Ch. 351..360

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 351-“What do you mean?” he asks, clearly not believing what I was saying.

Before I could answer, a knock on the door interrupted. Brian excuses himself and goes to open the door. For some reason, I’m not surprised when Rowan walks into the room.

“You’re just in time, Rowan,” Brian tells him. “Ava was just about to tell me who she thinks shot her. She believes it isn’t Emma, as the evidence clearly states.” Rowan doesn’t say anything; he just turns and looks at me. In turn, I glare at him. I was still pretty angry, but slowly my anger was starting to fade.

“Look” I begin. “It’s not a matter of belief but of proof. I saw who shot me, and it’s not Emma. In fact, I believe she’s using Emma as a scapegoat.” Rowan studies me before speaking: “You remembered something.” He says it more like a statement than a question.

I simply nod my head. Something flutters inside my heart. How did he read me so well? I didn’t even have to tell him anything. He just knew.

“Who was it?” Rowan asks almost in a pleading voice.

“Christine.” I breathe out, still trying to come to terms with the revelation. Right before I blacked out, she lowered her mask a little. Her triumphant and evil smirk is something I will never forget.” There is a moment of silence. Both Rowan and Brian have unreadable masks on, but I can tell that this new development has taken me by surprise.

“Are you sure?” Brian asks after a while.

I know for him, it’s hard to believe. Every evidence was pointing towards Emma.

Every line was pointing at her. Of course, it would be difficult for him to believe otherwise.

“Yes. I mean, think about it: there is no one in this world that hates me as much as Christine. She’s wanted Rowan for a long time, but Rowan never paid attention to her and never took her as a mistress.” Rowan glares at me for that. As much as he wanted to deny and ignore that fact, it was glaring. Christine wanted him, and she didn’t mind, even if he took her as a mistress. As long as he took her.

“That’s one thing she’s always been bitter about. She couldn’t understand why, than taking her as a mistress. We’ve had a few altercations, and it wasn’t once or twice that she threatened to make me pay. Especially after Rowan fired her because of her treatment of me.” Thinking about it, every interaction I’ve had with Christine has left me with chills and a deep sense of foreboding. The woman was batshit crazy. I don’t know how nobody ever saw that before.

Rowan was about to say something, but I interrupted him. I needed to finish this quick so I could go home and take a long fucking nap.

“Like I told Rowan, Emma might be a lot of things, but a killer isn’t one of them. I knew that from the moment you arrested her. The issue kept bugging me, and for some reason my mind knew that she’s innocent. I didn’t understand why I believed so until I got my memories back this morning.” “I don’t doubt you now, but the big question is: how did Emma’s fingerprints get you?” Brian asks no one in particular.

on the weapon that almost c I’d already figured that out, so I don’t waste any time explaining things.

“The moment Emma came back, Christine befriended her. Of course they bonded over their mutual hate for me, but I believe that Christine had an agenda. Their friendship might be how she was able to frame Emma, but in order to confirm that, you’ll need to call Emma in.” I can see the reluctance in his gaze. Finally, he sags in defeat before picking up his phone and making a call. He requests for Emma to be brought in before hanging up.

We remain in silence until the door opens and Emma walks in, an officer trailing behind her. She looks worse for wear. This is the worst I’ve ever seen, Emma.

She looked broken and lost. Like someone who’d lost everything and every will to live.

Seeing her like this leaves me feeling like a tight fist is squeezing my heart. The woman standing before me was a shadow of the girl I used to know. That knowledge broke something inside me.

“Are you okay?” I don’t know what pushes me to grab her hand and squeeze in comfort.

She looks at me, shocked and confused, before tears start filling her eyes. She doesn’t say anything, but she squeezes my hand back.

“Emma, Ava believes you’re innocent, but I need more information before I can release you,” Brian informs her, and her eyes widen in shock.

2 “I need you to think really hard, Emma, because this is important, okay?” I tell her, and she nods her head.

Right now, she reminds me of a lost little girl.

“Christine is behind my shooting, and I believe she framed you because she knew that you would probably be the first suspect because of our issues.” “W-what?” “Now I need to know: is it possible that Christine may have had access to your clothes?” I ask gently, shaking her. She’d gotten lost in thought.

“Yes,” she answered. “She has a key to my apartment. We used to hang out sometimes.” Brian takes over. “Good… and is there a way that you might have touched a gun she gave you?” She thinks for a while, and she’d just begun shaking her head in denial when she stops.

“Oh my god,” she breathes in disbelief. “That fucking bitch” “I’m assuming you remembered something?” Rowan pushes.

