Ch. 51..60

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 51-Betrayed Ava I stare. My heart beating erratically and my mind racing. How the hell did I get here? How the hell did I not see this coming?

I was frozen. Mortified. Unable to utter a fucking word. My world was crumbling down around me.

Shattering into pieces.

‘Boss‘ That one word kept playing in my head. Driving me to the brink of madness then back. All this time. Wondering. Guessing. Searching. My enemy was right under my fucking nose.

“What the fuck is going on” the angry shout pulls me back to this painful reality.

I turn behind me, only to be shocked Letty was tied to a chair. She looked afraid and pissed off at the same time. She was bleeding from her head. I guess the bastard that kidnapped us hit her on the head too.

I had been so occupied with my fears of dying and trying to get out of this situation that I didn’t notice that she was here. In my defence, she was behind me. I didn’t expect anyone behind me.

“Isn’t it obvious? I kidnapped both of you” our kidnapper says.

“Why would you kidnap her when I’m the one you wanted?” I ask looking down.

I didn’t want to face my betrayer. It was too painful to look at the familiar face.

“It wasn’t in the plan, but then I saw her outside breathing the fresh air. She is related to your family and I knew I could fetch more money if I keep her for ransom” he explains with a shrug.

It kind of made sense. She was Travis‘ girlfriend and from what I know he’s madly in love with her. He would do anything to get her back including paying the ransom money.

“I don’t get it” Letty begins. “Then what is Ethan doing here? Is he here to rescue us?” She asks hopefully. 2 His name drives a sharp sword into my heart. Why me? I thought that I had finally gotten a good man. That everything was falling into place, but this? I never expected this to happen to me.

Letty asks again.

Our kidnapper laughs and answers for me. Something that I couldn’t do myself.

“Save you? Ha!” He laughs again. “He’s the one that hired me to kill Ava!” I hear Letty gasp. I close my eyes at the pain that assaults me. Thinking about it. Guessing about it and actually hearing it is two different things.

I had hoped that there was an explanation. That maybe he had an evil twin brother I didn’t know about. The fact that he hasn’t said anything proves that everything his minion said is true.

I sag against the chains. They were the only thing that were holding me up right now.

How am I supposed to deal with this kind of betrayal? How am I supposed to look him in the eye knowing very well that he wanted me dead.

All these months, were they all just a game to him? Toying with me and my feelings while he planned on the best way to kill me.

“That’s impossible. Ethan is one of the good guys” Letty defends him, her voice shaking.

I didn’t want to believe it, but the truth was staring us straight in the fucking face.

Ethan has been playing me for months. Leading me on, getting into my head and my fucking heart knowing very well that he wasn’t going to stay.

It fucking hurt. Nothing compares to what I’m feeling now. Not even when Rowan broke me did it hurt as much as what Ethan has done.

Couldn’t he have just killed me without getting close to me? Without making me develop feelings for him. That would have been kinder than what he did. This was downright mean and cruel.

How sick in the head was he? To make the person you want dead fall for you? He slept with me, listened to my worries and made me hope for a future he knew wasn’t going to happen.

“Now that you’re here boss…would you like the honours or should I do it?” The man asks grinning while giving the knife to Ethan.

I finally look at him. He wasn’t looking at me though. He was looking at the man he hired to kill me.My breath catches when he takes the knife from him.

“Why? Just answer me that” I finally get the courage to ask him. “Why make me like you if you were only using me? If you were planning to kill me. Why pretend? Why sleep with me? Why Ethan?” I ask him brokenly.

I couldn’t stop the tears that streamed down my face. His eyes were cold as he looked at me. No trace of any warmth. I felt like a piece of meat. Beaten to a pulp and then tossed aside. It physically hurt to look at his beautiful blue eyes.

Eyes that hypnotized me from the first time I saw them. The day he knocked on my door after I had been shot. Was that day also planned? Did he plan the whole thing?

More pain tears through me at that possibility. That he staged everything to make himself look like a hero just so I would let my guard around him. (3)

“You don’t have to answer the bitch Boss…she’s going to die anyway” the man sneers in my direction.

They probably laughed at me a million times. Making fun at me for being so stupid and gullible.

Letty screams when Ethan pulls out his gun and shoots the bastard right on his forehead. His blood and probably brains splatter on me but I don’t scream. No sound comes out of my throat.

He turns the gun on me. Pointing it straight in my direction.

“Ethan, please don’t do this…this is Ava! You have feelings for her, remember? I don’t care how things started but I know that things changed along the way. There is no way you were faking the novelbin looks you gave her” Letty pleads on my behalf, but I’m just so fucking tired.

“Do it!” I ground out.

“What the hell are you doing, Ava. Stop it. Stop pushing him” Letty screams at me, but I ignore her.

He doesn’t do anything. Just stares at me with nothing in his eyes. All the emotions I used to see there is nowhere to be found.

“Fucking do it, Ethan” I scream, as my tears fall down my face.

I watch. My heart breaks into pieces as he moves his finger on the trigger. I want him to end it. To end all of it, because being dead was better than facing the pain that was slowly destroying me on the inside. 1 I close my eyes just as I hear a shot ring out in the empty space.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 52-A girl named Nora. Ava “Fuck” ine grunted shout makes me open my eyes.

Ethan was holding his shoulder, which was bleeding “Drop the fucking gun Ethan or I swear I’ll blow your brains off” Rowan’s angry voice penetrates my foggy brain.

He’s the last person I want to see right now. Mainly because I’m ashamed. He tried warning me, but I didn’t fucking listen to him.

“I have the whole building surrounded, Ethan. You’re outnumbered” Rowans adds.

Just then I hear police sirens and sigh in relief.

Ethan lowers his gun, before putting it on the ground. His eyes are locked with mine. I want to pull them away, but I can’t. I want to be reminded of what a fool I’ve been this whole time.

“Ava, darling look at me” his voice pulls me from Ethan’s cold gaze. It’s only then that I realize that Rowan was standing in front of me. 2 Seeing his face up close brings tears to my eyes. The last words he said to me two months ago still rings in my head.

I keep my eyes on him as he unlocks the chains. He was my anchor right now. Maybe if I focus on him, I won’t drown in the treacherous water of pain.

“I got you” he whispers softly, his voice full of kindness.

He hugs me to him and I have to fight back the tears that threaten to fall. My eyes collide once again with Ethan. He was on the ground and the police were cuffing him. His wound was bleeding, but no one seemed to care.

I watch as they take him away. My heart breaking at the loss of a future I thought we had together.

“Are you hurt?” Rowan asks me, pulling me away from his warmth.

I felt so cold now. So chilled. I not only felt the coldness on my skin, but it seeped into my “Ava?” I shake my head at his question. My mouth refusing to work. Refusing to say a single word Maybe if I just pretended, everything will go away. Maybe I’ll wake up and realize it was all just a terrible.

dream Nothing registers in my mind. I see Rowan’s mouth moving but I can’t hear a thing. I see Travis walking with a shocked Letty and Gabe walking in with some of the cops. It still doesn’t register.

Nothing does.

I was numb. Or maybe I was beyond numb. I was completely broken.

Why did he do this to me? Why go through all the trouble to get to know me if he was always planning to kill me? It didn’t make any sense at all.

The more I thought about it. About us. The more I died inside.

I felt us moving. Rowan’s hand around my waist. Supporting me. I was so lost in my head and my pain that I didn’t realize we were even in a car until we hit a bump in the road.

The car ride didn’t take long. We were soon parking outside the police station.

Brian greeted us and led us inside to take our statements. I don’t remember all the things I said or how long I had zoned out.

“Ava…” Rowan shakes me gently.

I turn to look at him, only to find that we were in a white room. It wasn’t just us, Travis, Gabe, Letty and even Emma were all present.

Letty had a bandage wrapped around her head. I touch my own and find one too. I didn’t even know when it was done.

“There was an ambulance at the warehouse. They checked you and put on the bandage to stop the bleeding. Other than that, everything seemed fine“. Rowan said as if he had read my mind.

“What is she doing here?” I ask, pointing at Emma.

The last thing I needed was Emma witnessing my pain.

No one answers. They all just look at me in sympathy. I look at the floor, unable to face them. I was just about to ask all of them to leave, when the door opens.

2/6 look back up. Ethan and Brian walk in.

Ethan was still handcuffed, and his shoulder was bandaged. At least I think it was, since it was no longer bleeding.

“Sa, you requested to hear from Ethan and here he is. Maybe he can tell you why he fooled everyone including our entire department” Brian says tiredly.

“He hasn’t said anything?“Travis asks, pulling Letty who had tears in her eyes, closer. novelbin I know how she must be feeling. I introduced her to Ethan, and we even hung out all three of us together a few times. She must also feel betrayed like I was.

“No, he refuses to say a thing” Brian shakes his head.

I turn to face Ethan only to find him staring intently at me. His emotionless gaze sucked me in right away.

“Why? Why did you do this to me, Ethan?” my voice trembled as I spoke.

He stares at me. His cold gaze burned me. Gave me frostbite. I still don’t know where all the warmth he used to have went. Did he have a switch for his emotions, and he could just flip it on and off when he wanted it? Or did none of it exist? If that’s so then he was one hell of an actor.

“I wanted the company.” He simply said.

I was shocked that he had actually answered. I didn’t expect him to The shock is pushed back as what he said, registers. Soon, my surprise turns into confusion.

“What company?” I ask I didn’t have a Company. I invested in Companies, but I didn’t have any of my own, like Rowan. The only thing I had was Hope Foundation, and I don’t see someone like Ethan being interested in an organization for helping children.

