Ch. 61..70

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 61-Her life line Rowan Fuck run my hand through my hair as I watch her sleep. Tears tracks were still visible on her cheeks and it breaks me seeing her so broken.

Ava has always been fucking good at hiding her feelings. Today she didn’t and it was fucking raw It was drowning her and without even her realizing it, she was drowning me along with her.

I take a seat near her sleeping form. I push my fingers through her hair as I massage her scalp gently. How the fuck have I never realized how soft and thick her hair is? It was bliss just touching it.

She sighs in her sleep in contentment. Her face relaxed. All the pain from earlier melted away. In her sleep, she’s at a peace. She doesn’t have shadows accosting her.

I know it’s fucking creepy, but watching her sleep has become my favorite thing. I did the same thing yesterday and here I am doing it today. She’s so beautiful it hurts. Even with dark under eyes, she’s still stunning. I don’t know the fuck I ever thought she couldn’t compare to Emma.

I softly kiss her cheeks before standing up. I am reluctant to leave. I fight the part of me that wants to pull the covers and slide in next to her. I don’t know where this need is coming from. It was never there when we were married. Back then, I didn’t want her next to me. I always avoided cuddling. Right now though, it’s all I can fucking think of.

I force myself to leave her room and walk out of her house. Taking a breath, I contemplate going back, but I don’t. I know she won’t appreciate me being in bed with her. She might have accepted my comfort, but that doesn’t mean she’s forgiven me for my part in hurting her.

I haven’t even asked for her forgiveness for heaven’s sake. I should and I will. I just need her to be more stable when I do. 2 I take out my phone and call my twin. He picks up on the first ring.

“Meet me at the club” I tell him before hanging up.

I don’t have to wait for his reply. I just know that he will be there.

I give Ava’s house one last look before I jump into my car and drive away. About half an hour later, I’m at one of my clubs. I enter through the VIP entrance that’s only meant for me, Gabe and any of 1/4 “Sir” the bouncer greets I nod at him then enter the club.

The damn music was loud and it was giving me a headache. Moving fast as the bouncer parts the way for ane, we get to my private booth where things are much quieter.

He proceeds to stand guard at the entrance. It’s not once or twice that women tried gate crashing just to get free drinks.

My personal bartender walks in with my drink and hands it to me. I don’t have to tell him what I take, he already knows. Just like he knows what Gabe and Travis take.

“What’s got you in such foul mood?” Gabe asks walking in.

He’s younger than me by three minutes. While he’s the outgoing and social one. I’m the brooding antisocial twin.

“Nothing” I mumble leaning back in my chair.

I still can’t get the fucking image of Ava on the cliff. The way she was so close to the edge. It all but killed me when she took a hesitant step forward. The fear that had encased me was like nothing like I’ve ever felt. It was tangible and it suffocated me My heart honestly stopped and I saw my fucking life flash before my eyes. She was so broken and I wanted nothing more than to piece her back together.

I don’t know what I would have done if I had been late. I don’t know why, but I know that if she had died then my heart would have died with her. 1 “You forget I know you better than you know yourself brother” he takes a seat opposite me.

“Ava” her name slips out of my mouth in an anguished tone.

“You care about her” “Of course I fucking care about her. She’s the mother of my son” I snap at him, frustrated.

The whole thing was frustrating me. She was spiraling out of control and I just didn’t know how to help her. I didn’t know how to be what she needs. I’ve spent so much time pushing her away, that I don’t know what makes her tick.

“It’s more than that big brother, you just refuse to open your fucking eyes and see it” he drawls.

He’s been on and on about that one issue. That my concern for Ava stem from feelings that ran much deeper We keep arguing about that. I think I would fucking know if I was in love with her. I care about her, and I have feelings I can’t describe, but love? I don’t think so.

“How’s the doing?” he asks when I don’t say anything else.

“She’s pregnant He stares and me with wide eyes and an open jaw. “With Ethan’s baby?” “Who else would she pregnant for?” I ask him in irritation.

When I found out yesterday, something just shifted inside me. Knowing she was expectant with that bastard’s baby just made everything more real. I had been blocking the knowledge that she had slept with Ethan out.

When I found out, there was this primal part of me that wanted to kill Ethan for touching what’s mine. After that I blocked it out. Tried pretending that it didn’t happen because that’s the only way I could calm myself down. Her pregnancy now was proof that she did sleep with another man and for some reason it fucking hurts and drives me insane knowing that. 7 It’s completely unreasonable. I wanted her to move on. I wanted her to leave me alone. I was planning to woe Emma and marry her later on. Yet now that I know that Ava had moved on. Moved on to the point she felt comfortable enough to let another man touch. I feel like a fucking piece of me died. I can’t explain it and I don’t know why, but I feel lost. 3 “So what is she going to do?” he pulls me back to the present with his question.

“I don’t know” I whisper, staring at the amber liquid in my glass.