She nods her head. “There’s this one time a few weeks ago, I think, when she invited me to her family ranch as a way to help me get out of my head. She was giving me a tour of the house when we came across a glass case full of guns.

She told me that her family loved hunting. She asked me if I would like to hold a gun. loved the guns during the time we were practicing shooting, so I agreed.

She wore white clothes and pulled a gun out of the case. I was too lost in my sad and depressed state to notice anything weird or to question why she wore gloves yet let me hold the gun without a pair.” Damn. Christine was a clever bitch. She knew exactly what she was doing. She knew what she wanted when she invited Emma to that so-called ranch.

“Can you describe to me the gun she gave you?” Brian turns to her, his eyes shining with expectancy.

Without missing a beat, she describes the gun that she was given. When she is done, we all turn to Brian.

Sighing, he looks to the ceiling before facing us. “It seems you are right, Ava.

The gun she described is the exact same one that was used to shoot you. Only me and two of my officers know the model of gun that was used. Emma was able to describe, meaning she’s innocent, and we need to catch this Christine before she

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 352-I sigh in relief. Finally, I was able to prove that Emma isn’t as evil as others believed. My head was killing me, and I just wanted to sleep. o “Are we done now?” I asked Brian. “Can I leave? And can she be released?” “Yes. As for Emma, she’ll have to wait a little bit in order for us to process her release papers, but you can leave. I can tell you’re tired.” He had no idea just how much he was right. I felt like my damn head was about to explode and leave tiny brain splatters everywhere.

“Come, I’ll take you to the hospital first.” Rowan rises up and gives me his hand.

I am hesitant at first, but I place my hand in his. “I don’t want to go to the hospital, Rowan. I want to go home and rest.” He was about to argue when Emma interrupted in a timid voice. It was so unlike her. The changes that she’d undergone kept surprising. Emma isn’t the same girl who ran away from her heartbreak years ago. She also isn’t the same woman who came back years later. This new version of her just seemed defeated and lost.

“Can I please talk to Ava privately?” She finally asks.

Rowan turns to me, and I nod my head. I was interested in knowing what she wanted to talk about. Let’s just say my curiosity got the better of me.

They walk out, and soon it’s just me and Emma. It feels kind of weird, given that we haven’t exactly seen eye-to-eye since she came back.

“I just wanted to thank you, Ava. You didn’t have to; you could have believed I was guilty just like everyone else, yet you didn’t. I’ll always be grateful for what you’ve done for me today. I know if it wasn’t for you, I would have probably gone to prison,” she finally says after a while.

“It’s nothing, Emma. I was just doing the right thing. You didn’t deserve to go to prison for something you didn’t do.” “You don’t get it; it’s not nothing,” she announces fiercely, standing up. “After everything I’ve done to you since I came back, you could have hidden that information. You could have pretended like you didn’t know the truth. You could have kept quiet about your discovery, yet you didn’t. So I thank you for that.” I get what she was saying. If I were a malicious person, I would have done the same, but with my memory back comes the remembrance of that day she took a bullet for me. She didn’t have to, but she did anyway.

1/3 Instead of arguing, I just nod my head. I guess we are now even.

“I also wanted to say I’m sorry.” Now that shocks me, stupid. I didn’t expect that.. “I’m sorry for everything I put you through since coming back. The threats, snide remarks, and being an overall bitch. I just hated you so much, but more than that, I was jealous of you. You had Rowan’s attention without even trying, while I had to struggle to keep it on me.” “Emma…”

“No, Ava. It’s true. I behaved like a total bitch because I wasn’t Rowan’s center of attention. I should have realized that whatever we shared was long dead. I should have let go the moment I realized that his heart no longer belonged to me, instead of taking it out on you.”

I squeeze her hand, and then she continues. “I know we’ll never be best friends or anything like that, but I hope our enmity can end. I don’t want to keep hating you for something that happened a decade ago. I’m tired of carrying that burden.” I search for the place where my bitterness towards Emma used to be, but it’s completely empty. I no longer hate her or feel jealous of her. I’m at peace.

completely empty. I no longer ha “And I’m sorry, Emma.” I tell her sincerely. “I never should have slept with your boyfriend.” “I was immature, and I loved Rowan so much I could barely see straight. I shouldn’t have let my obsession go that far. I was drunk that night when it happened, but that’s no excuse. I’m really sorry; I know you probably won’t believe it, but I never meant to hurt you.” This time, she falls into my arms and hugs me, crying. I can’t stop myself when my tears start pouring. After a while, we pull away from each other.

“That’s all I ever wanted to hear you say,” she tells me, trying to master a smile.