“What company are you talking about, Ethan?” I push when he doesn’t say a damn thing.

I needed to know what made him play me like that. What was so important that he would pull such a hurtful stunt.

“I wanted your grandparent’s company…I worked so hard for it, so it’s only fair that it was given to me” he said leaving me more confused.

“You’re not making any sense.” I laugh humorlessly. “You did that for a company that I have no nights to If you wanted that company so bad, then you should have gone after Travis given it was left in his name” Travis giares at me, but I don’t care. Everyone knows that my grandparents and father didn’t leave me a dime. I didn’t even have shares in the family company like Emma did.

Ethan sighs tiredly before proceeding to unleash chaos. “I’m not talking about the Sharp’s. I’m talking about your real grandparents“.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Travis booms. “Don’t listen to him, Ava. It’s probably bullshit” I keep quiet not agreeing with Travis.

“It’s not bullshit. I’m telling the fucking truth” Ethan grits out before turning to me. “Tell me deep inside you’ve never felt that they aren’t your family. Tell me you’ve never doubted that you are truly a Sharp” I want to deny his claims, but I can’t. I’ve doubted it so many times that I once thought of having a DNA test.

The way my parents and grandparents treated me since I was a kid was just so different from how they treated Travis and Emma. I was always an afterthought. No one important to them. My needs and happiness always came last.

My grandparents used to buy Travis and Emma toys and treats when they came to visit. I usually got nothing. No hugs, no kisses. I got nothing but coldness and indifference from them. I never understood why they were like that. It made me question if I was truly one of them.

“You can’t say anything because deep inside you know the truth. You know the Sharp’s aren’t your family. That’s why you never felt like one of them” Ethan concludes when I didn’t say anything.

I look away. I didn’t want any of them to see the truth in my eyes. To see the biggest insecurity I’ve had for a long time.

“So you really didn’t see us as your family?” Travis asks in a small voice.

“Does that surprise you?” I fire back. “I was never treated as part of your family. I was always the outcast. The one looking in at the happy family while I was out in the cold” “Oh please, save us the pity party you have for yourself” Emma interrupts, sneering.

“What the hell is she even doing here?” Ethan and I ask at the same time.

I look at him before quickly pulling my gaze away.

“She’s your family, Mrs. Sharp” Brian says as if it makes sense.

“I don’t know what drugs you’re smoking, but no one in this room, except for Letty, is my family So I would prefer if they left, especially Emma” I feel Rowan tense beside me, but I don’t give a damn. What I said is the truth. Family cares for you and no one here except Letty has ever cared for me.

“Can we just get back to Ethan?” Gabe asks after a while Ethan shrugs. “I’m going to tell you a story about a girl named Nora” he begins “Nora came from a middle class family. Her father was a preacher and both he and his mother were staunch christians. She was raised to follow God and the bible religiously and she did until she met a boy. Theodore was his name, though he preferred being called Theo.” We were all entranced already as we listened to him. I had no idea where the story was going, but it was all intriguing.

“They met when they were eleven and even though she tried staying away from him, she couldn’t.

They started out as friends then started dating at thirteen. Nora knew that it was against every teaching she was taught, that her parents would kill her if they found out, but she was in love and she couldn’t let go of Theo and neither could he.” “She thought it would be simple. Hide her relationship with Theo until they graduated high school. She planned to apply to a college far away from home, that would give her the freedom to be with Theo the way she wanted. It was supposed to be easy and everything was working out well until the unthinkable happened” He takes a deep breath before continuing. “Nora got pregnant at only fourteen. Theo was supportive and he was going to take responsibility because he loved Nora, but her parents found out. Her dad in particular went ballistic. He wanted her to get rid of the baby. Nora couldn’t do that to her child, so when she refused, her parents kicked her out” The more he talked, the more my heart got heavy. I don’t know why, but I just felt like what he was telling us was going to change everything. I don’t think I’m ready for any more changes.

“You see, Theo’s parents were kind and they were also fucking rich I’m talking about owning a whole damn city, kind of rich. After Theo explained everything to them, they understood. They were disappointed in their son, but they took Nora in none the less.” “Even though they were young, they decided to keep the bab. Her pregnancy progressed well and her parents came to their senses when they realized they could benefit from this, after they found out who exactly got their daughter pregnant” Damn, what kind of parents did Nora have? I ask myself. Using your daughter simply because you found out that they boy that got her pregnant was from a rich family was despicable.

“A few months later, the parents showed their true colours. They demanded to keep the baby.

They thought they could use their grandchild to get monthly payments for the baby’s care. Nora, Theo and his parents refused. It caused a big fight and to make them back off, Theo’s parents promised to make a huge donation to their struggling church” I watch as Ethan narrates the story. There was still no emotion in his eyes. He was like a robot.

Just narrating facts.

“Nora went into labour unexpectedly. The baby wasn’t due for another month, so no one expected her to go into labour. Theo couldn’t get to the hospital in time and his parents were on a business trip. It was a long and difficult labour. When she finally delivered, there wasn’t a cry. She immediately knew that something was wrong. Given how young tired she was, she couldn’t stay awake, that, combined with the amount of blood she lost made her lose consciousness” “When she woke up, she was given the most painful news. Her baby didn’t make it. She was a still birth… You can imagine how painful it was for all of them, especially for Nora and Theo. It was the worst kind of pain losing their baby, a baby they had been looking forward to holding” I swallow. Dread filling up every square inch of my body.

“Why are you telling us this?” I choke out in fear.

“I’m telling you this because, Nora and Theo are my parents” he pauses, but his next words bring me too my knees. 1 “More importantly, they are your parents too. You’re the child Nora was pregnant with when she was fourteen. You’re the baby that supposedly died during childbirth” 13

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 53-Not siblings I sit next to Rowan frozen. My mind unable to comprehend what Ethan just told me. First of all James and Kate Sharp weren’t my parents. Second, he claimed to be my brother.

“What?” I scream as the impact of his words finally sink in. “You slept with me knowing you’re my brother? That’s fucking disgusting“. <

“You slept with him? Why would you sleep with him?” Rowan boom, a dangerous aura filling the room. Suffocating the atmosphere around us.

I give him a withering look. “That’s none of your business“.

My thoughts were occupied with Ethan’s revelation. If what he said was the truth, then it meant I had sex with my brother, and he had sex with me knowing the truth.

I felt bile rising up at that thought. Feeling utterly disgusted. What kind of a sick bastard does that? Why would you sleep with someone knowing very well that you were blood related?

The more I got to know about Ethan, the more I wondered if he had been acting all along.

“You aren’t my sister” Ethan speaks up.

“But you just said that Nora and Theo are your parents” I point out.

“I told you I was adapted. That part was true. They did adapt me after my father was killed. We aren’t blood related, so we didn’t commit incest.” He smirks then winks “I can however say, I loved it every time you screamed my name” I am mortified. My cheeks turn pink, and I look down.

Even if we weren’t blood related, it didn’t make what he did right. If he’s telling the truth then he shouldn’t have slept with me at all.

I feel Rowan tense beside me, but I ignore him. It didn’t make sense why his hands were fisted and his jaw clenched.

Brian clears his throat. The sound cuts through the tense and awkward atmosphere.

“If you said Nora’s baby died, why then are you claiming Ava is that baby?” Brian asks, bringing me back to the present., 1/5 “Yeah it makes no sense Gabe adds It was true. There is no way Nora and Theo are my parents. If the doctors told them that the baby died then that’s probably true. Besides, he did say that the baby wasn’t responsive after birth, and Nora witnessed this herself before she passed cut “That’s what they she believed. She even held a small ceremony and buried the baby. It was months of heartache for the two of them, especially Nora. She fell into depression and had to be admitted to a psychiatric facility Ethan explained “She wasn’t the same after that news. It’s like she lost the will to live and wanted to follow her baby to the grave. Years passed and still she was struggling. Her grades dropped and she graduated late because she failed her classes. Theo was with her throughout, but it was killing him to see the gurl he loved suffer” I don’t know the woman, but I was a mother, and I knew how painful it would be for me to lose Noah. I can’t imagine the pain of anticipating the arrival of your baby only to have them taken away from you. It would have killed me “It took time, but with the love and support of Theo and his parents, she was able to pull through They got married when they were twenty two. Everything was falling into place. She was ready to try for another baby. Her hopes were dashed when she was told she couldn’t get pregnant. The doctors from when she was a teen failed to tell her that the difficulties of her labour at such a young age had caused permanent damage to her womb.” “After knowing she couldn’t have children, it broke her, but she decided to adapt. That’s when they got me. They gave me everything including their last name” I remember when he talked fondly about his parents. The love he had was immeasurable.

“So how does Ava fall into all these?” Rowan asks, his eyes glaring at Ethan “My grandparents died in a plane crash, but I came to know that they had been looking into the matter about their granddaughter. Turns out they believed there was foul play. They didn’t tell Nora and Theo in case their belief turned out to be nothing. It was around that time I came to know that they had a hidden clause in their will. One that Theo didn’t know about. Everything.

including their company was left to their granddaughter in the event Theo retired or God forbid, died. The family lawyer knew about their search and the clause.” He continues. “I couldn’t allow that. I had worked for that company since I was twenty five. I rose search and imagine my shock when I found out that they were right. There was foul play. Nora’s parents paid the doctors and nurses to fake everything, including the death of Nora’s baby” I just continue watching him. Listening to him as everything unfolded.