I debate telling him what happened at the cliff, but I stop myself. She has been through too much already, I wasn’t going to tell my brother what she tried doing in her darkest moment. She deserved to be protected and that was what I was going to do.

“Sir, this came in for you” Mike, my bartender hands me a small envelope.

He leaves immediately after.

“What is it?” Gabe asks curiously, moving to the edge of his seat.

“I don’t know” I tell him as I open it.

A piece of paper falls out. I unfold it and read it.

(I’m not one to go after kids, so you can rest assured that I won’t go after your son I can’t say the same for the rest of your loved ones though I’m coming for you Rowan and everyone you hold dear] It was signed in the Reapers insignia.

I should fear, but I don’t. All that registers is that they won’t go after Noah. That’s all that matters to me right now. novelbin I never want to feel the fear I felt when I saw her on that cliff. It was time for Noah to come home.

He has always been Ava life line, and now more than ever she needs him.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 62-Noah’s back Ava I’m cleaning the house. A thorough cleaning just to keep my mind off things. I’m still coming to terms with the fact that I’m pregnant.

When Rowan rejected the idea of us having another baby. I all but gave up on giving Noah a sibling. Now I have another baby on the way and I didn’t know how to feel.

My phone rings and I pick it up. Normally I would have refused to pick up, but not today. Pushing those close to me away wasn’t doing me any good..

“Hi Letty” I murmur while sitting down.

I’ve been so tired of late. I should have known that there was something more to it.

“Oh my God. You picked up. I thought you wouldn’t” she screams through the phone before sniffing. “I missed hearing your voice. It’s been weeks” م “I’m sorry.” I release a breath. “I just didn’t know how to handle everything so I pushed you away” I’ve never been good at communicating my feelings. I’ve never been good at even acknowledging them. When I’m stressed or over emotional, I shut down. I try to bury them so that I can function properly. Pushing my emotions down is usually better than acknowledging them. Now I know that isn’t healthy at all.

“Are you okay now?” “Not all the way, but I will be” I assure her.

I don’t know how I plan to do that, but I was going to come out of this stronger.

I still can’t believe that I thought of killing myself and my own child. I may not know how to feel, but this baby was my blood. Just like Noah is. I plan to be a good mother. I plan to be the best mother to him or her.

I shake those thoughts away. I don’t want to think of how low I had hit. I don’t want to think of what I almost did.

“I’m pregnant” I whisper, when she doesn’t say anything after a while.

What? She shrieks in surprise “When did you find out?” “About a week ago Just like win Noah, his baby is unexpected and unplanned. That won’t stop me from loving him or her. I always wanted another child. I may not like his or her father right now, but it’s not their Laush Oh darling, congratulations” she tells me as the surprises fades and joy fills her tone.

You sound happy about the news. I thought you wouldn’t, given who the father is” “I am. I truly believe that a baby is a blessing, and this baby is who you need to pull you through the heartache you’ve recently been through. This baby is your saving grace. He or she came to you just in time.” She takes a deep breath as emotions clogs her voice.

“You were drowning, Ava. I could see it. Everyone could see it. I believe this baby has done what no one else has managed to do. Pulling you out of the darkness” I think about what she’s said and it’s true. It’s because of Noah and this child that I want to get better. That I’m willing to get the help I need.

“Thank you for trying Letty. Even when I kept pushing you away, you still kept trying. You never gave up on me” I was close to tears.

Every single thing makes me emotional now.

You’re my bestfriend. More like the sister I never had. Of course I wouldn’t give up on you because I know you would do the same” We catch up after that. Moving away from serious conversations. By the time we say goodbye and hang up. It was an hour or so later.

It felt nice talking to her. I didn’t realize how much I had missed her. Just how lonely I had been these past few weeks. I felt more like myself, now. I wasn’t quite there yet, but I was on my way.

I finish cleaning and I am exhausted by the time I am done. I collapse on the sofa, just as I hear my front door open.

I frown. Who the hell would dare enter my house without knocking or ringing the bell?

My question is answered when I hear his sweet voice.

Mommy Mommy I am home!” he screams.

A big smile takes over my face and I stand up. I rush out of the living room just as he breaks through the entry way.

“Noah!” His body crashes with mine. I hug him close to me as tears fall down my face. His body just fits perfectly. I had missed him.

Kissing him all over his face, I hold him tighter.

“Mom!” he giggle, but he doesn’t push me away.

“I’ve missed you so much! How are you here right now?” I ask him as I pull away a little though I don’t let him go.

We were both on the floor, but I didn’t care. I was just so fucking happy to have him here with me.

“Dad, came for me. He said you needed me. It was supposed to be a surprise, that’s why I didn’t tell you when we talked yesterday” It was only after he mentions his father that I realize Rowan was standing before him. Our eyes lock. I see an emotion in his eyes, but I just can’t figure out what it is.