“I’m sorry it took so long” I chuckle- cry “But you didn’t make it easy for me when you ran from this city for ten years, and when you came back, you were a complete bitch.” She laughs, and this time it’s genuine. For a while, it’s like she’s forgotten her problems.

“Thank you, Ava.” “Hey, you saved my life and that of Iris… I’ll always owe you for that.” I smile and 2/3 ལཡུས་ཝ Unable to hold it in, I yawn. I was so freaking tired.

“I should let you go; you look pretty tired,” she says, standing up.

I stared at her for a while before saying anything. “Have faith, Emma, and stay strong. Everything will eventually work out.” She nods her head, and I stand up. I open the door and leave, feeling a little lighter than when I came in.

“You’re ready to go,” Rowan falls into step next to me.

“Yes” “I’ll drive you.” “I’ll drive myself, Rowan. Besides, I’m not going to your house; I’m going to mine,” I inform him. “I’ll be by to pick up Iris and Noah later.” “Please, Ava.” He begs, his unshed tears grinding my heart into minced meat. ” Don’t leave, please.” “I need time, Rowan,” I breathe out. “I need to think. I can’t do that with you around me.” I don’t wait for him to say anything. I climb into my car, tears running down my face.

I never stopped loving Rowan, even when I pretended I did, but now I needed to make a decision. Can I truly forgive him, let go of the past, and move on with him? Or is it better to leave him and the past where they belong?

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 353-It’s been a week since I asked Rowan to give me time. He’s tried to keep his distance, but it hasn’t been easy for both of us.

I won’t lie, I really miss him. I miss being around him. I miss our talks. I miss everything about him. It’s been quite an adjustment trying to merge the Rowan I was used to and the Rowan I woke up to after my coma.

It doesn’t take genius to know that he loves me, but is it enough? Part of me wants to forgive him and move forward; the other part is afraid that the memories of the past will always be a thorn between us. I mean, how can we be happy if I haven’t been able to let go of the past?

It’s also been an adjustment for Noah and Iris. They haven’t made it a secret that they miss Rowan. Noah talks about him all the time and keeps asking when we are going to go back and live with his father. Iris has been irritable since we left.

She cries a lot and is restless. The only time she settles down is when Rowan calls and she hears his voice. The bond those two have despite Rowan not being her father amazes. It’s something else that I don’t know how to deal with.

I could go back for the sake of the kids, but I don’t want that. That is not the basis for building the relationship. If I’m to go back, I want it to be because I want to. Because I want to give us a try.

A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. Since the day I went to the station, I haven’t been out much. I’ve also just hidden myself away, withdrawing from those around me. My mind hasn’t been able to settle, especially knowing that I have to make a decision soon.

I carry a crying Iris and open the door, surprised to find Rowan’s mother on the other side.

“Hello, Ava,” she greets with a small and warm smile. “Is it alright if I come in?” I was completely speechless, so I just nodded my head instead. I take a step back and let her in.

I keep bouncing Iris up and down, trying to comfort her and get her to quiet down, but it doesn’t work. I was at my wits end on what to do.

“Is she growing a tooth?” she politely asks. “Is that why she’s crying?” I take a moment to compose myself before answering. This is a situation I never thought I’d find myself in. Rowan’s mom never liked me. I do understand her, 1/3 caused my son to lose the girl he loved. I would even be more bitter knowing it’s because of her that my son was living in a miserable marriage.

“It seems she misses her home and Rowan,” I calmly and simply reply.

She nods her head as if she understands. It’s quiet between us for a while. The atmosphere is heavy with awkwardness. I didn’t know how to deal with it. Part of me just wanted her to say what she came to say so I could relax.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” I begin. “But is there a reason why you’re here?” She takes a deep breath. “Yes. First of all, I want to apologize for everything that has happened over the years. You didn’t deserve our scorn and you definitely didn’t deserve what we put you through.” “It doesn’t matter; it’s in the past.” I immediately cut her off. The last thing I want is for us to rehash the past. I was so tired of it.

Things happened that were beyond my control. They did what they did, and there is no use crying over what has already happened. It’s not like any of us can go back and change the past.

Then why can’t you forgive Rowan and let go? The nagging voice asked.

“No, it does matter,” she breathes out. “I believe that part of the reason why you won’t forgive Rowan is because of what we did to you.” “Rowan?” “Yes, he’s the other reason why I’m here.” I sigh tiredly. I should have seen this coming. “I see” By this time, Iris had quieted down and was now struggling not to fall asleep.

She still had the stubbornness of her drawn-down eyebrows, but at least she’d stopped crying.