“They thought it would be an embarrassment if their congregation found out that Nora had gotten pregnant out of wedlock. When she was pregnant it was easy to hide ‘the sin‘ their daughter committed since she never left Theo’s estate, but once the baby was born, things would change. It isn’t easy hiding a baby, so they paid to have the death of their granddaughter faked and then offered her up for adoption” “My search led me to you. I knew I had to take you out. If you didn’t exist, then the clause was null and void. I came here and after asking about you, I got a whole lot of information. Given how people hated you including your husband and family, I thought I would be doing them a favour.

After all, a woman who would steal and trap her sisters boyfriend couldn’t be someone worth knowing or good for that matter” My breath catches at that. I still can’t believe that same man that assured me that the night with Rowan nine years ago wasn’t my fault, is the same man that thought just for that I didn’t deserve to live.

I try to breath in through the pain, but it’s fucking hard.

“I have to clarify that the first attempt on your life wasn’t on me, but I took the opportunity. I saw a chance to get close to you and I took it. What better way than to be a hero to get you to trust me. It worked and you opened your door to me.” Fuck, it hurts so much. To know he played me from the beginning and I was too blind to see it, just tears me apart.

“Why would you need to get close to me if you had already hired goons to kill me?” I whisper.

That’s what I wanted answers to. Why get to know me if he wanted me dead.

He shrugs. “I thought it would be fun to toy around with you and pay you back for being a terrible person. You were so trusting and gullible, it made things easy for me. Besides that, getting to know was my my plan B. In case those I hired failed, then it would be easier to kill you myself if I was close to you.” I look down and clench my hands. I felt like a fucking fool. Here I was developing feelings for him while all the while he was planning to destroy me.

“It was supposed to be easy, get to know you then destroy you. I didn’t count on he stops before he can finish the sentence. His eyes roaming the room before landing on me.

For the first time since we found the truth, something passes in his eyes Guilt? Love? I can’t tell because it was too quick for me to read into it. He soon after shuts down. Turning cold once more.

I wanted to know what he stopped himself from saying, but I’m too much of a coward to ask.

Besides, in light of everything he has done, does it even matter?

“But even if Ava had died, wouldn’t the company have fallen into Noah’s hands?” Letty asks after a while “Not really. First of all, I deleted every evidence of her existence just so the family lawyer wasn’t able to track her and second, the will doesn’t mention anything about the children Ava would have” “This is insane, you know that? You’re telling us that not only is Ava not related to us, but our parents probably knew and never said anything this whole time” Travis says standing up.

Ethan sighs before throwing Travis a hateful look. “That’s exactly what I’m saying and after getting to know the kind of woman she is, I’m fucking glad that she’s isn’t related to such a disgusting and hateful family” Travis launches himself at Ethan, but Ethan easily gets out of the way and Travis ends up sprawled on the table.

Rowan scoffs his eyes burning a hole into Ethan’s forehead. “That’s rich coming from the man that wanted her dead” Ethan glares back at Rowan before his eyes turn to me. “I was going to terminate the hitman’s services, but he went underground. I didn’t know what he was planning, by the time I did it was too late and he’d already taken you.” he breathes. “If you don’t believe anything I say, at least novelbin believe me on that” I couldn’t stand his intense gaze, so like the coward I am, I stood up and ran out of the room. I found myself outside the station. My heart squeezing in my chest like someone had grabbed it and was squeezing.

I try to control the tears, but I can’t. They fall down my cheek and I let them. A sob tears from deep inside my soul as I let the depth of his betrayal wash over me.

Someone pulls me into the chest. I know from the cologne that it’s Rowan. He has a unique scent made specifically for him.

“It’s okay Angel, let it all out” his deep voice rumbles comfortingly.

I pull away from him and look up at him. I let him see my tear stained face. Right now, I don’t care.

“It’s okay, you can say it. You can tell me how much of I fool I was. You can tell me you told me so” I hiccup through my cries.

His grey eyes soften before his arms wrap around me once again. Pulling me back to his warmth and comfort.

“Shh” he whispers “I will never tell you that, Ava. Never!” 3 I continue to cry. Wishing the pain away.

I cry in my ex–husband’s arms after the man I was dating broke me with his betrayal.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 54-The Howell’s It was almost noon when I wake up. At first I thought that everything was as it was supposed to be, but then everything comes crashing down on me. It wasn’t a bad dream like I had thought.

Ethan had really betrayed me.

I feel my tears well up. I cried myself to sleep yesterday and I was just so damn tired of crying. I went to bed wishing that it would all change when I woke up. Praying for a miracle, but here I am.

Nothing’s changed. What I wanted to be nothing but a nightmare, was now my reality.

I slowly get out of bed. I had no energy to do anything, but I also knew I couldn’t sleep and wallow in bed all day.

I take a long shower hoping it will make things better. It doesn’t. I don’t think anything can make everything that happened better.

After dressing in a t–shirt and some yoga pants, I go to the kitchen for something to eat. I was just taking out some eggs when my doorbell rang. I heave a sigh of defeat. I wasn’t in the mood to see anyone. I just wanted to be left alone.

“Hi” Letty says with a small smile when I open the door.

She looks as tired and worn as I am. Hers is probably more physical unlike mine which is both physical and psychological.

“Hi Letty” I stand awkwardly at the door.

I didn’t want to be rude but I also didn’t want anyone near me or around me. Like I said, I wanted to be left alone to come to terms with all that I learned yesterday.

“I know you probably don’t to see anyone right now, but can I please come in?” she pleads.

It still surprises me how well we’ve come to know each other. It’s like we’ve known each other for novelbin years, instead of months.

I let out a breath. “Yeah sure” It as she walks in that I notice she has a couple of boxes with her.

“Food” she says and I nod.

I am grateful. I really didn’t feel like cooking even though I was hungry.

We go to the living room instead. Seating down on the big sofa, Letty joins me and sets down the boxes of food.

I immediately dig in. We don’t talk as we eat. Both of us seemingly lost in our own thoughts.

“So how are you? I’m worried about you Ava. This can’t be easy for you” she says after we are done eating.

For a moment I think about lying to her that I was okay. Just to get her off my back. Besides, it was easier to pretend most of the time than to face reality.

As soon as that thought crosses my mind, I push it away. I needed to talk because I felt like I was drowning.

“It isn’t” I begin. “I’m still having a hard time accepting that Ethan isn’t the man I thought he was and that the people I thought were my family aren’t really blood related” I don’t know which of the two was harder to accept. I keep asking myself if things would have been better for me. If life would have been great had I been raised by my real parents.

It would have saved me from ever meeting Rowan, but then I would never have had Noah. Every time I think of how things would be different had I not met Rowan, I turn back from those thoughts immediately. I would do everything all over again if it meant having my son in my life.

Gosh I miss him. Now more than ever I wish Noah was here with me. He has always been my anchor.

“I can’t even begin to imagine all you must be feeling. I don’t even know where to begin in giving you comfort” Letty says, pulling me back from my thoughts.

I look at her and smile a little. She really wasn’t good at comforting someone or making them feel better. I don’t mind that though. Her realness was better than someone pretending to know how I feel.

“I know, Letty. I’m just having a hard time. Not to mention that it hurts. I was finally starting to move on, you know? I thought that I’d finally gotten a guy that would love me and then before it can blossom into anything, it gets ripped away from me” I blink away the tears, not wanting to be weak anymore. Especially for a man that played and toyed with me.

I honestly don’t know who is worse. Rowan for using me for sex while he thought about Emma or Ethan for playing me and still using me for sex while he planned on killing me.

She sighs. “I don’t want to come out as rude but I’m gonna hit you with the truth. If I knew that this was what you were thinking the whole time, then I would have put a stop to it.” “What are you talking about?

“You can’t keep looking for men to love you” She sighs again. “How do I put this out without hurting you further you went into a relationship with Ethan wanting someone to love you You can’t build you whole expectation on someone else. You can’t think that a man loving you will fill the hole Rowan and you family dug” I don’t get to say anything before she continues.

“You build this fantasy and I never saw it until now. You think when you find the man that will love you then everything will fall into place. The only person who can fill that hole in your heart is you You alone can love yourself the way you want to be loved. You have to love yourself first and judging from the way I see things, you have never loved yourself” She slumps against the back of the couch “You’re wrong” I glare at her feeling a bit attacked and defensive.

“Am 17” I want to argue with her. Of course I love myself ‘Are you sure‘ an inner voice asks ‘Yes‘ I force out internally Then why did you desperately want Rowan to love you? Why did go looking for love after you divorced? Why did every sentence you said about moving on consist of finding someone to love you? You can’t expect someone else to give you the love you can’t give yourself, Ava‘ I shake those thoughts away. There is no way they’re right. What Letty and my inner voice are saying is that I’m depending on others for love. That’s just not true.

“Ava?” Letty calls “What?” I snap at her feeling pissed and irritated at her for making me doubt things She stares at me for a while before answering “Someone’s at the door” It’s only then that I hear the door bell ringing. I had been so lost in thought that I hadn’t heard a thing I immediately feel guilty for snapping at her Feeling already tired and drained, I stand up and go and open the door.

I’m shocked to find Ethan on my doorstep. My first instinct is to close the door on his face and that’s exactly what I go to do.

“Ava wait.” He says holding the door before I can slam it in his face.

He was the last person I wanted to see right now. Not when the pain of his betrayal was still fresh “What do you want, Ethan?” I ground out, not sure what I wanted to do more. Slap him or cry.

“I know you don’t want to see me, but there are two people I would like you to meet” he says stepping aside.

It’s then that I notice the beautiful couple behind him. The woman had long black hair, striking brown eyes and the most beautiful face I’ve ever seen. The man was tall, broad, with wavy honey brown hair and beautiful green eyes.

I stare at them completely captivated by their beauty. Something about them seemed familiar, I just didn’t know where I’d seen them.

