesn't love him. How do you even sleep at night, Emma?" Ava's voice turns soft towards the last part.I'm not a psychologist, but I think Gunner's situation reminds her of her trauma. Mom and Daddy wanted nothing to do with her growing up.I look at the ground, not able to withstand her piercing eyes, but she doesn't let me."Look at me when I'm talking to you," she demands, her tone turning deadly.Her aura demanded attention. Against my better judgment, I lift my eyes to hers. This was something I wasn't used to when it came to Ava. She has never been dominant. She was always the weak one, and for a moment, I get scared of the inferno burning in her eyes."Why would you do this to Gunner? Honestly, Emma, you're the one who always dreamed of having children, so why would you do this to your own son? Do you hate him so much that you're capable of living and pretending like he doesn't exist?" Before I can say anything, she cuts me off."I always thought you were perfect. Even when things went sour, I still thought you were good, turns out you're nothing but a bitch, because only a heartless bitch would abandon their son the way you abandoned Gunner. I hope whatever made you abandon him was worth it, because he doesn't deserve this. He doesn't deserve the pain you're causing him."With that she turns around and leaves without saying another word to any of us. Rowan tries following her, but Gabe grabs his arms and stops him. He whispers something in his ear, and Rowan sags in defeat."Is it true, Emma? Do you really have a son?" Mom asks in a shaky and sad voice. Tears was rapidly filling her eyes"Please tell me Ava wasn't telling the truth"Part of me wants to lie, but what would be the use? The seed has already been planted. It would simply take a DNA test to confirm what I've been trying to run away from for the past eight years.I sigh in defeat as tears fill my eyes. "Yes. Gunner is my son."

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 102-Her side of the story Mom collapses in the chair after my admission. The heartbroken look in her eyes was undoing me. The disappointed look she gave me nearly made me crumble on the spot. Travis, who had been holding me, lets go as if I had burned him. He backs away from me slowly until he’s a few feet away.

I know the rest had varying degrees of shock, but they didn’t matter to me right now. Not when my family was looking at me like they didn’t know me. Like I was a stranger.

“Please tell me you’re playing a sick joke on me,” Mom pleads. “Tell me you didn’t have a child and kept him hidden from us all these years.” I want to lie to them just so the heartbroken and disappointed look in their eyes will disappear. I know that I can no longer do that. There was no hiding from this. There was no more running from the truth.

“I’m sorry. So sorry,” I cry as I stumble towards her. “I wanted to tell you, but I was so ashamed.” I go to take her hand, but she flinches and pulls it away.

This is what I’ve been so afraid of. Ava was right. I was the perfect daughter. The one who never made any mistakes.

The one that thought things through before, except for that one time. Now their image of me is tarnished. Now they know that I am just like them. Human. The Ace card I had over Ava was gone. 2 I was in the same boat as Ava. I made mistakes that are now hunting me. Sleeping with Calvin remains the greatest mistak y life.

“H–How did this happen? When did it happen…did dad now?” Travis asks as he paces, frustration clear in his steps.

“Dad didn’t know. No one except Calvin and Molly knew.” I look at the ground, unable to face the look on my mom’s face.

“Start from the beginning and don’t leave a single thing out. I want to know why the hell you’ve kept my grandson a secret from his family,” Mom growls, her eyes turning fierce.

I didn’t want to rehash the past, but at this point, I don’t think I had any choice. If I didn’t want them to be even madder than they were right now, then I had to spill it.

“When Rowan married Ava, I was broken I tried not to let it show. Tried to make you, dad, and Travis believe I was okay because you were all so worried about me. I felt like I was drowning, Mom. Like my world had exploded, and I’d been left with nothing. When I went back to school, I didn’t tell any of you, but I fell into depression.

I sit down on the grass, feeling as small as I did back then when I learned that Rowan had slept with Ava.

“I was fading away. I didn’t eat, I didn’t sleep, and I didn’t attend classes. In fact, I rarely left my room. Molly noticed this. She started pushing, and when I refused to get better, she threatened to call you guys to let you know. I didn’t want you to know how I was struggling. I didn’t want Ava to find out how tough things were for me.” I was lost in memory. I had so much bitterness and resentment towards Ava back then. I thought if she ever found out how far I’d fallen, she would have been ecstatic. It was probably a year and a half later that I discovered she had been going through her own kind of hell.

“Things were going well after that. Molly became my anchor. My grades were improving, and I didn’t constantly cry or think about Rowan every second.” I take a deep breath “It was by coincidence that I met Calvin again. It turns out we went to the same Uni and he was also Molly’s assignment partner.” 2 “I didn’t really talk to him. After all, we weren’t friends. I tolerated him because he was Molly’s friend, and when he didn’t show any remnants of the obsession he had for me in high school, I stopped being weary of him. We co–existed. He stayed out of my way and I stayed out of his.” Fuck. This was hard. I wanted to stop, but now more than ever, I knew they wouldn’t let me.

“Like I said, things were going well for some time. They weren’t perfect, but they were bearable.

That is, until the night m alled me to let me know that Ava had given birth to a baby boy and that Rowan fell in love with his son at first sight. Everything around me crumbled, and all the pain I’d been hiding came to the surface.” I try to breathe through the pain of the memories, but it was so fucking hard.

“I was in pain, and I was really angry. Angry at myself for turning down Rowan’s proposal, angry at Rowan for getting drunk and sleeping with Ava, angry at Ava for getting pregnant and marrying the man I loved and angry at the baby for being born.” I hear a sharp intake of air. I don’t need to turn to know that it is from Rowan. I still struggle with being around Noah because if everything had gone the way I wanted it to, then he would have 2/5 *15 BONUS “I wanted to punish Rowan To hurt him like he hurt me I knew he always disliked Calvin for the way he crushed on me, so that night I approached Calvin and seduced him I knew word would probably get back to Rowan, and that would have hurt him. That’s why I slept with Calvin that night, because I counted on Rowan’s friend telling him. He would have been so hurt, I would have gotten my revenge, and maybe then it would no longer hurt as much.” I don’t tell them, but it’s also how I lost my virginity. I was saving it for Rowan and in the end I gave it to the guy who kept fighting for me to love him.

“I regretted it the next morning. It had been foolish of me to sleep with a guy I didn’t even like just to get back at the man I loved. I told Calvin that it was a mistake and that he should forget about what happened between us. I snuck out of his room, and I thought that was that. That it was a terrible one– night stand and that would be the end of it.” Fuck had I been wrong. I hadn’t planned for what was to come next. What destiny had planned for us.“We went back to ignoring each other like the other didn’t exist, that is, until my period was late. A cheap test. and later, a doctor’s appointment confirmed that I was pregnant.” It had been the worst news I’ve ever received. Deep in my heart, I believed that one day Rowan and I would get back together. I didn’t want an unwanted baby to hinder that. I didn’t want the consequences of my mistake to always be in my face.

“Why didn’t you get an emergency pill the morning after?” mom asks, making me blush a little.

“Apart from being a complete mess, everything was new to me. To put it plainly, I was naive. It was the–the first time I’ve ever h–had s–sex so I didn’t really know that I should have. It was one time, so I assumed tha‘ n’t really enough to get me pregnant. Looking back, maybe if I’d told Molly, she would have aused me to get one, but like I said, I was so ashamed, I didn’t want anyone to know.” “You want to tell me that during all the years you dated Rowan, you never slept together? You were still a virgin?” Travis asks in disbelief.

I knew Rowan wasn’t. Before we started dating, which was at seventeen, he’d previously been sleeping with anything that walked and had a vagina. When I’d told him I wasn’t ready, he understood. We planned to wait till I was ready. My biggest regret was holding out on him.

3/5 Rowan releases a groan uncomfortably “Can we not talk about this? It was years ago +15 BONUS “To answer your question, yes I was still a virgin. Anyway,” 1 paused. “I told Calvin about the baby. I didn’t want the child and I wanted to get rid of it, but he wouldn’t let me “You wanted an abortion?” Mom asks, her voice ringing with horror and disappointment.