“I don’t think you do,” she says softly. “Rowan has become a mess without you.

He truly loves you, and now he thinks he’s lost you for good. It’s like the mere realization of that fact has made him lose the life inside him. He has become a zombie. The only time we get a reaction from him is when you, Noah or Iris are mentioned.” o It pained me to hear all this. I really didn’t think that my leaving would have this impact on him. In my head, I rationalized that yes, he did love me, but was it too much for his life to stop simply because I’d left?

I did love him. I fucking loved him even after everything, but I just didn’t know.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 354-“Sarah…” I go to say, but she cuts me off.

“We were wrong, Ava. We were wrong, and I believe that it’s because everyone held on to what could have been between Rowan and Emma that made it hard for them to move on. Looking back, I see it as clear as day. You were all still kids. If we had moved on, they would have followed suit and moved on too. We held on tightly to the past, and so they did, which caused Rowan to hurt you as badly as he did,” she pauses, then continues.

“I’m not justifying what he did, but I also want to understand that his actions were probably a direct result of how we behaved as parents.”

I understood her, but that doesn’t explain his actions later on. Yes, we married young, but we grew up. His actions and cruel acts continued for nine years.

That’s what I can’t move on from.

“I know that I’m asking you a lot, but please give him a chance. I know my son, and I know once he loves, he loves deeply. He’ll spend the rest of his life loving you and treating you like you deserve if you give him a chance. He’ll bleed on the floor just to rectify the mistakes he’s made and fix what he’s broken. I promise you, Ava, if you give him a chance, he’ll work his butt off to be deserving of the chance you gave him and to be the man you deserve. I promise you won’t regret it.” I remain quiet. Everything I’ve ever wanted is there for the taking. All I have to do is reach out and grab it, yet I am scared to do that.

“Do you love Rowan, Ava?” she asks. “Because that’s the most important thing right now.” “Yes. I shouldn’t after everything he’s done, yet I can’t stop my heart from wanting him. I should let go of the past, yet I can’t seem to.” She is silent and then smiles at me warmly. “I know why you’re having a hard time… You’re scared” I turn to her sharply.

“You’re scared of him hurting you again. You’re scared that giving him a chance will lead to more heartbreak. You’re afraid of being vulnerable because you’ve been hurt so many times. You’re simply scared to love him again” At first, I wanted to refuse, but the more she talked, the more her words resonated with me. She was right. What was holding me back wasn’t the past and 1/3 chance, I’ll end up getting hurt.

“Look, I can’t promise that he won’t do something to hurt you. Men can be clueless and stupid. But I can assure you that he won’t ever do anything to intentionally hurt you. I believe he learned his lesson when he almost lost, first to another man and then to death. At this point, he’d rather rip out his heart inan hurt or cause you pain. Love is about taking risks in the unknown. Will you let fear hold you back from grabbing your happiness?”℗ I mull it over. Everything she said was the damn truth. Could I really let him go?

And Sarah was right again: Will I let the fear of getting hurt stop me from being happy? Rowan has already shown his remorse and that he’d move mountains for; he even sent Emma to prison for fucks sake. What more confirmation do I need that he’s truly moved on from her?

But above all of that, he’s proven his love for me. Sure, he can be an asshole, but that doesn’t stop my love for him.

“I see you’ve reached a decision,” she smiles wide at me as if sensing my choice. Or maybe it’s the goofy smile I know I’m wearing.

I take my phone and shoot Rowan a quick text.

[Can we meet? I’m at home I want us to talk.] His response is immediate. I mean, not even a minute after I sent mine.

[Sure. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes.] I look at Iris and smile.

“I can take her if you want; I’ll even pick Noah up from school so that both you and Rowan can have enough time to talk.” “Thank you, Sarah. If you don’t mind” “I don’t,” she says, taking a sleeping Iris. “She’s an angel and we all adore her so much.” I nod and rush upstairs to pack a bag for her. I would get her once Rowan and I were done talking, but I wanted her to have enough diaper changes, clothes, and some toys.

When they leave, I rush to clean myself up. I haven’t put much effort lately, but today I wanted to look good.

I was just finishing when I heard a door open and close. I rushed downstairs, thinking it was Rowan, but I was dead wrong.

“Hello, bitch. Long time, no see,” Christine sneered, her contempt.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 355-“What are you doing in my house?” I ask in fear.

I could see the look of contempt in her eyes. Today she was out to get blood, and I knew it was mine she was after.

She was disheveled in a way I’ve never seen her. Behind her eyes lay a kind of coldness that scared the crap out of me. She looked unhinged as bloodshot eyes. stared at me with nothing but malice.