“Ava, I want you to meet my adopted parents, Theo and Nora Howell. Mom, dad” he takes a breath.” I want you to meet Ava Sharp. Your long lost daughter” (6)

The moment he says their names, it hits me. Not only are these two apparently my parents, but they’re Theo and Nora Howell. No wonder they looked familiar.

Standing before me is one of the most powerful couples in the country. Not only that, but the Howell’s are said to be even more powerful than Rowan’s family.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 55-Our daughter “Please come in” Letty says behind me, startling the crap out of me.

I realize that I had just been staring at them like a fool. Too lost in my head to say anything to them I move aside and let them through. My mind still reeling from the fact that The Howell’s were in my house right now. Also that they were potentially my family.

“How are you even out?” I ask turning to face Ethan the moment we were all seated.

“Bail” is all he said, his eyes looking everywhere except in my direction.

Yesterday Brian had asked me if I wanted to press charges against Ethan. He said that it would make our case stronger against him.

I wasn’t able to give him an answer because I wasn’t sure. Yes, I get what he did to me was horrible and I don’t know if I can ever forgive him or forget. (3)

Despite all that, Ethan has also taught me a lot about myself and life. I just didn’t know if I had it in me to press charges, Travis was pressing charges and so were the police department. To get in, Ethan had faked documents. As much I couldn’t press the charges myself, Brian said that they would still do it because they had opened a file on me when the murder attempts had began.

“I’m sorry for what my son did to you, Ava” Nora says, her voice cutting through the tense and awkward atmosphere.

I just stare at her. I didn’t know what to feel honestly. The fact that she still called her his son meant that she was okay with what he did. If she was, then I am not sure I want her in my life if that the case, and if it turns out that she is my mother, “You’re apologizing for his wrong doings and I’m going to take a guess that you’re the one that posted his bail. If what he said was the truth does that mean you’re okay with what he did to your biological daughter? A daughter who he told us you mourned over for years?” Letty poses the question that I was too afraid to ask. 4 “We’re by no means okay with what he did. It was downright wrong and evil” Theo says through clenched teeth. His eyes cutting through Ethan.

*TS BONUS Dagute he’s ander right now fean still tell that he loves him. Itle Witten all over his face bome with Nova Then why ball him out? He should pay for what he did to Ava I don’t eate what you thunk smere has done, but tarmg with their feelings while knowing that you plan to kill them to just disgusting and evil Letty persists not letting the matter go Every time Fm reminded of what Ethan did just leaves me raw It was like pouring salt on a wound “Because he’s still our son and we love him. I may not have birthed him but he has been ours since he was ten when we adopted him Nora says with tears swimming in her eyes I wanted to hate her answer but I couldn’t. As a mother, I would stand by Noah no matter what. Sure I would be hurt and disappointed if he did something so terrible, but I wouldn’t abandon him I would be by his side till the very end I stare at the man in question only to find him staring back at me. Just like yesterday, there isn’t any emotion in his cold gaze. I can’t help but wonder if this is how he normally looks or is it the warm look he used to give me Shaking those thoughts away, I pull my gaze from him and stare at Nora and Theo.

“The fact that you’re here means you want something from me, so how may I help you? If it’s about his case then I’m sorry to inform you that I have nothing to do with it and if that’s all then please leave I get straight to the point. There was no need beating around the bush.

I see their shocked faces, but I ignore it. I was just being honest and beside I don’t see any other reason why they would be here.

“We came because Ethan told us the truth. We came because you’re our daughter” Nora answers, tears filling her eyes.

I wanted to believe her, but I couldn’t. The family that raised me didn’t love me and they’ve had twenty eight years with me. I didn’t expect Nora and Theo to love me either. They didn’t know me and from the looks of things they really loved Ethan.

“How are you even sure I’m your daughter?” I ask standing up. “Ethan could have mixed things up I look nothing like any of you” They were out of this world beautiful and I was just me. Nothing remarkable about my looks.

Ethan answers handing me an envelope. “I took your hair and did a DNA test. It matched one I open it and read its content. He wasn’t lying that much is true. My DNA matched with that of Nora and Theo.

“You have my brown hair and your mother’s beautiful brown eyes” Theo added after Ethan. “Even without those physical attributes, I still now. Deep down I know you’re the daughter that was taken from us twenty eight years ago” I turn away from them when my tears start falling. It was too much to take. My whole life has been a fucking lie. I didn’t know how to handle that. Every scorn I got from the Sharp family, every hate, every pain they gave me comes to the surface.

They knew I wasn’t theirs. If they didn’t want me they could have given me away. What was the point of making me stay with them, only for them to hurt me over and over again?” “It’s okay my love” Nora uses the pet name I call Noah and it makes me cry harder. “Let it all out, all of it” she says as she hugs me.

I didn’t even notice her standing up or coming to me. Being in her arms just feels right. I feel at home, something I’ve never felt with mother. I feel her love wash over me and surround me as she embraces me.

She doesn’t let go even when I soak her designer dress in tears. Soon a feel another set of arms surround us. Theo had joined us. I continue to cry until I feel like I’m out of tears, then I stop.

“Better?” she asks.

I give her a small smile as we slowly detangle from each other. “Yes” “You’re our daughter and we love you. We’ve always loved you and have never stopped loving you even when we thought you were gone. We will always be here for you if you need us, all we ask is novelbin that you give us a chance to take care and love you the way we never got to” Theo tells me, his eyes misting.

This was all I ever wanted from the two people who raised me. It says a lot about them and my bio parents. Theo and Nora took a ten year old boy, raised him and loved him like he was their own.

Kate and James Sharp took me in but treated me like I was nothing. The difference between the two couples is really glaring.

Before I have a chance to reply, my doorbell rings again.

Don’t worry, I got it” Letty says clearing her throat.

I hear the door open then harsh whispers. It sounded like Letty was arguing with whoever was on the other side. I was just about to go and check when Travis walks in followed behind by Emma and Rowan I look at them in surprise. What were they doing here? And most importantly were they all attached to the hip or something? Gabe was the only one that wasn’t here.

“I’m sorry, Ava… I tried to stop them but he pushed past me” she says remorsefully while glaring at Travis “What are you all doing here and what do you want?” I honestly don’t think I can deal with them.

“Mom wanted to talk to you, to talk to us. She said she wanted to tell you everything, but you’re not picking up her calls” Emma speaks.

I heave a sigh of defeat. The last thing I wanted to do was hear what she had to say, but I also knew that I had to.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 56-Baby Ava “What the fuck is he doing here?” Rowan booms, his cold grey eyes shooting daggers at Ethan.

I was really not in the mood deal with his tantrums. Yes he was there for me yesterday, but that doesn’t mean he has a say on who is in my home.

Theo or should I say my dad clears his throat. It was going to take some time to get used to the idea of calling him dad.

The sound of his voice pulls everyone’s eyes to him.

Theo Howell?” Rowan says in surprise but he quickly hides it. “What are you doing here?” Rowan looks between all of us. His eyes moving from Theo and Nora then back at me. Slowly connecting the dots.

“It’s been a while Rowan, though I can’t say that I am pleased with how you’ve treated my daughter Theo says with a dangerous smile on his lips.

“What he means to say is, we’re downright pissed off with the way you and your family has treated our daughter and we can’t see ourselves having such business partners” Nora adds. She doesn’t smile and for the first time since she came to my house, I feel hostility and hatred radiating off her.

“How’s this possible? Travis has shock written all over his face Like I said, everyone in the country knows who the Howell’s are. They may like to keep their life private, but they’re still known.

“Oh, trust me darling anything in this world is possible” Nora says glaring at him. Fire burning behind her eyes.

I look at Emma and she too had a shocked expression. Her mouth hang open in disbelief. If she wasn’t careful she would catch a fly “Can we just get this over with so that you may all leave?” I ask looking directly at him.

He nods his head and pulls out his laptop. He sets it down and we gather around it. He doesn’t waste any time skyping mother. Soon her face fills the screen.

“We’re all here mom” Emma tells her and she nods her head.

+15 BONUS “How are you, Ava?” she asks slowly.

I don’t know why she all over sudden cared about me when she hasn’t for more than twenty years of my life.

“Just say what you want to say, no need for the fake pleasantries” She looks hurt, but at this point I just don’t care. I wasn’t going to play along to whatever it is she was trying to do. She was too late to fix was what was broken.

She takes a calming breath before beginning. “You came to us when you were weeks old, but we didn’t adapt you until you were about fifteen months old” “What do you mean?” 1 “We had a wonderful housekeeper. She had worked for us for years. She wanted a family but she couldn’t imagine herself bearing another man’s child. You see, her husband died after seven years of marriage and she never recovered. They were planning to start a family the year he died, they felt they were financially stable. All that was taken away from her when a drunk driver ran her husband over” she explains.

“Winnie wanted a child, but didn’t want to ever get married again or have artificial insemination so she settled on adaption. About a month after she made that decision, she was called by her mother. She was told that the preacher of their church found a baby outside the church and was wondering if anyone wanted to adopt her” 1 We all look at each other. Was it a coincidence? Was the preacher Winnie’s mother was talking about, my grandfather? It was too much to be just a coincidence.

Mother continues. “She took a one week break and went back to her home town to get the baby.

We expected her back a week after, but she ended up taking two weeks, but finally she got the baby and came back. No one knew who the baby’s mother was and had no identification on her.

The preacher said it was probably a scared teen that gave birth and left the baby there” “Since there wasn’t an issue, the social worker allowed Winnie to come back with the child as she prepared the paper works for adoption. The baby was a blessing to Winnie, she named her Ava.