I couldn’t do anything, but nod my head. “Calvin threatened to tell you and dad if I went ahead with my plans. I didn’t want you to know about my mistake, so I agreed to carry the baby to term and he would keep his mouth shut. It was the worst period because I was forced to carry a baby I didn’t want but had no other choice.” “That was during the time you completely stayed away.” Travis whispers. “You wouldn’t even allow us to come visit you.” I’d made excuses during that time.

When I got bigger, Calvin took me to a house his grandfather owned, which he left to him when he died. I didn’t want word to get back to Rowan. That’s where I stayed until I gave birth.

“I convinced the school to let me take online classes, and since I was actually doing well, there wasn’t a need to call you or anything. I stayed with Calvin off campus until I gave birth.” I see Mom’s eyes fill. I know that it hurts her that she wasn’t there when her grandson was born, but it was my decision and I had decided I didn’t want the baby.

“When I gave birth, I told the nurses to give the baby to Calvin. I didn’t want anything to do with him. To me, my job was done and now I could be free from the shackles Calvin tied around me when he forced me to keep the baby” “You didn’t even look at y wn child?” Mom asks.

hild?” “No. I didn’t want to. To me he was the symbol of my worst mistake. I didn’t want to see him, hold him or be in his life” 1 I know it makes me look like an absolute bitch, but I honestly don’t care. It was my decision, and it’s what I wanted. 1 I left the hospital the morning after. Calvin worked two jobs just so he could afford the bill for the hospital. I didn’t care about how the baby was. How he was doing, what he was eating, and so on.

All I wanted to do was forget that I’d had another man’s baby.

“And you continued living your life like he didn’t exist, right? Like he was nothing at all?” Mom asks, standing up. novelbin “Mom…” “Just shut up!” she yells before repeating softly. “Just shut up. Today, you’ve managed to destroy the remaining piece of my heart. As if losing your father and Ava wasn’t punishment enough, now I find out what a cruel daughter I really have…I can’t even look at you right now; I just can’t.” With that, she walks away. Leaving me sobbing on the floor.

I look at the rest, and one by one, they walk away too. Travis is the last to leave.

He shakes his head in what I think is disgust.

“Of all the people, I never expected this from you, Emma. Not you,” he says, and then he too walks away.

I stay on the ground, crying. Everything had been perfect before she walked here and ruined everything. This was Ava’s fucking fault. Her and her big mouth. I will never forgive her for this.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 103-His side of the story Calvin I wait. I wait patiently for her to come back. I didn’t know where she went, but I can take a pretty damn good guess. She was mad; I understand that more than anything. If anyone is pissed off and hurt at what Emma has been doing, then it’s me. She has caused me and Gunner more hurt than I’m ever willing to admit.

I hear the door unlock, but I don’t move. I’m not even sure what the hell I am doing here. The boys are at my house with the nanny. For some reason, I feel like I should be here.

Ava stops dead in her tracks. “Cal, I didn’t expect you to still be here.” Her eyes were red and puffy. She has been crying; that much is clear. Words honestly fail me. I have no fucking idea what the hell to tell her.

“I thought I would wait for you,” I say as she takes a seat. “Where have you been?” I knew where she went after she realized that Emma was Gunner’s mom. That was hours ago. I don’t know where she went after. I’m sure confronting Emma didn’t take almost three hours.

“I needed to think, so I just drove around,” she whispers. “Gosh! This is so hard for me. Not only because I love Gunner like my own and it kills me to watch him hurt, but also because I see myself in him.” I don’t know much about Ava. I was about two years ahead of her in school. We weren’t friends back then, and I didn’t pa ention to any girl that wasn’t Emma.

Even now, I don’t know much about her. I kept myself closed off. I felt it would be unfair to dig deep into her life when I barely told her anything deep about mine. All I know is that Rowan hurt her pretty badly. Just like Emma destroyed.

“Why?” I ask curiously.

Because I suffered the same fate as him when I was younger. I was unwanted. For me, it was nuch harder because I was unwanted by both my family and Rowan’s family. I didn’t understand why they didn’t like me. I tried so hard to get them to love me, but they never did. In fact, it got Jorse as I got older.” I didn’t know that about het. Unlike other boys who tried getting close to her so they could get close to Emma, I didn’t I thought their tactic was downright cruel Using one sister to get another was utterly disgusting “I’m soony, Ava.” There was nothing else I could say to comfort her. I don’t even know how to comfort Gunner when was he asks about Emma, so how can I comfort Ava?

“It’s okay It was a long time ago, and I’m slowly starting to heal,” she pauses. “In any case, this isn’t about me. I want to know the truth. How did Emma end up being Gunner’s mom?” I sigh. I was dreading this question. Not because I don’t want to tell her what happened, but because I don’t want to remember the painful memories, “Well, you know about my love for her from high school,” I start and she nods.

“Yes, definitely. Everyone knew it, just like everyone knew I wanted Rowan.” This was so messed up. We both somehow ended up with the people we wanted, but in the end, it turned out to be a nightmare. Both of us got hurt really, fucking badly. Maybe we should have stayed away from them. It seems like Rowan and Emma were meant to be. It’s like Ava and I got punished for getting in the way of that.

“We’ll I tried everything to get her to notice me, but she never did. It wasn’t even possible when the person I had to compete against was Rowan. Like you said when we met again, I was nerdy, Cal. There was nothing sexy about me,” I began, but Ava interrupted me by chuckling.

“Have you seen yourself in glasses? You’re like a woman’s nerdy fantasy. You probably star in ladies dreams as either a hot professor or a librarian.” I laugh at that despite mys “Maybe now, but not back then. Emma was probably disgusted with me. I mean, come on, even I have to admit I looked terrible back then. I wouldn’t have wanted to date myself” I continued.

“We finished high school, and in the summer before college, I decided to work on myself. It took a lot of effort, but I got to the point where I was actually proud of how I looked. I even started getting appreciative glances from girls.” It had been the highlight of my life at that age. It felt good to be attractive. It felt fucking great.

“I joined college and continued working further on myself I became unrecognizable I drowned in college life. The girls, parties, and booze. Life was great. I had girls all over me. I had my pick from a large pool. Soon, I started to forget about Emma. There was no use crying over a girl that didn’t want me when I could have someone else” Ava nods her head in understanding. I know she didn’t enjoy college life. Not after she fell pregnant at eighteen. She then became a mother and wife. She didn’t have time to be a normal college student with no worries or responsibilities. At least I got to have that experience before Emma appeared back in my life.

“Everything was going great until my grandfather had a stroke and became paralyzed. My grandfather raised me after both my parents died in an accident. He was all that I had given; I didn’t know any other family member alive. I changed schools so that I could be closer to him. It was easier to take care of him that way” Ava’s eyes widens as she swings her finger back and forth. “You transferred to the university Emma and Rowan were” “Yeah.” I simply answer. “I saw them around campus, but unlike before, I kept my distance. I didn’t want trouble, and besides, I had a lot going on. I didn’t have any time for meaningful relationships except for hookups, and that was totally fine with me. I had locked my heart after Emma’s constant rejection. I wasn’t willing to let anyone in” I still loved her, and it killed me seeing her and Rowan almost every day, but I accepted it. She simply didn’t want me. There was nothing I could do about that.

“My grandfather passed away, and it was the most challenging time of my fucking life. I took a few weeks off school only to come back to the news that the campus‘ IT couple had broken up. I honestly couldn’t belie Especially when I learned that Rowan had cheated on Emma. It was honestly unbelievable.” I never expected that. Everyone was sure of their love. Sure that they would stay together and get married. No one ever thought that Rowan would sleep with someone else.

“After that, Emma came back as a totally different person. It was like she was dead on the inside.

The few times you saw her outside her dorm, she looked like a fucking zombie. I wanted to comfort her, but I knew she wouldn’t let me near her. It was a coincidence that my project partner turned out to be her best friend and roommate.” I didn’t want to be involved with anyone in Emma’s life. When Molly was assigned as my partner, I 3/6 15 BONUSMy eyes shift to Ava She looks captivated Like she couldn’t even remove her eyes from mine, even if she wanted to “I tried to stay out of her way. I didn’t want to be a nuisance like I had been back in high school ! realized you couldn’t force love and Emma definitely didn’t love me” It had been a sad realization, but a much–needed one.