“Isn’t it obvious? I came for a visit,” she sneered, pulling a gun from her

waistband. “After all, I wanted to see the woman who ruined my life one last time. before I ended her miserable existence.” I take a step back with my hands raised in the air. Fuck, I knew it. She’d completely lost it. She’d just admitted that she was here to fucking kill me.

I mean, come one. She picked the worst timing. This is definitely not how I wanted to reconcile with Rowan. Plus, what if I didn’t make it out alive? From what I could tell, Christine was going to kill me.

“What are you talking about, Christin? I didn’t destroy your life.” I tried playing it cool.

I know what she meant, but I was playing dumb so as to buy myself some time.

After I’d left the police station that day, Emma had been released, and a manhunt for Christine had begun. It was during that time that they found more evidence, not only linking her to my shooting but also to other various crimes.

“Yes, you did,” she shouted angrily, waving the gun in the air. I was afraid she’d shoot me by accident. “Let’s start with how you took my man from me. He loved me, yet you couldn’t let him go because you’re fucking selfish and a bitch.

Rowan was mine, but you brainwashed him to love you.” I stand there in complete and utter shock. Did I hit my head by accident when I was getting ready for my talk with Rowan?

“Rowan never loved you, Christine.” I try to tell her gently so as not to be upset.

The last thing I wanted was to end up with a bullet because she got angry. Well angrier than she is right now.

“Of course he did. How else would you explain his behavior towards me?” She asks with a dreamy look. “He has never looked down on me; he never asked me or forced me to have sex with him just so I could keep my job. He always smiled at me, talked to me gently, and he also took me on his business trips.” 1/2 +15 BONOS I stare at her, not sure what to think. It was obvious that the woman was delusional. How was she able to fool everyone? And how the hell did she think those things equated to Rowan loving her?

“He respected me, something most men never have. He even showed how much he’s loved me by always taking my side over yours.” I wait for the familiar pain to come, but it doesn’t. I search, but there is nothing tangible. Just remnants of the pain that used to be there.

I go to speak to dispel her fantasies, but she gives me a scathing glare.

“But you just had to ruin all that, didn’t you? It wasn’t enough that you got pregnant and trapped him; you had to have him all to yourself, so you made him fire me all because you couldn’t accept that he fucking loved me!” Again, I ask, how the fuck did no one see how unhinged this woman was? She was batshit crazy, and it was now showing. It was scaring me because I was home alone with a fucking lunatic.

“Christine, please calm down,” I plead. The more she talked, the more heretic she became.

“Don’t fucking tell me to calm down,” she screamed. “You ruined everything, you stupid bitch. Why couldn’t you mind your fucking business, huh? Why couldn’t you just let things be as they were? We had everything planned out; we staged everything, and Emma would be the one to take the blame and I would be scot free, but you had to ruin that by opening your fucking mouth, and now the cops are after me.”

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 356-I knew that she’d set Emma up, but hearing her confirm it was still a shock. How can she be so cruel? Emma was supposedly her friend, yet she didn’t hesitate to throw her under the bus just to save her skin. What kind of human does that, except maybe a psycho?

“What did you mean by ‘We‘, Christine?” I ask worriedly.

I thought it was a one–woman job, but it looks like I was wrong. She clearly had help, because how was she able to pull this off all by herself?

She starts pacing as if she were agitated. To be honest, I don’t even think that she was thinking clearly. She looked to be unraveling at the seams. What I’m

not sure is if it’s something that has been happening for a long time or if something recent has pushed her to the edge.

“My uncle and I,” she answers distractedly. “He’s in what you’d call the mafia.

He’s been my guardian since my parents died, and we kept my link hidden so that I could have a normal life. But after I told him what you did and all that you’ve taken from me, he was ready to help me end you.” (2 I sigh because now I get the full picture. If I didn’t know better, her story would be believable. I’m sure the uncle thought that everything she said was true, and the fact that she believes her own story makes it even more convincing.

I’ve heard about cases like hers. Some people with mental health issues make up these worlds in their heads and end up believing in them like it was the holy truth. Christine believed that Rowan loved her, despite it not being the truth.

“What about Emma?” I pushed; I wanted to get the full story.

“What about her?” “She was your friend; why would you betray her like that?” The laugh that leaves her lips is cold, unfeeling, and full of mockery. Looking at her, I realize that we never really knew her. This was the real Christine. The glimpse she showed us was nothing but a façade.