That baby she adopted was you” mother says looking at me before continuing “I had not seen her that happy since her husband died. It’s like Ava breathed life back into her and Winnie adored her.

Loved her like she was her own” She pauses and I take a moment to digest what she just told us. Winnie seems like a great woman.

215 +15 BONUS “If she loved me like you say, why didn’t she raise me? How did I end up as part of the Sharp family?” “About a year after she got you, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. The doctors told her it was too late for her and that she only had a few months to live. Before she died, she asked us to take you in. To adopt you. We didn’t want to, we already had two children and we didn’t want anymore” Something must have happened because I ended up with them.

“Then why did you take me in if you didn’t want to?” I ask.

Everyone was quiet as she answered. “When Travis was two years he managed to get out of the house. By the time I realized it, he was about to cross the road. There was an incoming car and I knew I couldn’t get to him in time, I screamed in fear, My fear must have alerted Winnie. I don’t know how she did it, or where she was or how she moved. She saved Travis that day, but she ended up in a coma for two months. They amputated her right hand because it was too damaged.

She also had a limp since then because of the permanent njury to her hip” She takes in a deep breath before letting it out. “We accepted her request because we felt we owed her. As much as we tried to compensate her it would never have been enough for saving Travis and what she went through. So when she died, we adopted Ava” I look down, muttering. “I wish you hadn’t. You should have tossed me in an orphanage. It would have been kinder than the life I lived with you” I don’t remember ever having a good memory with them. They were all bad, full of pain and misery.

“Gosh, you’re such an ungrateful woman. Do you know how many people would kill to have the life you led?” Emma ask, sneering me in my direction.

“Shut your fucking mouth Emma before I shut it up for you permanently.” I hiss, my anger rising.” I’ve heard enough of you stupid comments. I slept with your damn boyfriend, get the fuck over it and grow the fuck up. It disgusting watching a thirty year old woman throwing a hissy fight like a fucking two year old. Noah behaves more mature than you do❞ My blow up surprises everyone. Emma looks down, her cheeks a shade of red.

I feel hands hold me, and realize that it’s Nora. I look up at her and she’s grinning. I’d completely forgotten that they were sitting right next to me.

” 3/5 +15 BONUS “I suggest you heed the warning of my daughter, girl” Nora says. “It’s been years and you’ve all surely made her pay for that damn mistake. I suggest you move on and leave the past where it is. You talk to my daughter like that ever again and you will not like what I do to you” I’m shocked that she would stand up for me. Nobody ever has well except for Letty. It feels weird but good at the same time.

Emma looks up before looking back down again. I felt the Nora’s threat and it sent chills down my spine.

Mother clears her voice, pulling our attention back to her. “I know how we treated you over the years wasn’t fair and I’m so sorry. More than you’ll ever know” “Please stop. Like I told your son, it’s a little too late for your apologies now. I really don’t want to hear it and neither do I want anything to do with any of you” I simply say.

Too much had already been said and done. It was better this way. Maybe one day I will be able to forgive them, but for now, the pain was just too much. 2 “Now that it’s all said and done, we’re done here” Theo speaks up. “I don’t care what you felt she did, but we all must agree that your contempt for my daughter started way before she made a mistake of sleeping with Rowan. Mark my words, you will pay for every tear she shed and for every year she spent suffering in your hands.” 2 The air is filled with something dangerous. It chokes the air and suffocates my lungs. Everyone knows Theo Howell isn’t someone you cross. Ever.

“Please Mr. Howell” mother pleads.

“How many times did my daughter beg? You didn’t care did you? Why should we show you mercy when you never showed our daughter any?” Nora hisses at mother. Pure hatred reflecting in her eyes.

Mother doesn’t say anything. She looks down in shame.

“I think you should all leave” I say staring at Travis and Emma.

They did what they came to do and their time was up. They stare at me for a while before standing up and leaving. Rowan follows and then Ethan is up next.

“You never have to worry about anything ever again. Your enemies are our enemies and we will fight those who fight you. Everyone who has hurt you will pay. No one will ever cause you pain 4/5 +15 BONUS “We love you, my beautiful angel. Always know that” Nora adds before doing the same.

They leave soon after. It felt great to have someone backing me up. Question is, did I really want revenge against those that hurt me? And even if I did, would they hurt Ethan for hurting me? Were Nora and Theo willing to turn against their son for me?

5/5 Baby Ava“What the fuck is he doing here?” Rowan booms, his cold grey eyes shooting daggers at Ethan.

I was really not in the mood deal with his tantrums. Yes he was there for me yesterday, but that doesn’t mean he has a say on who is in my home.

Theo or should I say my dad clears his throat. It was going to take some time to get used to the idea of calling him dad.

The sound of his voice pulls everyone’s eyes to him.

Theo Howell?” Rowan says in surprise but he quickly hides it. “What are you doing here?” Rowan looks between all of us. His eyes moving from Theo and Nora then back at me. Slowly connecting the dots.

“It’s been a while Rowan, though I can’t say that I am pleased with how you’ve treated my daughter Theo says with a dangerous smile on his lips.

“What he means to say is, we’re downright pissed off with the way you and your family has treated our daughter and we can’t see ourselves having such business partners” Nora adds. She doesn’t smile and for the first time since she came to my house, I feel hostility and hatred radiating off her.

“How’s this possible? Travis has shock written all over his face Like I said, everyone in the country knows who the Howell’s are. They may like to keep their life private, but they’re still known.

“Oh, trust me darling anything in this world is possible” Nora says glaring at him. Fire burning behind her eyes.

I look at Emma and she too had a shocked expression. Her mouth hang open in disbelief. If she wasn’t careful she would catch a fly “Can we just get this over with so that you may all leave?” I ask looking directly at him.

He nods his head and pulls out his laptop. He sets it down and we gather around it. He doesn’t waste any time skyping mother. Soon her face fills the screen.

“We’re all here mom” Emma tells her and she nods her head.

+15 BONUS “How are you, Ava?” she asks slowly.

I don’t know why she all over sudden cared about me when she hasn’t for more than twenty years of my life.

“Just say what you want to say, no need for the fake pleasantries” She looks hurt, but at this point I just don’t care. I wasn’t going to play along to whatever it is she was trying to do. She was too late to fix was what was broken.

She takes a calming breath before beginning. “You came to us when you were weeks old, but we didn’t adapt you until you were about fifteen months old” “What do you mean?” 1 “We had a wonderful housekeeper. She had worked for us for years. She wanted a family but she couldn’t imagine herself bearing another man’s child. You see, her husband died after seven years of marriage and she never recovered. They were planning to start a family the year he died, they felt they were financially stable. All that was taken away from her when a drunk driver ran her husband over” she explains.

“Winnie wanted a child, but didn’t want to ever get married again or have artificial insemination so she settled on adaption. About a month after she made that decision, she was called by her mother. She was told that the preacher of their church found a baby outside the church and was wondering if anyone wanted to adopt her” 1 We all look at each other. Was it a coincidence? Was the preacher Winnie’s mother was talking about, my grandfather? It was too much to be just a coincidence.

Mother continues. “She took a one week break and went back to her home town to get the baby.

We expected her back a week after, but she ended up taking two weeks, but finally she got the baby and came back. No one knew who the baby’s mother was and had no identification on her.

The preacher said it was probably a scared teen that gave birth and left the baby there” “Since there wasn’t an issue, the social worker allowed Winnie to come back with the child as she prepared the paper works for adoption. The baby was a blessing to Winnie, she named her Ava.

That baby she adopted was you” mother says looking at me before continuing “I had not seen her that happy since her husband died. It’s like Ava breathed life back into her and Winnie adored her.

Loved her like she was her own” She pauses and I take a moment to digest what she just told us. Winnie seems like a great woman.

215 +15 BONUS “If she loved me like you say, why didn’t she raise me? How did I end up as part of the Sharp family?” “About a year after she got you, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. The doctors told her it was too late for her and that she only had a few months to live. Before she died, she asked us to take you in. To adopt you. We didn’t want to, we already had two children and we didn’t want anymore” Something must have happened because I ended up with them.

“Then why did you take me in if you didn’t want to?” I ask.

Everyone was quiet as she answered. “When Travis was two years he managed to get out of the house. By the time I realized it, he was about to cross the road. There was an incoming car and I knew I couldn’t get to him in time, I screamed in fear, My fear must have alerted Winnie. I don’t know how she did it, or where she was or how she moved. She saved Travis that day, but she ended up in a coma for two months. They amputated her right hand because it was too damaged.

She also had a limp since then because of the permanent njury to her hip” She takes in a deep breath before letting it out. “We accepted her request because we felt we owed her. As much as we tried to compensate her it would never have been enough for saving Travis and what she went through. So when she died, we adopted Ava” I look down, muttering. “I wish you hadn’t. You should have tossed me in an orphanage. It would have been kinder than the life I lived with you” I don’t remember ever having a good memory with them. They were all bad, full of pain and misery.

“Gosh, you’re such an ungrateful woman. Do you know how many people would kill to have the life you led?” Emma ask, sneering me in my direction.

“Shut your fucking mouth Emma before I shut it up for you permanently.” I hiss, my anger rising.” I’ve heard enough of you stupid comments. I slept with your damn boyfriend, get the fuck over it and grow the fuck up. It disgusting watching a thirty year old woman throwing a hissy fight like a fucking two year old. Noah behaves more mature than you do❞ My blow up surprises everyone. Emma looks down, her cheeks a shade of red.

I feel hands hold me, and realize that it’s Nora. I look up at her and she’s grinning. I’d completely forgotten that they were sitting right next to me.