“You’re right,” Ava says sadly. “If only I’d realized that earlier, like you did. It would’ve probably saved me from a lot of heartache.” Grabbing her hand, I squeeze it. “Well, it didn’t work out for me… One day, out of the blues, Emma showed up at my dorm room and kissed me. It was unexpected, but it was the best kiss I’ve ever received. I thought it was a dream when she asked me to make love to her, but it wasn’t. she actually wanted me” I still remember that day like it was yesterday. She had been a virgin, and even though I’d slept with countless girls, she had been by far the best. Probably because I had feelings for her.

“I went to sleep thinking that finally it happened. That, finally she had noticed and wanted to build something with me. Only I had been wrong. We woke up the next morning, and she was disgusted with herself. I tried talking to her. I tried telling her that I still loved her, but she said. she’d been using me to get back at Rowan for sleeping with you” That was the first time I found out that the girl Rowan slept with and knocked up was Ava.

“You can’t imagine the pain that hit me. I felt crushed. I loved her with my body, only to find out that she didn’t feel a thing. That she was only using me. The betrayal I felt nearly destroyed me. We kept our distance ag hat is until she told me she was pregnant.” I’d been scared, to say the least. I didn’t know how to be a father. For heaven’s sake, I’d never even been near any babies. It was overwhelming, but I knew I loved the baby already.

“She wanted to get an abortion, I couldn’t let that happen, so I threatened her.” I take a deep breath, feeling my throat close tightly against the bubbling emotions. “I took her to my grandfather’s house. I’d hoped things would get better. That she would learn to love the baby and me, but I was wrong.” “She was hell to live with. I won’t lie to you; during that time we still had sex when the mood struck her, but it didn’t make up for the ugly way she behaved towards me. She would curse me, 4/6 15 BONUS and the baby I look at the floor. I tried to understand that she was going through a lot. That she was pregnant. heartbroker, and still in love with another man. That’s why I let her let out her frustrations on me “It was hard I wanted to walk away so many times, but then I would remember my child. Sometimes I would remember the times she was sweet, or when she cried and begged me not to leave her. I was also hurting while trying help her with her pain.

Ava takes my hand and squeezes it. Lending me her strength as I felt mine diminish.

“When Gunner was born, she refused to see him. She went back to being a stone–cold bitch. She told me she never wanted to see me or him again. I took my baby and left the hospital. I didn’t hear from her until probably a year later.

“What did she want?” Ava asks.

I didn’t want to tell her this part because I’m ashamed of it. Ashamed of how I let Emma use me for years.

“Sex.” I breathe. “She wanted sex. She said she tried sleeping with other men, but she couldn’t bring herself to. I was overwhelmed with being a single father so I gave in. I wanted the release.

The next morning, when I woke up, she was gone. She didn’t even want to see her son, nor did she say goodbye.” I continue. “It went on like that for years. She would drop by just to have sex with me. I let it go so long because I’d hoped she would change. That she would learn to love me and our son, but she was only interested in what my body could give her.” I feel sick to my stomac] tell Ava everything. I feel disgusted with myself for allowing her to use me for so long. Most of the time, I hated both her and me. Her, for hurting me and myself for being weak.

“The day Gunner saw her, he was about seven years old, and she was sneaking out in the morning. He had been awake. Gunner asked me if she was his mom. I couldn’t lie to him, so I told him the truth. She got angry because I told Gunner the truth and left without even greeting him.” I’d felt so angry and bitter toward her. So resentful because I had to pick up the pieces of my son’s broken heart.

“I called her and told her to give her relationship with Gunner a chance. When she refused, I cut 5/6 Gunner.” “I wanted a fresh change for me and Gunner, so we moved here, where I was born and raised. I wanted a fresh start with him. I just didn’t know that you would be my neighbor or that Emma too had moved back home.” “I’m sorry for everything you’ve gone through, but I’m glad you saw your worth. You’re a great guy, Cal, and you deserve someone who’ll love you wholeheartedly,” she says with a smile.

I smile back at her.

“Thanks Ava, you too deserve the world after what you went through with Rowan.” I pull her int shoulders.

arms and hug her. I feel so lighthearted. Like a burden had been lifted from my I didn’t want to tell Ava this, but I was glad when I realized that she would be my neighbor. I wanted her to figure it out. I wanted her to tell everyone the truth because I was so sick of Emma keeping him a secret. I was glad that now everyone knew what kind of woman she truly is.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 104-Something wrong with me Ava My brain cells were totally fried.

I’ve been sitting here since Calvin left about an hour ago. I asked him if Noah could stay the night at his house today and he agreed.

I was still trying to grasp all that I learnt today. It was too much information all at once. I didn’t know how to handle all of it.

My phone rings. For a second I think of ignoring, but decide against it. It might be an emergency.

I swipe the screen sightlessly. I put the gadget to my ear, but don’t say a thing. My mind was completely blank so I wait for whoever was on the other side to speak.

“Ava” she breathes. “Thank God. Are you okay? Travis told me what happened today” Immediately I recognize her voice. Letty.

“I’m not sure, honestly” I reply in a whisper.

I still didn’t understand how Emma could be so cruel to Calvin and Gunner. I know that she always wanted to carry Rowan’s children, but to reject her own flesh and blood because he doesn’t have Rowan’s DNA is downright malicious.

“Travis told me you’re the one that discovered the truth and exposed Emma’s lie” Knowing how a parent’s rejection feels like, I completely understood Gunner’s pain. I took his pain as my own because he r ded me so much of myself.

He didn’t choose Emma to be his mother, yet she hurt him as if he was nothing. That pissed me of and broke my heart at the same time.

“Yes. It was just by coincidence I guess” “How? How were you able to figure it out” she asks, her voice in disbelief.

I don’t know whether it’s from finding out that Emma has a son or it’s from her inability to understand how I came by the truth.

“His smile” I breathe. “He’s smiled at me many times before, but there was this day it just hit me 7/6 15 BONUS was young snapped in my head His smile was similar to hers “Cal never said anything before?” “Never but when I mentioned Emma’s name, he completely froze. That gave everything away.

Also the fact that he didn’t correct me” It still seems so surreal. I can’t imagine my life without Noah so I don’t understand how Emma was able to live like her son didn’t exist.

“Tell me everything” she insists and I proceed to tell her everything from how it started to how we got here.

By the time I am done, I’m crying once again. I didn’t want to project my pain, but it was really hard.

“I didn’t know where I was going until I was at Kate’s house” I tell her. I had stopped calling her mother a few months ago. “I felt so angry on his behalf and mine. I wanted to do something for him. Something no one did for me when I was little and they treated me with cruel disdain. I wanted to stand up for him and call Emma out on her behavior” It was something I’d prayed for when I was growing up. Other parents noticed how Kate and James treated me, yet they said nothing. Hell, even Rowan’s parents kept quiet and followed their friends‘ lead. No one stood up for me or what was right. So I decided to do it for Gunner.

“I understand you babe. No child should suffer through how your Kate and James treated you or how Emma treated Gunner. You were right for exposing what a bitch she is” (1 I felt so relieved. There was this part of me that felt like maybe I shouldn’t have done it. Like I could have handled it r, but I was so angry that I couldn’t even think straight. I couldn’t help it. All I thought about as I drove is; Like mother, like daughter 2I was about to say something when my doll bell rung.

“Someone’s at my door, Letty. I have to go” I felt so tired and drained. Both emotionally and physically.

“Okay. We’ll talk tomorrow. I know it has been a tiring day for you” We both say our goodnights and hang up. I consider ignoring the person on the door. Like I said, I was tired. I didn’t want to see anyone.

2/6 I slowly use up and ge open the door “Rowan, what are you doing here?” I ask in surpris I am mitpitted to see him if I am being honest, I was expecting him to be by Emma’s side, comforting her I’m shocked that he in here instead.