“I was never really her friend. I never liked the bitch in the first place, but I remembered what my uncle always told me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. I needed to keep an eye on her because she was also after my Rowan. I was to get rid of her after I dealt with you, but then you survived, and I got a better idea to frame her. It worked perfectly until, like always, you had to butt your head in things that didn’t concern you.” 1/2 She started advancing, and for a moment, my life flashed before my eyes. The memories of that day came crashing into my head. I almost lost my life and Iris, and it’s because of this bitch. Soon, my fear is replaced with anger.

“Now it’s time for you to die,” she points the gun in my direction.

Before she can do anything, a knock sounds at the door. Whoever it is tries the handle, but it’s locked. She gives me a ‘what the fuck look‘. It’s like I betrayed her or something.

“Ava, it’s me; open the door,” Rowan yells through the door.

Both Christine and I freeze and look at each other. I’d completely forgotten that he was supposed to come for our talk. Christine reacts quickly and grabs me.

She pulls me in front of her and points the gun at my temple. It works perfectly since she’s taller.

“Get rid of him,” Christine snarls in my ear.

I didn’t want to because I knew the moment he left, she would kill me. I quick decision.

ake a “Call the cops, Rowan; Christine is inside with a gun.” I shouted rapidly, hoping my voice was loud enough for him to hear.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 357-“Let her go, or I swear, Christine, I’ll kill you.” In anger, she pushes me aside and starts shooting outside. “You love me! You should be on my side, not hers. You’re hurting me by choosing her.” She continues shooting. I hear a grunt and a curse, and my heart and fear spike up. What if one of the bullets hit Rowan?

Fear replaces anger, and I launch to my feet. I was not going to let her intimidate me in my house or hurt the man I loved. Enough was enough. I was done letting her push me around. It ends today.

I grab the nearest thing to me and launch it at her. It’s only after it hits her that I realize it’s a vase. I feel some satisfaction when it breaks on her head. She sharply turns to glare at me as if she can’t believe that I’d just done what I’ve done.

Before she has the chance to react, I charge and jump on her. She is taken by surprise and falls down. The gun slides from her hand, but that doesn’t stop me from attacking with a certain viciousness I didn’t know I had.

“You fucking bitch!” I yell, my anger blinding me. “You nearly took everything from me; don’t even mind me; you nearly killed my daughter, and now you probably injured Rowan. I’m gonna kill you!” “Get off me, you crazy bitch!” “Crazy? I’m going to show you crazy.” She tries pulling me off her, but she doesn’t manage to. I could hear sirens, but the sound was too far away. My focus was on the woman who had nearly destroyed my life, and all of it was because of an illusion she had.

I was just thinking of how I should take the gun she dropped and use it against her when someone grabs me by the waist and pulls me off her.

“Let me at her. I’m not done with her yet!” I scream, completely livid at the audacity.

“Calm down, spitfire.” His deep voice penetrates the haze of anger and bitterness.

It’s then that I realize that we are no longer alone. The house was full of officers, and Christine was being handcuffed. She looked terrible.

“You did a number on her, Ava,” Brian says with amusement.

She had a broken nose, two black eyes, a split lip, a missing tooth, and scratches 1/2 She was now in the hands of the police.

“You got shot.” I turn and face Rowan, remembering that I heard him grunt.

“It’s nothing but a scratch. It just took me by surprise,” he replies while I look him over, making sure that he’s really okay.

He was. The bullet didn’t do any damage, and I was grateful for that. I don’t know what I would have done if it had been otherwise.

I stare at him, and we get lost in each other. The police officers disappear. It’s just me and him.

“This is so not how I imagined us getting back together,” I grumble.

He chuckles before lowering his head and kissing me like a man who has been starved.

“Doesn’t matter, as long as you still want me,” he says against my mouth, and I can’t help smiling at his words.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 358-It’s been six months since that day, and saying I’m happy would be an understatement. Christine was sentenced to a psych hospital for life, but she mysteriously died after a couple of weeks there. Her uncle was never found, but word is he was killed, and his body was fed to crocodiles. Both cases had Reaper written all over them, but for some reason, it didn’t bother me.

These past few months, Rowan has taught me what happiness is. My heart has grown and flourished in his care, and I don’t regret taking a leap and giving him a chance.

I could go on and on about how happy I am, but words won’t even do justice to what I’m feeling. Each day I count my blessings, and each day I realize it’s possible to fall more and more in love with someone you’re already in love with.

He’s filled my life with joy, happiness, and peace. Something I never thought possible.

I look back, and I’m so grateful for the journey. Of course, things aren’t perfect, but he’s patient with me, and therapy, both individual and couple, has helped a lot. Something still comes up once in a while, and he sometimes does something that pisses me off, but we’ve learned to work it out. 4 This was needed. I know some may not understand, but I think all the pain both of us have been through was meant to bring us to where we are now.