” 3/5 +15 BONUS “I suggest you heed the warning of my daughter, girl” Nora says. “It’s been years and you’ve all surely made her pay for that damn mistake. I suggest you move on and leave the past where it is. You talk to my daughter like that ever again and you will not like what I do to you” I’m shocked that she would stand up for me. Nobody ever has well except for Letty. It feels weird but good at the same time.

Emma looks up before looking back down again. I felt the Nora’s threat and it sent chills down my spine.

Mother clears her voice, pulling our attention back to her. “I know how we treated you over the years wasn’t fair and I’m so sorry. More than you’ll ever know” “Please stop. Like I told your son, it’s a little too late for your apologies now. I really don’t want to hear it and neither do I want anything to do with any of you” I simply say.

Too much had already been said and done. It was better this way. Maybe one day I will be able to forgive them, but for now, the pain was just too much. 2 “Now that it’s all said and done, we’re done here” Theo speaks up. “I don’t care what you felt she did, but we all must agree that your contempt for my daughter started way before she made a mistake of sleeping with Rowan. Mark my words, you will pay for every tear she shed and for every year she spent suffering in your hands.” 2 The air is filled with something dangerous. It chokes the air and suffocates my lungs. Everyone knows Theo Howell isn’t someone you cross. Ever.

“Please Mr. Howell” mother pleads.

“How many times did my daughter beg? You didn’t care did you? Why should we show you mercy when you never showed our daughter any?” Nora hisses at mother. Pure hatred reflecting in her eyes.

Mother doesn’t say anything. She looks down in shame.

“I think you should all leave” I say staring at Travis and Emma.

They did what they came to do and their time was up. They stare at me for a while before standing up and leaving. Rowan follows and then Ethan is up next.

“You never have to worry about anything ever again. Your enemies are our enemies and we will fight those who fight you. Everyone who has hurt you will pay. No one will ever cause you pain 4/5 +15 BONUS “We love you, my beautiful angel. Always know that” Nora adds before doing the same.

They leave soon after. It felt great to have someone backing me up. Question is, did I really want revenge against those that hurt me? And even if I did, would they hurt Ethan for hurting me? Were Nora and Theo willing to turn against their son for me?

5/5

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 57-Still hurts Emma “I still can’t believe that Ava is a Howell” Travis says as we enter our parent’s home.

I was having a hard time with the news myself. Everything seemed so surreal. Like I couldn’t for the love of me believe everything that has been revealed.

“I know right?” I mutter.

I thought I had an advantage against her. Finding out she was adopted was the best feeling ever. After Ethan told us that her parents were actually rich, every happy feeling was destroyed. I wanted her to come from a poor background. It would have given me an advantage over her even if she was rich right now.

If she had come from a poor family then I would always be better than her. Superior to her in a way. The way our society works is that, you’re respected more if you family has connection. If your family has roots and comes from a long line of money. You may be rich and they will respect that, but you’ll be respected more if you come from a wealthy family. 3 I had hoped that would be the case when Ethan told us she’s adopted. I thought that maybe her parent’s couldn’t afford to raise her or maybe they were junkies and they decided to put her up for adoption. It would have been a big mark against her in our social circle and I would have been there to see them whisper and gossip about her.

The jokes on me though. The Howell’s may not live in our city, but they’re known. Just like Rowan’s family, they are really powerful and they run this country. If they announce that Ava is their daughter. Her social standing will go up. She’ll be above me in every way. Worse than that, she’ll be in the same standing level as Rowan. 3 “What are we going to do though? How are we going to get her to forgive us?” Travis asks breaking the silence and pulling me from my thoughts.

Was he fucking seriously right now? Why the fuck would I want her damn forgiveness? She’s the one who should be asking for forgiveness. Begging me to forgive her for what she did to me.

“Why would we want her forgiveness?” I ask him bitterly. “Have you forgotten what she did to me?” “I know and I remember, but like her parents said, it’s in the past. She has already paid enough for her mistake, besides we learned that she was truly drunk”I’d heard about that, but I didn’t believe it. I refused to believe it. Ava had wanted Rowan for years, there is just no way that everything is a fucking coincidence. Even if she was drunk she still probably planned the whole damn thing.

“I will never forgive her Travis” I tell him firmly and angrily.

It’s something I decided a long time ago. I wasn’t going to let go of the bitterness anytime soon.

“Emma please, she’s our sister. You have to let go of the past. You have to heal, Emma. Holding on to all that pain and anger isn’t good for you” he tells me softly, coming to stand next to me.

“How many times will I tell you that I will never forgive her? Gosh Travis, I even wish that the bastard that Ethan had hired to kill her had done it before Ethan arrived to save her” I scream at him.

Without waiting for a reply from him I storm upstairs completely pissed off. I get to my room and slam the door in anger. Why couldn’t they understand that this isn’t easy for me? Why couldn’t they understand that it was hard for me to move on?

It still fucking hurts. Every day I wake up then go to sleep, the pain is still there. I breathe it in then out. It has become a part of me. Meshed its–self deep inside me that I don’t know how to live without it. 2 I know it’s toxic. I know it’s destroying me, but I just don’t know how to let go of it. I don’t know how to stop myself from hating Ava. She took everything from me. All I ever wanted was Rowan and she took him from me. 4 I planned my life around him, so sure that we would end up together and she took that future away.

Even now, when I came back and I was sure that things were looking up with Rowan, she had to go and ruin it. Rowan now barely pays any attention to me. Since that day at the dinner party he hasn’t called or checked up on me. ↑ His focus has been completely on Ava. It makes me hate her more because once again, she’s taking him fromme. I didn’t want to admit it, but things have changed. Rowan isn’t the same boy that fell I love with me. 4 He may not know it, but I can tell. He has some feelings for Ava. I don’t know exactly what he feels for her, but the feelings are there. My biggest fear is that he’s in love with her. I don’t know what I will do if that is true. It would really break my heart if that’s the case.

2/4 novelbin Taking out my phone, I call my best friend.

“Hi love” Molly answers on the first ring.

1 collapse on my bed as I fight back my tears. “Everything is falling apart Molly. I don’t know what to do” I felt drained. Tired. Everything was so exhausting and I felt like I was carrying this huge burden on my shoulders.

“Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you, then we can work from there” she asks.

I proceed to tell her everything. Every single damn thing that has happened since our last talk. Just going over it again brings a sharp pain to my heart. I don’t want to imagine living life with Rowan. I know we hadn’t talked for nine years, but the moment we decided to try, things just felt right. That’s before once again Ava came between us.

“Listen, Emma, I have to agree with Ava” she starts to say.

A frown forms on my face. “You what?” “Just listen. I’m not Ava’s biggest fan, but when you threatened her son, you crossed the line. Not to mention all the stupid lies you told Rowan. This isn’t like you Emma, using such disgusting tricks to get Rowan to believe you. Those won’t work, in fact, they may just push him further away.” she says in one breath.

“But…” she cuts me off.

“Second, from what I can tell, none of this is Ava fault. She seems to have backed off. I would have if the man I was married to for nine years was still in love with my sister. Point is, the problem lies with Rowan, he’s either confused about his feelings or he’s oblivious to them when it comes to Ava” she pauses then continues.

That is something I didn’t want to hear. Pain pierces my heart when I think that Rowan may feel something for Ava.

“Third, you have to heal. As long as you want Rowan then Ava will always be in the picture because of Noah. It’s not healthy for Rowan and Noah to have both of you fighting all the damn time. It will be draining and if it affects Noah, then Rowan will probably walk away from you” I hear what she’s saying, but it doesn’t register. I don’t ever see Ava and I making peace with each other because when I look at her all I see is that day when Rowan told me that he had slept with I mean damn it, we never had sex because I was waiting for a perfect time but yet he slept with my sister. That is what I can’t get over. The fact that Ava knows how Rowan feels, but I don’t and I was his girlfriend long before.

“Lastly Emma, you need to come clean” Molly says pulling me back to the present.

“Why would I do that?” I whisper, afraid of my secret getting out.

“Because it’s time to own up Emma and take responsibility, deep down you know that you’re not being fair to him. Think about it.” she sighs is frustration.

She’s been telling me this for years, but I’ve been pushing it to the sidelines. Maybe she’s right, but I’m not ready yet. I will hold on to my secret for just a little bit longer. I don’t want to deal with the disappointment that it will surely bring.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 58-His hearing Ava Have you ever felt like you’re just living through the motions? Like nothing and no one around you is real? I googled it. G****e said it was a form of dissociating. It happens especially with adults who had childhood traumas. It’s a coping mechanism where the person separates him or herself from what’s hurting or causing them stress.

After I read that, I realized that maybe Letty was right. Maybe I did need help. Professional help. Maybe I should start seeing a therapist. I know I have issues. Deep seated traumas that I haven’t been able to work through. novelbin Sighing, I stand up and start pacing the room. My mind was racing and no matter what, I couldn’t settle down. I’ve pushed everyone away since that time when everyone was at my house. I’ve refused to take calls or talk to anyone.

I just wanted to be left alone. To process everything on my own. Sometimes I feel the weight of everything falling on me and it’s just hard. It becomes too much to handle some times and I’m left feeling hollow and empty inside.

My phones rings, cutting through the silent space. I check the caller Id, it was Brian calling. I know why. Today is Ethan’s trial and he wanted me to come and testify against him. Just like I couldn’t press charges, I also couldn’t testify. (3)

I’m not condoning what Ethan did. He did some pretty messed up things, but I just can’t bring myself to put a nail on his coffin. Every time I’ve thought about going ahead and pressing charges or testifying, every good moment we’ve shared comes to my mind and I immediately withdraw from the thoughts.