“Can I come in?” he asks instead of answering.

Something must be wrong with me because I step aside and let him in. He gives me a small smile as he enters my house.

“Is Noah asleep?” he asks while taking off his cont “Probably, though he’s not here. Today he’ll be sleeping over at Calvin’s” I see anger flash in his eyes at his name. For a moment I think he’s going to start a fight over Cal, but he literally forces himself to calm down. I almost clap for him at his show of control.

“Fuck. It’s crazy how today turned out.” He pauses. “How are you holding up?” I know and I’ve seen some massive changes in him recently, but today it’s just sort of hitting me hard. Before he wouldn’t have cared. In fact he would have lashed out at me for hurting Emma.

Could it honestly be possible that he has changed?

I shake my head to push away those thoughts. I’m being absurd. He had nine years to change yet he never did. It’s not possible for him to have a change of heart all of a sudden. 2 “I’m good” I say, then take a while to consider what I just said. “Scratch that. I’m definitely not okay. I feel like I’ve been scraped raw” He walks closer to me pulls me in his arms. I feel his body heat. I feel him entirely. He is hard in every place where I am soft.

I should be pushing him away, but for some reason I am not. My mind was completely empty and numb from exhaustion. If I had been thinking clearly, I would have told him to leave.

“What can I do to ease your pain? I know this must be hard for you and not just because it concerns Gunner” My heart skips a bit. I’m shocked that he understands that not all of what I am feeling right now is because of Gunner, but also because of my own pain.

3/5 415 BONUS 1 look at his feet, but he cups my cheek and makes me look at him.

“I don’t know, Rowan” I whisper.

He caresses my cheek softly. His fingers skimming over my cheek and neck. He then pushes a lock of my hair behind my ear.

His grey eyes clash with mine. He stares at me in a way that I used to dream about. He stares at me like he wants. Like I am his world, which is impossible, right?

“I know of one way to distract you” he starts. “If I bend and take those pretty pink lips, will you let me?” he ask, as my heart begins to race.

I just stare at him.

‘Tell him no‘ I whisper to myself.

Say no, Ava. Push him away I know I should, but I can’t think straight and my mouth won’t move to form the damn words.

His head descends as if in slow motion. Finally, his firm and soft lips touch mine.

Something must really be wrong with me because I slowly open my mouth and let him slip his tongue in. I close my eyes at the fiery emotions that take over.

I feel him in every fiber as our mouths mold and our tongues dance together. My legs weaken and I almost collapse to the floor, but his arm around my waist hold me up.

I always wondered what authors talked about when they said ‘earth shattering kiss‘. This was it.

My senses really hav the building because I grab the back of his head and deepen the kiss. It’s like I couldn’t get enough of him and I just wanted more. Even Ethan’s kisses didn’t feel this way.

I get lost in his kiss as he devours my mouth. This was exactly what I always dreamed of. I always wanted Rowan to kiss me like he wanted me. This what I’d wanted from him every time he came home from work or left in the morning. This was what I wanted every time we made love. We never got that though. Not because I didn’t try, but because he never wanted me.

“You tried being a descent fuck but you weren’t even good at it. Every time I was inside you, it’s Emma I wanted, it’s Emma I imagined beneath me. Every time I cummed, it’s her face I saw. You were nothing special, just easy and so I used you. I used you like the fucking slut you are” (2)

15 BONUS The words he flung at me a couple of months ago hit my head like a wrecking ball. I wrench myself from his hands, as the words play over and over in my head. Tormenting me now, like they did when I first heard them from his mouth.

I was breathing hard as I stared at him.

“Ava?” he calls in confusion “Every time I was inside you, it’s Emma I wanted, it’s Emma I imagined beneath me” I quote his words. “You were nothing special, just easy and so I used you like the fucking slut you are” “Ava” he tries again, his voice barely above a whisper.

My tears start filling and obstructing my view of him.

his “That’s what you said to me. You said I was nothing but an easy fuck and a place holder for your precious Emma” Why the hell did it still hurt? Is it because he kissed me like he wanted me when in reality we know that he never cared for me?

“Listen to me, Ava. Please” he begs, but I don’t see him. The only thing I see is his face twisted into a mean glare as he shattered my heart with those words.

“Please leave, Rowan” “No” he stands his ground. “Not until you listen to me” I just wanted him to leave me alone. I just wanted to go to sleep and forget that we kissed.

“Fine then” I turn around and take my car keys.

“What are you doing? ne asks.

“If you won’t leave, then I will.” I was just about to step into the hallway when his voice stops me.

“I’ll leave. It’s late and you shouldn’t be out by yourself” I don’t say anything. Just wait for him to leave.

He starts to and I begin breathing relief. That stops when he steps next to me. Before I can do anything, he tips my chin up and places a gently kiss on my lips then on my forehead.

5/6 I glare at him.

Instead. he gives me a small smile before he quietly leaves. The moment I hear his car leave, I lock my door and rush upstairs to my room.

After changing I get into my bed and will my tired mind to sleep. I still couldn’t believe that I kissed Rowan. It felt so damn good and that’s what scares me.

It’s easy to give in to this new version of him, but I can’t because no matter what I can’t risk getting hurt by him again and we all know if there is something Rowan is good at, it’s hurting me.

 

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 105-A note The bright light coming through my window makes me open my eyes. Instead of getting up immediately, I just stay in bed for a while as I rub my belly and feel my baby move inside me.

I look at the calendar on my bedside table and realize that today I just hit the sixth–month milestone. It’s scary to have a baby. The whole journey is filled with uncertainty. I always make sure to thank God each time I pass a milestone with my baby, knowing not all babies get to be born.

After saying a small thank–you prayer, I get up and move downstairs. I could always shower later, but right now I am hungry. With everything that happened yesterday, I forgot to eat.

Thinking about yesterday brings me to what happened with Rowan. I still can’t believe that I let him kiss me or that I actually enjoyed it.

It bugs me so much that I wanted more. I wanted him to deepen the kiss. I wanted him to take it further. I can blame it on the hormones, but we all know that I’d be lying to myself.

Rowan hurt me so much. The fact that I wanted him yesterday makes me hate myself just a little bit. I promised myself to move on, yet there I was making out with him in my living room.

I want to believe that Rowan has changed, but I just can’t. Even if, by some miracle, he has, don’t you think it’s a little too late for us? Too much has already happened for us to make something out of the mess he created.

Taking out the ingredients for breakfast, I get to work. No matter what I try, I still can’t stop thinking about the kiss. For heaven’s sake, why the hell did this kiss affect me so much? I just don’t fucking get it, honestly.

I groan in frustration, wishing I could erase the feel of his lips on mine.

“What’s got you so frustrated?” Calvin’s voice startles me so much that I let go of the eggs I was holding.

“Jeez, Cal, you scared the living day lights out of me,” I say with my hand pressing hard on my beating heart.

“Sorry,” he grins. “I thought you heard us, given Gunner and Noah didn’t really get inside quietly.” I turn to said boys to find them munching on the cookies that I had baked yesterday.

“It’s okay, I was just a little bit lost in thought.

The grin slips from his face. “Are you still thinking about what happened yesterday with Emma?” I just nod my head. It was a lie, but he didn’t need to know that I was thinking about a totally different thing.

“What are you making for breakfast, mom?” Noah asks “A fry up” I respond.

“Yes!” Gunner pumps his fist up in the air. “I love fry–ups; it’s like having all your favorite breakfast food at once.” I smile at him. So happy that he is happy. I’m hoping that one day Emma will see the error of her ways and mend her fences with Gunner before it’s too late.

“Are you almost done?” Noah asks. “I’m so hungry.” “Not yet. Just a few more minutes, and I’ll be done. Why don’t you go wait in the living room while I finish up?” “Okay,” they say at the same time, before rushing to the other room.

Cal takes the cleaning tools from me and proceeds to clean up the mess I’d made. “Sorry I brought them here for breakfast when we should have given you more time to yourself. It’s just that they insisted that they wanted your breakfast.” I laugh at that. It’s not that Calvin was a bad cook. He just didn’t make it like I did. Their word, not mine.