Everything happens for a reason, and our time wasn’t back then, but now. We both needed to grow up and grow into our feelings before making something out of them.

We both needed to let go of resentments and pain. We both needed to be in a healthy space for us to flourish. Where we are now is conducive for our relationship to grow. I don’t think that would have been the case had we tried this years ago.

I also realized that me being with Ethan and him being with Emma also helped.

To a point, it showed us our true feelings. Something that we’d both tried hiding and burying. With Emma, he learned that his love for her was dead and that he actually wanted me. With Ethan, I learned that my heart will always want Rowan, despite what he did. 2 It also helped me get out there. I never got the chance to explore or date other men. It proved to me that I didn’t love Rowan because he’s the only man I’ve known. It proved that I wanted him because I truly loved him.

“Are you ready?” His voice makes me jump, since I’ve been lost in thought.

1/3 “You scared me.” I turn towards him.

He wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me to him before kissing the breath out of me. For a moment, I think about abandoning our plans, but this is something that he’s been planning for a while.

“Are you too ready?” Noah asks excitedly while holding Iris; she was busy bubbling in baby language.

We are going to be late.” Iris was about to turn a year old, and we were all excited. Her bond with Rowan still amazes me. She calls I smile with fulfilment. Pa while calling Ethan Dada.

and happiness when I remember when she gave both men their names. They both literally cried. It was a sight that will forever be etched in my head.

“Fine, let’s go,” I tell Noah, who was already distracted by his sister. He was making faces at her, making her laugh her little heart out.

We leave the house and get in the car. The car ride, as always, is full of chatter and laughter. Around forty minutes later, we get to the restaurant that Rowan had booked for our family dinner.

Getting out of the car, we Owards it, with Rowan holding Iris.

Immediately, my suspicion meter reaches critical heights. Rowan seemed nervous, while Noah while Noah was completely excited. Like he couldn’t keep it inside him.

We get to the door, and Noah opens it. I almost die of a heart attack when everyone; Our friends and family, jump out, screaming, ‘Surprise’ I was confused. It wasn’t my birthday the hell was going on.

or anything, so I didn’t understand what “What’s happening?” I asked with a nervous chuckle.

Noah grins widely before turning me around. I gasp when I find Rowan on bended knees.

Rowan I watch as confusion, happiness, and joy play behind her eyes. Tears fill her eyes, but they don’t fall as she struggles to keep them away.

I take her shaking hand and kiss it.

“Ava,” I begin. I was a nervous wreck. “You brighten my days, and a part from Noah and Iris, you’ve been the best fucking thing to happen to me. I didn’t know what true love was until I fell for you. I don’t know when or how it happened, but 2/3 ཚེ། through a lot, most of it because of the shit I did, but here we are, and I’ll forever be a lucky bastard because you gave me another chance.” Fuck, I was bad at this, that thought was quickly erased when I saw her love for shining.

Noah giggles at that. I’m sure I’ll hear about it later from him about how I called myself a bastard. It makes me smile as I focus on Ava.

“I promise to love and cherish you each day of my life because I can’t and won’t ever stop loving you. I believe our love is the impossible kind because it has stood against all odds. We’ve made it work, and nothing now can stop us from reaching our happily ever after. I’ll love you no matter what, through your ups and downs, through heartache, and through healing. I’ll be there, Ava, every step of the way.’ I am a nervous wreck as I pull out the engagement ring Noah helped me choose. Part of me is afraid that she’s going to say no. That one day she’ll decide that she can do better than. I’m still afraid that she’ll leave me, even though she has done nothing to make me feel that way.

She falls kneeling down as she stares between the beautiful diamond ring and me. “I want to spend the next fifty years with you… Will you marry me?” I try to hide the nervousness in my tone.

“How about we go for seventy?” she asks instead.

Fuck. I was happy beyond words.

“Is that a yes?” The tears she was holding back fell. “It’s definitely a yes.” Happy shouts ring out as I place the ring on her finger. Once it’s done, I lift her up, swing her around while kissing her.

“I love you so much, Ava,” I whisper against her lips.

“I love you too,” she replies. “Always” Hey, Loves, we’ve finally reached the end of Ex-Husband’s regret. I want to thank everyone who gave this book a chance. I know it’s long. It’s the longest one I’ve written, but thank you for sticking it out with me from the start to the finish. You are the best readers an author can have. Thank you for the love and support.

You’ll still get some glimpses of Ava and Rowan in Gabe’s book, but we’ll not be focusing on them. The first of Gabe’s book will be out in about two weeks, since I’m just putting the final touches on the plot.