Ethan, the Ethan I knew, was good to me. He made me feel good, and not just sexually. He brought out a side of me I never knew and taught to me embrace it. That’s why his betrayal hurts so much. 1 With Rowan, I always knew he didn’t like me. Even when we were younger, he tolerated me because I was Emma and Travis‘ sister. Yes he hurt me and it broke my heart, but deep down I always knew it was to be expected. His hate for me, no matter how painful wasn’t new.

When it comes to Ethan though, it’s painful because I never expected he would hurt me. I thought we were on the same page. I thought that he felt the same way. I thought his feelings and actions towards me weren’t tainted. It hurt because it turned out to be a lie. It hurt because I never saw it I should have though. Everyone in my life, except Noah, has hurt me. I was now even doubting Letty and my new found parents. How do I know they don’t have ulterior motives? How do I know they won’t hurt me or betray me? How do I know they’re not just playing me?

The fucking questions never leave me and it was driving me insane.

Tired of pacing and driving myself crazy, I take a hat, sunglasses, my car keys and then I leave. I start driving not really sure where I was going.

I don’t know how I end up at the court house, but it’s only after I park my car that I realize where I am. I look at my hat and sunglasses and frown. Maybe subconsciously this is where I was going all along.

“This is damn crazy” I tell myself as I put my disguise on.

I get out of my car and walk slowly towards the building. I was giving myself time to back out. I don’t though, instead I walk through the doors. I wasn’t here because I wanted to see justice get served. I was here to see him one last time.

Nora and Theo managed to keep his hearing and wrong doings from leaking to the media. I can’t imagine the kind of damage that would do to their company image. Thought a part of me tells me that they’re doing that for Ethan’s sake. 1)

I internally count the room numbers until I get to the one that was hosting Ethan’s hearing.

Slowly, I open the door. Thank goodness it doesn’t make a sound. I didn’t want anyone knowing I was here.

I quietly enter the room and take the furthest seat. I fix my disguise, just to make sure that everything is okay before silencing my phone.

I watch as Chief Officer Brian gives his testimony.

Ethan was on the right with his lawyer. My parents were right behind him. On the other hand, the prosecutor was on the left side.

This side had more people. Some of the cops were there. So were Travis, Letty and surprisingly Rowan. I didn’t expect him here. He did hate Ethan though, and Rowan is the kind who loves watching his enemies crash and burn.

Looking at the setting, I realize that I was seated on Ethan’s side.

“And how does your client plead against the charges by the police department?” the judge, a woman who seems to be in her sixties asks.

Ethan whispers in his lawyer’s ears before the man answers.

“Guilty” he says in a strong.

“Okay then, you may continue” she says and Brian continues.

Brian goes back to talking. He tells the courtroom how Ethan came here a few months back. That they got his transfer papers to their station. He didn’t see anything wrong and he never questioned anything because of the transfer. It all seemed in order so they just took him. He also seemed to know what he was doing so they never questioned anything.

After him, next to testify were the three other cops there. Then Travis and finally Letty. Travis didn’t say much. He only talked about Ethan’s friendship with Letty. Letty talked about the role he played in my life and how we never suspected a thing. She also recounted the day we were kidnapped. Not missing any details.

After everyone has testified the judge takes a break and then comes back after a while.

“There is no need to prolong this hearing given the accused has already pleaded guilty and confessed to every accusation levelled against him” she begins saying.

“Ethan Howell, for the case leveled against you, you’re going to receive two years for impersonating a police officer, two years for kidnapping, two years for falsifying documents and fifteen years for murder attempt with a possibility of parole. That being said, case closed” the judge hits her gavel and stands up.

Something breaks in my heart at hearing his sentence. Twenty one years in prison is a pretty long time. 2 When everyone begins standing up, I look at Ethan one more time before slipping out the door. I rush outside just as a tear makes its way down my cheek. I honestly didn’t know what to feel.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t be able to recognize you, Ava?” his deep voice startles me. 1 I turn to find Rowan staring intently at me. His brows pulled down. His intense grey eyes searching mine. I don’t say anything, instead I just wipe my tears. How the hell did he know it was me?

“Are you okay?” he asks softly walking towards me.

He pulls the hat from my head and takes away my sunglasses.

“No” I whisper just as another tears falls down.

He pulls a sirand of hair behind my ear and then wipes my tears away. Pulling me into his arms, he hugs me close before resting his chin on my head.

“You’ll be okay…you’re the strongest woman I know. Look at all the shit I put you through and you’re still fucking standing. You came out on the other side stronger. You’ll fucking survive this Ava” he tells me with confidence.

I stay there for a while crying, but pull away once I hear people coming out.

“I need to leave” I mumble. I didn’t want anyone seeing me here.

He stares at me for a while before nodding. “Come on, I’ll drive you. I can’t let you leave while you’re upset” I don’t argue with him. I just hand him my keys.

I look back just as Ethan is being escorted outside by the police. My eyes crash with his, but I immediately pull them away and get into my car.

It was time to say goodbye to a love that was starting to bloom, but never got the chance to fully blossom into something beautiful.

It was time to say goodbye to Ethan

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 59-A surprise It’s been a month since the whole thing with Ethan happened. Am I okay? Definitely not. Does it still hurt? Fuck yes. Have I moved on? Absolutely not.

Things haven’t been easy. Every day I find myself drowning further and further in a sea of pain and heartache. I thought I was doing okay when I decided to move on with Ethan. I realize now that I was probably just lying to myself.

Ethan’s betrayal has drenched up all the other pains I tried burying. All the hurts I tried forgetting. It was like I was now back to square one. Only thing is that I had a few more new scars marring my heart and soul.

I go through the days in a fog. Just living numbly. Time and things pass me by because I wasn’t really living. I am just surviving. Taking each day one at a time.

Everyone seems to have moved on, but I feel like I am just stuck. Stuck in a never ending cycle of pain and heartbreak. My world right now is dark and cold and I feel all alone.

“Miss Sharp, are you okay?” Mark, one of my students asks me.

Fuck, I hate that name. It serves as a reminded that the people who gave it to me broke me. I wanted to change it, but I didn’t know which name to take. I didn’t want to take the Howell’s name given I don’t know that much about them. There is also the fact that I haven’t spoken to them since that day at my house.

“Yes, I am…focus on the classwork” I reply to him before looking down at the books on my desk.

I loved teaching, but nowadays it has become like a chore. Every day I come to work, I can’t help but wish the hours would fly by quickly so that I can go home. I wanted solitude but I wasn’t novelbin getting enough of that with Letty and Rowan checking up on me every damn time.

My students have noticed something is wrong. Classes aren’t as fun as they used to be. I wasn’t as cheery as I was before. I was like a robot. Lifeless. Because of this some of my students have started skipping class. I just don’t know how to bring back the old Ava.

‘Instead of trying to bring the old you, why don’t you try to create a new version?‘ an internal voice asks.

Was that even possible? Creating a new version. A version of me that is different from the child, teen then woman who has been broken too many times to count.

Before I can answer that question or think too deeply about it, the bell rings Taking my things, I dash out of my class without saying a single word to my students.

I keep my head down as I rush to the teacher’s lounge. I just want to breathe a little before I have to go to my next class Luckily, no one stops me in the hallway. I wasn’t really in the mood to talk to anyone I get to the teacher lounge and freeze up. I was expecting it to be at least somewhat empty, but it was damn packed. I release a groan as I walk to the furthest seat.

My phone rings just as I sit down. Nora’s name flashes. I’ve ignored their calls not really sure how to handle them. Especially given their relationship with Ethan I go to hang up, but I press the accept button instead “Hello, Ava?” she calls out.

I don’t say anything. Just release the breath I was holding.

“Please my dear, please don’t shut me out. Don’t shut me and your father out” she whispers her voice catching at the end.

I still don’t say anything. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. My mouth refuses to move. To utter a single fucking word.

“You’re my daughter, Ava and I want to be in your life. I want to be the mother I was supposed to be. I know you’re hurting and I want to be there for you. I already lost one child, please don’t makeme lose another. Losing you again just after finding you would kill me” she pleads, crying and it breaks my heart.

Tears fill my eyes. Damn it. I’ve been so emotional these past few weeks.

“I need time” I tell her slowly. Trying to push back my emotions.

She releases a breath. “I’ll give you time if that’s what you need, but always remember that I love you. I’ve always carried you in my heart even when I thought you had died. I hope you can trust me and know that I’ll always be here for you if you need me” 1 Gosh. It feels so good to be wanted, but I don’t know if I can trust them yet. Only time will tell.

“Okay” I reply before hanging up.

I get what she’s saying, but I just don’t know. What if she’s just looking for someone to hang on to?

the gap. That’s what I’m afraid of. Of being used. Of being a second choice just like I was with Rowan.

I wasn’t being cold or anything like that towards them. I was just trying to protect the remaining pieces of my heart.

“Damn girl” Carol says walking towards my table.

“Fuck” I groan under my breath.

She was a junior highschool teacher and she had a way of annoying the hell out of people. Mainly because she likes to stick her nose in other people’s businesses.

“All that food” she looks at me in shock. “With the way you’ve been eating and how moody you are nowadays, one would think you’re preggo” she finishes with a laugh. 2 I know she was joking, but I freeze in my seat. Her words ring in my mind like a broken record.

Driving fear through every fiber of my body.

She notices my behavior and frowns. “Are you okay, Ava? You have to know that I was just joking right?” I quickly stand up as panic starts coursing through my body. Rushing out of the lounge, I blindly ran through the hallway till I am out of the school. I immediately jump into my car and speed out of the parking lot.