“It’s okay. I would have finished cooking and brought some over anyway, so it’s not a big deal,” I tell him as I get back to frying the eggs.

“How are you holding up, all things considered?” I ask him “Good.” He pauses. “I feel relieved that now everyone knows about Gunner. He’s an amazing kid, and he shouldn’t be hidden away like a dirty secret. After my grandfather died, I had no one until Gunner was born. I didn’t mind it being just the two of us, but I knew it was unfair to him given that his mother had a family. Gunner deserves to know his uncle and grandmother.” In my eyes, Travis and Kate weren’t people worth knowing, but they’d treated Noah well, so I guess it was safe for Gunner to be around them.

+15 BONUS Shit. I should really let go of my resentment towards them. They were no longer part of my life, so it didn’t matter what they did to me before.

“You’re right. Emma didn’t have any right to keep him from her side of the family” He goes to add something, but the doorbell rings. As I hear Noah’s steps running towards the foyer, I hope that it isn’t Rowan at the door. I didn’t want another brawl between him and Cal this early in the morning.

I excuse myself and leave the kitchen.

“Who is it?” I ask my son.

He shrugs his shoulders. “There was no one outside. Just this note.” He hands me the note that had my name written on the front. I feel a chill run down my back when I look at it.

“Alright, you head inside. I’ll be there in a second,” I tell him.

He nods his head and gets back in the house. Still feeling out of sorts, like I was surrounded by an air bubble of danger, I unfold the note.

YOU WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING. (5 What the hell? My heart starts pounding as I grip the note tightly. I scan the street, but I don’t see anyone or anything suspicious.

Folding the note, I tuck it into my pajama pocket. I enter my house and close the door behind me before heading to kitchen.

“What is it?” Cal inquires while looking concerned. “You look spooked.” “Nothing. There was just no one at the door.” I shrug and try to play it cool while my heart was beating hard against my chest.

“Maybe it’s a kid playing a prank.” “You’re probably right,” I mutter.

I finish preparing breakfast, and we eat to our hearts desire. Gunner and Noah share funny stories from school, while Cal shares his from work. Even as I smile and laugh, I can’t help but think about the note. 4 *18 60 Romething tells me that there is something more to it. I trust my instinets and it’s telling me that Borneone is after me My life casce again seems to be in danger

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 106-Emma."I don't know what to do, Molly," I tell her, almost in tears." They're so mad at me right now."Mom and Travis have refused to pick up my calls or even talk to me. After the disaster at the get-together, I haven't seen them or talked to them.Travis ignored me, and mom kicked me out of the house the moment the small function was over. It had been awkward as hell. Absolutely no one talked to me. It was like I didn't exist. Was this how Ava felt in the past? It fucking stinks."I kept telling you to tell them the truth, but you never listened." Molly's voice brings me back to the present.She was right. Every time she mentioned that topic, I would shut it down before she even got a word out. The moment I learned of my pregnancy, she begged me to tell them, but I refused. She's been trying for the past eight years. It never worked because I never listened to her. Sometimes I would even get mad. We would argue and then end up not talking for days."I know," I whisper tiredly.I haven't been able to sleep. I had so much going on in my head that it was difficult for me to find peace and sleep."No, you don't. I don't think you understand the kind of pain you've caused not only your family but also Gunner and Calvin. A child is a blessing, yet you treated yours like he was an omen. You hid his existence like he was nothing. I still don't understand why you did that or how you managed to do it in the first place.It was easy, honestly. I didn't want a child in the first place. It was so easy to continue as if he didn't exist and to forget about him because I never wanted him. People give up their babies every day, so I don't know why everyone is all up in my ass because of Gunner."I don't need a lecture, Molly. I need a solution on how to make my family forgive me so we can forget about everything and move on," I ground out through clenched teeth."Do you even fucking hear yourself? You don't want a lecture, but that's exactly what you're getting," she fires back. "I've supported you in a lot of things, but you know Gunner and Cal are the only ones with whom I never agreed to what you were doing to them. You're my friend and I'm going to call you out and say that you're a nasty bitch for how you've been treating your own son.""You know very well I never wanted him, Molly. I was only ever supposed to carry Rowan's child. No one else's."Why couldn't they just fucking understand? Is it a must that I love Gunner simply because I brought him into this world? It's not his choice that he was born, and it's not my fault that I feel the way I feel about him."Well, guess what? Your precious Rowan has a child with someone else, and from the looks of things, he's not planning on having any kind of relationship with you, meaning your dream of having a family with him will remain nothing more than just a damn dream." she snaps.I deflate immediately. Rowan wants nothing to do with me, more so now that he knows about Gunner.Ava has managed to make me look like the devil to her angel. She's the caring and loving mother, while I'm the evil bitch who doesn't want her own son. She has managed to ruin my perfect image. Why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut?"I love you, Emma, with all my heart, but I am glad that Ava exposed the truth. It's time for you to grow up and take responsibility. Gunner needs his mother. You've tried running away from this for a long time. It's time for you to stop and do what you're supposed to do. It's time you acknowledge that you're a mother"The thought of that brings a certain kind of panic inside me. I didn't want to think of that. I didn't want to let go of my dream of being with Rowan. I stay quiet as I fight her words in my head."Emma?" she calls.I know her; she wants me to agree. She wants me to tell her that I'll think about it, but I don't want to.I'm saved from answering her when a knock sounds on my door."I have to go, Molly. There is someone at the door" I tell her in a hurry as I walk towards said door."Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Em. This…"I hang up the phone before she can finish her sentence.Opening the door, I'm surprised to find mom on the other side. She wasn't smiling, but hope still bubbles inside me. She doesn't wait for an invitation; she just walks in."I'm going to make this short," she says, and all the hope that I had a moment ago shrinks and dies.I close the door and face her. Looking at her, I fight my tears when I notice the angry fire dancing behind her eyes."I want to meet my grandson. I expect you to properly introduce him to me," she begins. "You're also going to acknowledge him as your son and part of the Sharp family. You're going to establish a bond with him, get to know him, and you're going to include him in your life. Am I understood?"I stare at her wide-eyed. She couldn't be serious, right? Was she really going to force me to get to know him?"You can't be serious, Mom. I don't want to know him!" I shout, appalled by the idea.I've regretted him since I learned I was pregnant, so how could I turn around and try and build a life with him?The flicker of fire I had seen in mom's eyes turns into a blazing inferno. She raises her hand, and I react too slowly. The smack on my face leaves me confused for a while. Still not able to understand what just happened.I place a hand on my cheek and look at her in disbelief. She has never slapped me before. Never."You listen to me and listen well; I'm going to give you one chance to fix things with your son and the man you cruelly used and discarded, or I swear to you, Emma, I will disown you. Mark my words. You continue down the path you're walking, and I'll consider you dead to me." She pauses, before continuing."I know my behavior towards your sister may have contributed to your reasoning. It was wrong of me to ignore her and treat her like she didn't exist. I regret it every day and I won't let you make the same mistake. Fix what you've broken"She doesn't give me a chance to say anything before she walks past me, opens the door and leaves. I'm left standing staring at the spot she stood a few minutes ago.The ultimatum she gave me keeps playing in my head. Either get to know Gunner or lose my family. I know my mother and she doesn't give out empty threats. I no longer had a choice.Why did Ava have to find out the truth?My heart hardens as I think of her, and fury fills me.Fuck. I hate that bitch. She should have just kept her fucking mouth shut.novelbin

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 107-Foreboding Rowan It’s beca two days since the truth came out, and I still can’t get over the kiss.

When I dipped my head to kiss Ava, I expected her to push me away. Worse, to slap me. I can’t deny that I was surprised when she let me kiss her. That surprise soon turned into happiness and joy.

I can’t fucking believe that I went so long without her kisses. Her lips were soft, and her mouth is addictive. I could spend my entire life just kissing her, and I would be happy.