I hope to have you as we begin Gabe’s journey, where, like I said, we’ll also get Reaper and Connie, and then after we’ll continue to a separate book about Noah and a side story on Gunner. I hope to see you in the next chapter.

I wish you a great weekend ahead, and I would love to hear your thoughts. Take care and stay safe

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 359-Hey, Loves, we’ve finally reached the end of Ex-Husband’s regret. I want to thank everyone who gave this book a chance. I know it’s long. It’s the longest one I’ve written, but thank you for sticking it out with me from the start to the finish. You are the best readers an author can have. Thank you for the love and support.

You’ll still get some glimpses of Ava and Rowan in Gabe’s book, but we’ll not be focusing on them. The first chapter of Gabe’s book will be out in about two weeks, since I’m just putting the final touches on the plot.

I hope to have you as we begin Gabe’s journey, where, like I said, we’ll also get Reaper and Connie, and then after we’ll continue to a separate book about Noah and a side story on Gunner. I hope to see you in the next chapter.

I wish you a great weekend ahead, and I would love to hear your thoughts.

Take care and stay safe.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 360-Ava It’s been a couple of days since Christine tried to kill me. I won’t lie, I’m still a bit shaken up. Once the adrenaline lowered, I crushed and bowled my eyes out. I didn’t understand how someone could be so evil, so cruel, and all because she blamed me for things that weren’t even in my control.

After she was arrested, a warrant for the arrest of her uncle was sent out. Deep down, I knew they would never find him. Not alive anyway. How did I know that?

Well simple. I got a call from Reaper. He simply told me that I would never have to worry about him. That translated to he’d kill him once he found him.

Does it make me a monster that I don’t care? Maybe my association with Reaper has turned me into a cold blooded psychopath. I didn’t care whether he lived or not; in fact, I hoped Reaper would make him suffer before finally ending his miserable existence.

As for Christine, I wish nothing but the worst for the bitch. She almost cost me my and my daughter’s lives. There was no way in hell I was going to forgive her for that. I hope the slut has a hard time in prison; I hope she suffers; I hope she dies a very painful death; and finally, I hope that her dark soul burns in the fiery pits of hell.

Thinking of what she did just pisses me off, but at the same time, it keeps my mind from overthinking. It keeps me from dying of nervousness and anxiety.

A knock on the door speeds up my hate rate. The control I’d gained on my anxiety slips.

I rub my sweaty hands against my jeans-clad thighs before walking towards the door. I wrench it open, coming face-to-face with twin grey eyes set in a very handsome face.

“Hi,” I squeak out like a choking chicken.

Damn, I feel like a nervous mess, not to mention that I am embarrassed.

“Hi to you too,” he gives me his blinding smile, and for a moment I forget even my name.

Damn him.

Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I move to the side and usher him inside.

Things didn’t go as I wanted last time, so I postponed our talk.

The house is currently empty except for us. Noah and Iris were with my parents.

I needed to be focused on Rowan when we were having our talk.

“How have you been?” he asks while taking his coat off.

He places it on the back of the sofa before rounding the sofa and taking a seat.

“Nervous, but other than that, I’m good,” I answer, taking my seat on his opposite side.

“Nervous about? Is it because of Christine’s approaching court date?” He tips his head to the side as he asks, studying me intensely. “I can assure you that you have nothing to be nervous about. Christine is going to get what she deserves.” “It’s not that.” “Then what is it? Talk to me, Ava.” I take a deep breath. I’ve practiced what I was going to tell him over and over in my head, but now that he is here, no word will form, and nothing is coming out of my mouth.

“First of all, I want to apologize to you,” I begin. “Looking back, I realize that I’ve never said how sorry I am.” “You have nothing to be sorry about,” he says.

“Yes, I have,” I insist. “I’m sorry that my actions back then cost you the love of a good woman and the life you two had planned. I’m so sorry that my obsession with you nearly destroyed you, Rowan. I’m sorry that I tore you and Emma apart and I’m sorry that I never sympathized with your pain at losing her.” My eyes fill as I try my best to push back my tears. This was so damn hard.

He’s quiet as I continue. “It took time to realize that, in a way, I was selfish. I only focused on my pain without truly realizing what I’d cost you and what you were going through. For heaven’s sake, you turned to alcohol and drugs to deal with your pain, but even then, it didn’t really register to me the extent of your pain and hurt… You’ll never know just how sorry I am, and if I could go back in time, I would do things differently. For starters, I wouldn’t have been a menace or a stalker,” I cry-chuckle at that last past.