Shit. This couldn’t be happening. Please don’t let it be happening. 2 I try to think back. Try to do the math, but my mind is so jumbled that I cannot think straight.

I drive fast, not caring that I will probably be pulled for over speeding. I needed to confirm that Carol was wrong.

Getting to the store, I park my car and rush out. Unluckily for me, I bump into Emma.

“Ava?” she calls a bit surprised. Probably because I look like a big fucking mess.

I ignore her and ran to the ladies section. Finding what I need, I take a bunch of them and quickly move to the counter. Once I have my purchase, I leave.

I get into my car and soon I’m at home. I know the drill. So I drink around three glasses of water and then head to my bathroom and take the test.

Breaking point [Warning. The following chapter contains content that maybe triggering to some] No This can’t be happening to me. I can’t be pregnant. Not now and definitely not with Ethan’s baby “Why God?” I whisper as the tears fall down my face.

I wait for an answer but none comes. He doesn’t tell me why this was happening to me. He doesn’t tell me why he had to make me this unlucky.

I try to pick myself from the bathroom floor, but I just don’t have the energy. I’m completely drained.

Was it my lot in life to have unplanned pregnancies? First with Noah and now this one. 2 I stare sightlessly at the tiled floor, thinking back. Ethan and I had unprotected sex once. I was supposed to take a morning after pill, but I completely forgot. By the time I remembered, a few days had already passed.

I told Ethan about it. I expected him to be angry about it, but he wasn’t. Instead he calmed me down. We both reasoned that it was unlikely for me to be pregnant. 1 I noticed some changes, like my period being late, but I thought it was due to the stress I was under. I never gave much thought to my increase in appetite since I always eat when I’m stressed or sad.

The banging on my door startles me, but I don’t get up. Now more than before, I didn’t want to see anybody. When the banging continues, I put my head between my knees and cover my ears. I just wanted whoever it is to leave.

It becomes silent for a while. I breathe a sigh of relief but then start to panic when I hear the door open and heavy footsteps walking upstairs.

Before I can do anything, like maybe hide, in case it was an intruder. A shadow fills the door way to my bathroom.

“Ava?” Rowan’s deep voices resonates through the entire room.

The moment my eyes meet with his, I start crying again. Of all people, why did it have to be him?

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 60-“What are you doing here?” I ask through my sobs.

He comes and kneels before me, his eyes staring at me with an emotion I can’t figure out.

“Emma told me she saw you at the store. She said you looked hysterical and that you bought a bunch of pregnancy tests before leaving” he tells me softly, his fingers wiping away my tears.

Damn it Emma and her big mouth! What the hell did she think she’ll accomplish by telling Rowan that I bought pregnancy tests?

“She shouldn’t have told you. It’s none of her business neither is it yours” I hiss.

He doesn’t react instead he asks. “Have you taken the test?” novelbin I just nod my head as more tears fill my eyes.

“And?” I don’t answer him. I just couldn’t bring myself to admit what the test informed me.

When I don’t answer he surveys the room. His eyes land on them laying near the sink. He stands up and goes to check them. I should be fucking angry that he was violating my privacy, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Not when I had much more important things to worry about.

He comes back and this time instead of kneeling before me. He instead sits next to me.

“Congratulation. You’re going to be a great mother” he tell me an odd catch in his voice.

I lay my head on his shoulder as I speak. “Am I? You didn’t ever want to have another baby with me even though I wanted one desperately. I thought it’s because you thought I was a bad mother” I was always so insecure when it came to Rowan. I knew the real reason. He didn’t want another baby because he was holding out hope that Emma will come back. I lied to myself because it was better to think he thought I wasn’t a good mother than to acknowledge that he just didn’t want a baby with me.

“I’ve never thought you’re a bad mother, Ava. You’re the fucking best. One just has to look at the relationship between you and Noah to know it’s true” he pauses. “Can I tell you something?” I nod my head.

“I was always jealous of the bond you have with Noah. I still am” he confesses. I lift my head in shock.

I still can’t believe that Rowan was right now sitting on the bathroom floor with me. The Rowan i know wouldn’t have cared at all, let alone wipe away my tears.

“Yeah” he answers We stay in silence after that. I soon start feeling drowsy. I don’t know when I slept or how he carried me to my bed. The last thing I felt before falling into deep sleep, was his lips on my forehead.

When I wake up, it’s midafternoon the next day. I find breakfast on my side table. Which was probably cold.

I get out of bed and make an appointment with my gynecologist. I take a quick shower then get dressed. I still felt tired and worn out.

I wasn’t hungry so I ignore the food. I didn’t know who brought it, but my guess is that it was Rowan.

Getting into my car, I fire it up and drive as slowly as I can. Trying to delay getting to the doctor’s office. I get there after almost an hour since I left. Taking a deep breath, I get out and walk towards the private clinic.

There are women inside with their husbands. It takes me back to when I was pregnant with Noah.

Rowan never accompanied me to any of my appointments. I was even shocked that he insisted to be with me in the room when I was giving birth, given he showed little care for me and the baby I was expecting.

Pushing those away, I give the secretary my details and take a seat, while I wait for my name to be called.

“Ava Sharp” I’m finally called after about forty five minutes.

I stand up and walk to Dr. Raven’s office.

“Good to see you, Ava. So what can I do for you this fine afternoon?” she asks as she takes a seat.

“I was hoping to get an ultrasound. I took a pregnancy test yesterday and they were positive, but I just wanted a confirmation” I wring my hands. Completely nervous and nearing a heart attack.

“That can be arranged Why don’t you lay on the bed, while I set up things?” she asks kindly and I nod 1 get up on the bed and stare at the ceiling. I tried calming my beating heart, but it was of no use.

“Please pull up your top” I do as she says, my hands shaking. She squirts the gel on my stomach and begins moving the wand around.

“You’re definitely pregnant. Around three months along.” she says happily just as the sound of a steady beating heart fills the room, as I blink back the tears and grip the hem of my top. She sounded happy as she delivered the news, but I wasn’t.

Everything after that is a blur. She cleans me up and gives me instructions. Talking about diets and vitamins. I leave her office and pass by her secretary’s desk. She gives me a date for my next appointment and prints for me the images of the baby.

After everything is done, I leave like the hell hounds of hell were after me.

I was numb as I drove. I had held hope. Hope that the tests were false. It’s know to happen that they aren’t accurate. I was hoping that it will be the same for my case.

Instead here I am. Driving, with the real proof that I was expecting Ethan’s baby laying in the backseat.

I drive for a while not sure where I am, until I finally park. I get out and robotically walk towards the cliff.

How can I be happy about this baby? I didn’t want him or her. I didn’t want a baby conceived out of deceit and lies. A baby with the same man that tried his hardest to end my life.

How can I look at him or her and not feel any type of resentment? I wanted to forget my time with Ethan. This baby will make sure I don’t. He or she will be a reminder of how his or her father betrayed me.

All I had to do was to take a step forward. Just one step and everything will end. There won’t be any more pain, or sadness or heartache. I would be free of the constant darkness that was drowning me.

I hear a cat in the distance, but I don’t turn. I still don’t turn when a door slams “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Ava?” Rowan’s voice growls from behind me.

I don’t tur“, even as the wind picks up I feel its force. As if it was also urging me to make that one step *Ava, please. Step away from the cliff. Come to me” I feel his presence as he slowly approaches me, but I don’t step back.

I was so tired. Tired of crying. Tired of hurting. Tired of the constant fucking pain. I was so fucking tired of fighting. The pain was constant. Always there. Slowly killing me. Reducing me to someone I didn’t want to see.

“I don’t think I can do this, Rowan. I just want it all to stop. I want to know what peace is because I haven’t had it since I was born. I just don’t have it in me to keep fighting anymore” I cry, feeling worn out.

“Killing yourself isn’t the answer” he says, just as he grabs me and pulls me back.

I had been so distracted that I didn’t notice how close he had gotten.

“Let go of me! Let me go right now. Let me end this once and for all” I scream, thrashing in his hands. Needing him to let me go.

“Snap out of it Ava!” he shouts back at me. Refusing to let go. “Think about Noah, are you going to leave him motherless? Are you going to leave him with the pain of losing his beloved mother at such a young age? What about you’re unborn child, are you so fucking selfish and cruel that you would kill an innocent baby? Your own flesh and blood” he shakes me, his face hardening with each word he says.

At the mention of Noah’s name. I stop fighting him.

“Rowan…” “No! I don’t care what you think right now or if you’ll even hate me later, but I’m booking you an appointment with a therapist. You’re going to work on your issues and you’re going to be the best goddamn mother to your two children and you will love them both unconditionally despite who their father is or so help me God, Ava, I will…” he doesn’t finish his sentence but I get what he’s saying.

He was breathing hard, grey storms raging in his eyes. His hands tightening around me as if he 5/6 +15 BONUS I sink in his arms. The fight completely leaving me He picks me up bridal style, holding me close as I feel his erratic beating heart.

His colyne washes over me and I calm down.

“How did you find me?” I ask as he walks us to his car. @

“I will always find you, Ava” he replies firmly. “Always” “Thank you, for pulling me back today” I tell him as I sink deeper into his warmth, feeling ashamed that I contemplated taking my life and that of my baby.

His reply is a soft kiss to my cheek then my temple.

I sigh. Rowan was right. Noah didn’t deserve to lose his mom and my unborn child didn’t deserve to lose his or her life at my hands. They deserve to live fully and have a mom that loved them so much I was going to make a couple of changes. One of them being pushing my bitterness and anger aside and facing Ethan. He needed to know that he was going to be a father. Which means I have to make a trip to prison.