Again, I say, I was fucking foolish. Every time I denied Ava a kiss when we were married, I thought I was punishing her. I didn’t realize what I was missing out on. For that, I will always be regretful because I missed out on so many things.

I’m currently in my office, and I can’t focus for shit. I have business meetings in the next few days, yet the only thing that played in my mind is that kiss.

I feel like a fucking teenager all over again. Kissing her and then having her reciprocate was similar to the thrill of getting a first kiss from a girl. It left me excited. I felt like I was on top of the world “What has you grinning like an idiot?” Gabe’s voice interrupts me.

I look up just as he drops on the seat in front of my desk.

“Nothing” I say, clearing my throat.

“That’s definitely something. If I have to guess, then I think it’s something related to Ava I don’t say anything, but we know that he is spot on.

“So what happened?” he asks curiously.

I debate whether to tell him. Finally I give in. He was my twin. What is the use of hiding it from him?

“I kissed Ava and she fucking let me” I tell him proudly.

It felt so fucking good. Like I had achieved something miraculous. Those few minutes where she NOWR Cabe guns at one with happens “That good progress The “7 way then groan Wells was going well until she reminded something I told her and push You see, the thing about berting someone is that when you try to make amends you fight against TheInozes. You fight against the pain. You fight against the scars you inflicted.

That’s what happened with Ava yesterday. The memory of my words came back. That, along with the pain that she must have felt when I flung these words at her These two reminded her that I was the enemy. I was the one that hurt and caused her pain. Those To sredsawaning. They warned her that trusting me could lead to more pain. So she did what any same person would do in that situation she asked me to leave What do you tell her?” Ichen’t want to repeat those words, but I did. I told Gabe everything, from how Emma lied and manipulated me. To how I angrily went to Ava’s house and told her those cruel words.

When I’m done. Gabe is staring at me with an unreadable expression Toute and schot and an asshole” he says, not mincing words.

I run my hands down my face. “‘Don’t I know it” Tim not even going to bother with telling you how wrong you were. The fact that you’re beating yourself up is enough” I don’t even know how she used to stand me. I can’t stand myself every time I think about what I put Ave through. It makes me appreciate her more, knowing she tolerated me for all those years. Not a lot of women would have put up with my shit.

“On the bright side, she was receptive. That’s got to mean something, right?” he asks after a while.

I was about to agree when something hits me “What if it’s just the hormones?” I ask in panic running my hand through my hair. “Due to the pregnancy hormones, most women go through an increase in libido. Maybe that is it. Fuck.” All the hope I had shrivels up and dies. Hell. Will I ever get a chance to make things right? Is it even possible to win her back?

“I doubt that’s the only thing. We both know Ava. If she didn’t want it, she wouldn’t have let you Hormones be damned,” he tries to encourage me, but I’m not really feeling it right now.

My door opens, and Travis enters. He looks like hell. He crosses over and takes a seat next to Gabe.

“You look like shit” Gabe informs him.

Travis just sighs. “I know. I feel like it too.” Things are a fucking mess after finding out that his precious sister has a child whom she has kept a secret for eight years.

“How are things?” I ask.

“Bad. I can’t stand being in the same room as Emma right now. Mom too. In fact, she gave Emma an ultimatum. Either she builds a relationship with Gunner or she cuts her off from her life.” Both Gabe and I stare at him in shock. Never have I ever imagined that Kate would threaten to disown Emma.

Even when Ava and I messed up, she never disowned her. Sure, she and James gave her the cold shoulder, but they never cut her off. 2 “Are you serious?” Gabe speaks.

“As serious as a heart attack,” he mutters before taking a deep breath. “Anyway, I don’t want to talk about that, let alone think about it. What were you talking about before I came in?” he asks, changing the subject.

“Ava” Gabe answers.

“What about Ava?” He has the tortured look he usually wears every time Ava is mentioned. I know he now feels even worse after how he talked to her that day. novelbin “I think that Rowan may have a chance of winning her.” Gabe answers.

Travis looks confused. It’s then that I realize he has no idea about my feelings towards Ava.

“Why? Are you pursuing her?” He looks puzzled. Like he’s trying to piece things together.

“Yes,” I growl. “You have a problem with that?” 3/4 +15 BONUS “No,” he sighs Tm guessing you have feelings for her, right? That’s okay. She deserves to be happy and we all know that you were her dream.” “You’re not angry with him?” Gabe looks at me before looking at Travis I wanted to hear his answer. Not that it mattered. Even if he were pissed, it wouldn’t have changed a thing. If getting Ava means losing his friendship, then so be it.

“Why would I be angry?” “Well, because of Emma. You were the biggest supporter of their relationship.” “Yes, that’s before I realized that he may not love her anymore. When Emma came back, he acted differently. It was like the spark between them had died. It was pretty easy to see it, though he was fighting it. His actions just spoke louder than his words.” He pauses, then continues.

“It’s time we all let go of the past. All three of them–four if we count Calvin–have been suffering because of the love Rowan and Emma had when they were young. I see what neither of us saw back then. That young love wasn’t meant to be. Sooner or later. One way or another, it would have died. My advice for you, my friend, is to seize the present. I’ve learned that life is unpredictable and you never know what time you have left with your loved ones.” I’m quiet as I listen to him. There was an air of foreboding that filled the room at his words. I feel the chill all the way down to my bones.

“When did you get so wise?” I chuckle as I try to clear the heavy atmosphere.

They both chuckle, but it’s forced. I know they can both feel it in the air.

I don’t know what it is, but I had this premonition that something bad would fucking happen.

Travis was right. I wasn’t going to waste time because you never fucking know.

I’m going to go on this trip and the moment I get back, I’m going to tell Ava the truth. It was time I confessed my feelings for her.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 108-Another note Ava I haven’t been able to get the freaking note out of my head. It’s all I think about.

I wanted to believe that it was nothing but a prank, but I’m not so sure. Not when I get a bad feeling every time I read it.

I’ve thought about reporting, but I don’t want to make a big deal out of it. It was just one note. What if Cal was right and it turned out that it was just a stupid prank?

My phone rings, making me jump. I put the mop down and pick it up. When I see Rowan’s name flashing, I almost hang up, but I don’t.

“Hello.” I force my voice to sound emotionless.

“Hey, how are you?” he asks, sounding a bit unsure.

I swear, I’ll never get used to this version of Rowan. It was just so unlike him. It’s like he woke up one day and was a different person. If he has truly changed, then it’s going to take some time to get used to him.

“Did you need anything?” “Yeah. I just want to let you know that I’ll be going on a business trip for a few days,” he informs me, which makes me a bit confused.

“Oh, okay, so you wanted me to let Noah know?” Noah was at school. He will be disappointed since he doesn’t like Rowan going on trips, but he’ll understand nonetheless.

He pauses before answering. “He already knows, but I wanted you to know too.” I’m a bit stunned. Rowan never used to tell me when he went on business trips. He would leave in the morning and not come back. It’s as I set aside food for him that Noah would let me know that Rowan wasn’t coming back. He used to tell our son, but not me.

It was disrespectful. He never cared about that, though. He knew that it hurt me every time he did it, and that’s why he continued doing it.

“I really don’t see how that’s any of my business, Rowan I’m not your wife or your keeper “I try to keep the snappy tone away, but it’s hard.

Nowadays, he does something nice, and it just reminds me of the opposite action he took before.

It’s hard to forget or move past the memories that are burned in my brain.

“I know, but I thought it was a simple courtesy to let you know,” he says, slowly as if he were dealing with an unpredictable, rabid animal.

Against my better judgment, I snorted. “Courtesy? You sure lacked it when we were married, so I don’t see the need of it now.” We stay quiet after that for a while before I speak up again.

“You know what, It doesn’t matter because I don’t want to fight with you.” He sighs. “Neither do I,” he pauses. “Look, my jet is ready, but when I get back, we need to talk.

There is something I have to tell you; it’s important.” I immediately get curious. “Can’t you tell me now?” “No. It’s something that I need to tell you face–to–face” One thing about me is that I hate waiting. When you tell me something like that, then you make me wait before you tell me what you want to say, it usually wreaks havoc inside me. I’ll spend the entire duration overthinking and coming up with scenarios that may not be true. novelbin “Can’t you just tell me? I hate waiting.

“I know, but this will have to wait.” He pauses, and I hear other voices on his end. “I have to go.

Take care; we’ll talk when I get back.” Before I can say anything more, the line goes dead. I groan in frustration. Damn it. What the hell does he want to talk about?

“Ava,” the shout, brings me out of my musing.

I sigh in defeat. Now I was going to be in a weird state until Rowan tells me what he wanted us to talk about.

“In the kitchen,” I shout back.

I hear his footsteps before he walks into the kitchen. I don’t know if it’s just me, but Cal looks out 214 +15 BONUS “What is it? You’re yelling my name like it’s the end of the world.“I tell him once I realize he still hasn’t said a word.

His eyes were wide as if he just discovered something huge. I stare at him. He has a sweat shirt and sweat pants. At first I’m confused why he wasn’t at work, but then I remember that today is day off.

“Cal?” I call He shakes his head. “Oh sorry. I don’t know if this is too soon, but I wanted to ask you something” First Rowan wanted to talk about something, and now Cal wants to ask me something. With how he was fidgeting, I just knew that I probably wouldn’t like what he said.

“Okay, go ahead.” He’s quiet for a while before he takes a deep breath.

“I want to ask you out on a date.” 5 “What?” I stammer, staring at him wide–eyed.

Did I hear him right? It can’t be. There is just no way he would ask me that. We were just friends.

“Will you go out with me on a date?” He asks, this time with his a claerer voice. “I know it’s probably too early, but I think this is for the best. We could help each other get over our past hurts. It would be easy since we understand each other.” I continue staring at him. My mind refuses to function. Surely he could see that his idea was absurd, and I’m not thinking this to be mean or anything. He was basically suggesting that we should be each other’s rebound. Rebounds never really end well.

“Say something, please, Ava,” he begs once he realizes that I haven’t spoken a word.

I look to the floor before looking at him as I try to find a suitable and reasonable answer that won’t hurt him.

“You’re a really great man, Calvin and any woman would be lucky to date you…” I begin.

“But?” he prompts.

“But I don’t think this is a great idea.” I sigh. “First of all, we’ve both come out of situations that 3/4 16 BONUS isady to date The one and only time I did after my diveter From Rowan, I ended up pregnant by #

man who was playing me while he tried to have me killed Lastly, although you’re angry with Emma, I can tell that you still love her 1 fell in love with a man who loved Emma, and Rowan nearly dezuoyed me in the end I’m not about to make that mistake again” He deflates and stays quiet. I feel bad for bursting his bubble, but getting involved with him while he was still in love with Emma was bound to end in disaster. I need peace. What I don’t need is falling for yet another man who is in love with Emma.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” he says quietly before he turns and leaves through the backdoor.

“Calvin,” I call him, but he doesn’t answer.

I follow him only to find he has already crossed the threshold to his side of the yard. I sigh and get back in the house, just as my doorbell rings.

I get out of the kitchen and move to the hallway, all the while feeling a sense of de ja vu.

When I open the door, there is no one there. Just another not.

I pick it up and open it. It was smeared in what I think is blood, but the words were clear.

TIME IS TICKING AVA. HAVE YOU SAID GOODBYE TO YOUR LOVED ONES?

I drop the note in horror and look at it, willing it to disappear. I was now sure that this wasn’t a prank. Someone was targeting me again; the only question is who and why.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 109-Seeking help “What’s up, Ava?” We rarely talk. Most of the time, it’s just a message here and there. All of them consist of him letting me know he has sent a package and me thanking him for it.

I know it’s dangerous, but he’s the only one I can think of to help me right now. I won’t lie. The second note has totally scared the crap out of me.

“I need your help, Reaper,” I simply state. There was no need for small talk. Plus, from what I’ve learned about him, he doesn’t like them.

It took some time before I finally had the courage to call him. I’ve been debating whether I should go to the police or him. Finally, reason won over. The last time I was in danger, the police weren’t able to help. Reaper knew what was happening the whole time.

I reasoned that maybe he would be able to help me catch whoever was after me.

“Okay, what is it?” he asks curiously. Probably because I’ve never asked him for anything.

“Someone seems to be after.” “Oh, is it about the notes you’ve been getting?” I am shocked, but not at the same time. See? This is why I thought he would be the best person to help me. He was a step ahead of me.

“Yes,” I answer. “Do you know who’s behind it, and how do you even know about them?” I crossed my fingers, hoping that he knew. It would be even better if he was in the process of taking care of the problem for me. After all, didn’t he promise me his protection?

“I have my sources… I don’t know who’s behind them, but my source tells me that the person who leaves them usually wears a mask and a long black coat. From what he gathered, he thinks it’s a woman.” I try to think about which woman would want to harm me, but I come up short. This past few months, I’ve offended a lot of people, with Emma being the most recent. It was just hard to tell who could hold such a big resentment that they would threaten me.

“Why didn’t he stop whoever the person is?” I ask.

I mean, it’s reasonable. If you see a strange person leaving such notes, you stop them “He didn’t think much of it until the second note. That’s when he started getting suspicious” I can’t really blame him. I didn’t think too much into it until the second note, too “What do the notes contain?” “Give me a second. Let me send you a picture.” I snap a picture of them side by side and then send it to him. He’s quiet while he’s studying them.

I can’t help but think of how I could get into trouble if the police ever found out.

Reaper was still in hiding, and the police were still on his case. I took a risk with him. A risk that could put me in prison for being his accomplice and hiding his whereabouts.

In my defense, I don’t really know where he’s hiding, and we rarely communicate, but I don’t think that would be enough to convince the jury of my innocence.

“Looks like whoever it is has a grudge and wants to hurt you,” he finally says.

“Gee thanks Sherlock” I tell him sarcastically. “I’ve already gathered that…you know, with the whole say goodbye to your loved ones thing” I didn’t want to be snappy, but I was on edge. It’s scary to know someone is planning my death. It’s even scarier because I’m pregnant. If I die, my baby dies, too. I can’t have that.

“There’s not much I can gather except that,” he sighs. “Who have you offended in recent months? Who do you think could be angry enough to want revenge? Let’s start there.” “I honestly don’t know, Reaper. You seem to know everything that goes on around me, so you know that I’ve made a lot of people angry these past few months.” “Okay then. Just send me a list of those you’ve crossed, and I’ll see what I can do. Okay?” he asks.

I nod my head before realizing he can’t see me. “Okay” “Don’t worry, Ava. We’ll catch this bastard. There is no way I’ll allow him o I don’t get up from my spot on the couch There were a million things to do in the house, yet! didn’t have any energy left in me. Plus, with all my thoughts and fears, I couldn’t focus, even if I wanted to I don’t know how long I was there before I heard keys juggle and then my front door open. I turn around when I hear footsteps. Mom and dad walk hand in hand.

I smile at them. Those two were so in love that they were always joined at the hip most of the time. It was really cute.

“Hey,” I greet them as I sit up right.

Mom takes a seat next to me while dad takes the one on the opposite.

“Hey too, baby,” dad says.

“Hi, my love,” mom greets back.

I will never get used to the look of love in their eyes. It was everything for me. With them, I didn’t have to wonder or guess. It was written all over their faces.

“What do I owe the pleasure of your visit…Not that I don’t like having you guys here or anything like that.” They give each other a look before Mom turns to fully face me.

“Well, there are a few things we would like to discuss,” she says, and I nod my head.

“First of all, I just want to thank you, my darling.” She begins with teary eyes. “Ethan called us yesterday. I know he has done awful things to you, but you don’t know how good it felt talking to him. He told us that you’re the one that pushed him to get in touch with us and after thinking about it, he realized he couldn’t do without family and we are his family.” I smile at her. Ethan and I mainly communicate through letters. Only once in a while does he call.

I haven’t gone to see him since that first time, but I know that will change once the baby is born.

He or she deserves to know their father.

“It’s nothing, mom.” “No. It’s something,” she insists. “Thank you so much because I had missed my son.” I cringe at that. It’s still weird hearing her call him that, given that I’ve slept with the man. I will never get used to that.

hug her and peck her cheeks. “Anything for you guys.” We hug for a while before we let each other go. Dad waits until Mom dries her tears “What is the other thing you wanted to talk to me about?” He clears his throat. “Right. We want to introduce you to society as our daughter and heir.” I knew this was coming somehow, but that doesn’t stop my mouth from hanging open.

“Are you sure?” I stammer.

I wasn’t really sure myself, but I’ve been postponing it for so long. They’ve wanted to announce our relationship for so long, but I’ve been dragging my feet. I wasn’t ashamed of being their daughter; I just didn’t want the scrutiny that came with being their daughter.

“Yes. It’s time, and I want the whole world to know that you’re our child.” Mom says. “It’s a blessing that we were able to find you. I just want us to share that with the world.” I think about it for a while. What was the use of denying them? There were already rumors, given that Noah and I have been seen with them on numerous occasions.

“Alright then,” I finally give them my answer.

Mom squeals and literally launches herself at me. “Thank you so much. I’ll start the preparation.

Maybe we can go old school and hold a ball in your honor.” I just smile at her. We talk for a little while. It mostly consisted of her telling dad and me the ideas she has for the ball.

I want to be happy and excited, but I can’t. Not when I still don’t know who the new threat is.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 110--His confession I’ve been obsessing for the last few days over the note. I just wanted to nail whoever this person is so that I could move on peacefully with my life.

I hated that I was now jumpy and scared all the damn time. Noah has even noticed that I haven’t been myself. Every time he asks, I just tell him that I am okay when I am clearly not.

My life was so simple back when I was married to Rowan as compared to now. The only thing I worried about was whether or not he would come for dinner or if he would ever love me. I know I used to be in constant pain, but I’d pick that over dying any day.

I haven’t had a moment of peace since I divorced Rowan. An attempt on my life was made three times.

My car was blown up, my house burned down, and I was kidnapped twice. After I agreed to Reaper being in my life, I thought that things would settle down, but no… Now someone was after me. Again.

“Mom, can I go over at Gunner’s?” Noah asks, scaring the crap out of me.

I try to calm my heart down. See what I mean when I say I’m jumpy?

He looks at me funny, but I ignore it and force my lips into a semblance of a smile.

“Sure, use the back door, though, okay?” He nods his head, and I stand up. I wanted to make sure that he crossed over to Calvin’s side safely and that he got inside his house.

“Today we are going to play games. Last time I won, this time Gunner hopes that he wins,” he tells me as we walk.

“That’s good” I haven’t seen Calvin since that day in my kitchen. He has been avoiding me as much as he can. I’m not sure if it’s because he’s embarrassed or because he was hurt by my rejection. Maybe it is both.

Anyway, I’ve been giving him space because I didn’t want things to be even more awkward than they already were.

“See you later, mom,” Noah says as he crosses over to Cal’s.

After I’ve made sure he is in their house, I turn back and head into ours.

I get inside, and not even a minute later, there is a knock on my door. I approach it with trepidation. I was hoping it wasn’t another note.

I open the door and find Rowan Fuck I’d forgotten that we were supposed to talk. With everything that has happened, the talk was the least of my worries.

“Hey,” he asks, shoving his hands inside his pocket.

He looked really nervous. Again, this was something I wasn’t used to when it came to him.

“Come in,” I tell him while scanning the area.

The last thing I needed was a note arriving while he was here with me.

He gives me a look.

“What?” I ask.

“I thought you would put up a fight.” “Do you want to come in or not?” I ask in irritation.

He gives me one last look before he enters my house. Without waiting too long, I close the door afraid that someone is watching me.

I’ve become so paranoid over the past few days that sometimes it terrifies me. The sooner we deal with this issue the better for my mental state.

I take a seat in my recliner. I bought it a few weeks ago because it helped relieve my back pain. I even had to change my mattress because it made my back pain worse.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about?” I stare into his eyes. “It sounded pretty important. Is it about Noah?” He takes a deep breath before releasing. “No. It’s about us.” I stare at him, confused, wondering if he had truly lost his mind. What the hell was he even talking about, for goodness sake?

“There is no us, Rowan. You seem to be forgetting that a lot lately.” I didn’t want to do this with him. Not when I had so much going on.

“Just listen to me, please,” he pleads, his voice soft.

Something about the desperation in his voice stops me. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t want to put too much thought into it. Instead, I shut my mouth and focus on him.

He doesn’t talk for a while, as if he were struggling to find the right words. The more he takes his time, the +15 BONUS I love you, he finally says.

My mouth drops open, and I gape at him like a fish out of water. He wasn’t seated that far from me, so I reach out and feel his forehead for a fever.

Are you high? Running a fever? Or maybe I just didn’t hear you, right” He glares at me, but within seconds, his features soften. He grabs my hand, turns it, and kisses my palm in a really gentle kiss.

“I don’t know when I fell in love with you or how, all I know is that I love you, Ava. I didn’t see it back then. I was so overcome with bitterness and anger that I didn’t realize what a true gem I had married. In the last few months, it’s been hard to be without you. Seeing you in pain or hurt destroys me every time. It has taken me time to realize that I’m in love with you, but here I am, begging you to give me a chance to show you the love you deserved from me but never got o I watch completely stunned, as he gets out of the chair and kneels before me. This all seems like a dream. It’s like I am in a completely different world right now.

“Oh, Rowan,” I start, trying to make my brain function. “You don’t love me. You’ve never loved me. Emma is your one and only love. She’s the one that has your heart, remember?” Pain and regret flash in his eyes. I feel bad for him, but I know that maybe he’s just confused about things.

It just doesn’t make sense. How can he be in love with me when he hates me so much?

“You’re not listening to me Ava” he says as the pain changes to frustration.

“I am; you’re the one that’s confused, Rowan. How can you be in love with me now? You’ve hated me up until a few months ago. You have proven over and over again how little you care for me. You have hurt me more times than I can count, all in the name of punishing me for ruining your relationship with Emma. You held on to her for years, and now all of a sudden, you want me to believe that you love me?” The familiar pain creeps back up, but I force it down. I have no time or energy to feel the constant heartache.

know, and you’ll never know how much I regret hurting you, but if you could only give me a chance, I promise I’ll never hurt you again and that I’ll heal the wounds I caused.” He whispers brokenly, his eyes staring at me.

“You have to realize that just because you say you love me doesn’t make it true, Rowan. You had nine years with me, but not once did you give me a chance. I loved you with everything I was, yet you broke me with everything you had. How do you expect me to overcome that? Why would I give you a chance when you never gave me one?” I shift my eyes away from his. I didn’t want to see his pain. I didn’t want to see the regret and guilt. It was too much.

“Please” “Why now, Rowan? Answer me that. If you’re being truthful, what has made you love me now and not years ago?” I ask him.

He stares at me for a while before looking at the floor. He couldn’t answer me because he had no answer that would make sense.

I sigh. “You have to see just how unbelievable all this sounds. I’m sorry, but no. You can’t expect me to believe you love me when, for nine years, all you saw was Emma. You lived and breathed her; it’s hard to believe that in a few months that has changed.” 4 I watch as his shoulders slump. If it wasn’t for the fact that my ankles were killing me, I would be pacing all over the floor.

It only takes a minute for the heartbroken look in his eyes to turn into determination. He leans forwards and cups my cheek.

“I know this is a lot to take in, and I understand why you don’t believe me, but I am not giving up.

to you that I love you, Ava, even if it takes me a fucking lifetime to do it. I won’t stop until you’re convinced that what I feel for you is true.” His voice takes on a deep tone as he vows to me.

וויו prove He bends soon after and gives me a quick kiss before he stands up and leaves. I stay rooted in my chair, still unable to understand all that just happened.

He said he loved me, could it be true? And should I believe him or am I setting myself up for more disappointment and heartache?

Whether I believe him or not, something told me that my choice would soon be taken away from me concerning that matter.