“Hi” I say softly.

He has been by my house everyday just to check up on. He has been supportive and kind.

Something that still surprises me. He was so different from the Rowan I was used to that I didn’t know how to react to this version of him. 2 True to his words, he got me a therapist who I began seeing three days ago. Every time he does something nice, I’m left surprised by his action. It was so unlike him. 1 “Hey, Ava…how are you today?” he asks with a small smile.

“I’m good” I shrug. I was making steps to get better and that’s what matters.

Noah pulls at my sleeves and I look at him. “Is it true that you’re having a baby?” I glare at Rowan who looks at me sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.

“Yes” I tell him in fear.

3/5 He has never said anything about wanting a sibling, so I don’t know how he’ll to react.

I’m surprised when a huge smile takes over his face and he bumps his fist in the air “Oh man, this is so cool” he screams in happiness. “Can you make the baby be a girl? I always wanted a baby sister“.

His joy eases something in my heart. A bit of the panic I had settles down. If Noah is okay with me having another baby, then everything will work out.

“It doesn’t work like that, baby” I gently explain it to him. “It’s a fifty–fifty percent chance, so it might be a boy” “No! It’s a girl mommy. I’m going to get a baby sister because that’s what I want and I always get what I want” his face is etched in determination.

Right now he looks so much like Rowan that it’s really uncanny.

“Noah…” I didn’t want him to be disappointed if in case the baby is boy.

“No” he goes to argue but Rowan cuts him off.

“Buddy, could you give me and your mom a chance to talk?” he looks between the two of us before nodding his head and going upstairs.

I had made a live video and given him a tour of the house, so he knows where his bedroom is.

“How did you know I needed him?” I ask him standing up.

He shrugs his shoulder. “Call it instincts, I can’t really explain it” “I’m happy to see him, but isn’t it unsafe for him? The Reaper’s still remain a threat even if we haven’t heard from them” He sighs “Don’t worry about that, they won’t hurt Noah. I can’t promise about the rest, but Noah isn’t a target and for me that’s all that matters” I don’t feel particular anything when he mentions the rest. Like he said, Noah is my main concern.

Apart from Letty, the others could burn in hell.

“Thanks for bringing him back and for everything you done for me” I tell him genuinely. He has done a lot for me these past few days, and I’ll always be grateful.

“Anything for you, Ava.” I frown when he says that. It was so weird hearing him say that when he has never really cared about me. I was tempted to check his forehead. Just to make sure that he doesn’t have a fever.

Before I can dwell on why he’s changed so much. Running footsteps echo as they come down the stairs.

“Mom! My room is awesome…It looks better than in the video” he screeches.

I smile. It really doesn’t matter why Rowan has changed. It shouldn’t be my concern. Beside I’ve got so many things to think about. Like how the hell I was going to face Ethan tomorrow.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 63-I love her Ethan When put my plan in motion, I never expected to fall in love with her. That was the biggest hindsight known that has ever happened to me.

I thought it would be easy. Just kill her and I would have everything I’ve worked for. I didn’t know that it would turn out to be harder than anything I’ve ever done.

Ava isn’t the kind of woman you ignore. She isn’t the type of woman you brush aside. She’s the type you fall in love. The kind of woman who makes you want to be a better man.

I knew the moment I started falling in love with her. I tried preventing it, but it was impossible. It was similar to trying to avoid a head on collision. It was just nearly impossible.

When I realized I had fallen for her, I tried fixing things but it was already too late. The damage had been done and I knew that it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. Instead of letting her go and backing away, I held on to her for the little time I knew I had with her.

Hurting her will always be my biggest regret. Her pain was mine too. While her heart was breaking, mine was breaking alongside hers. I destroyed a future we might have had because of greed and if she never forgave, I would understand.

“Ethan, you got a visitor” a guard says.

I refused to see my parents every time they came to see me. I was fucking ashamed. They took me in. They loved me. They gave me their name and I turned around and stabbed them in the back by trying to kill their biological daughter.

I don’t understand how they can still want to see me or be near me. If I were them, I wouldn’t have been so forgiving.

“Ethan…” he shouts. I turn back and give him a cold look.

For a moment I think of telling him to tell them I don’t want to see them, but something stops me.

Something prevents the words from coming out.

I nod my head and he gestures to my hands. After extending them, he handcuffs me, before leading me out of my cell.

I’m a new bee here, but no one dares to touch. Mainly because I’m a tough motherfucker and I I walk out and freeze. The last person I expected to come see me was seated in the furthest corner.

I walk slowly as if I was in a daze. Unable to believe that Ava was actually here.

The guard, unlocks my cuffs.

“Ava?” I choke out as I take a seat and face her.

I memorize her face. Knowing that this is probably the last time I would see her. She was most likely here to get closure. Most women seek that, before moving on.

She wrings her hand as she looks at me. It’s not long before she’s dropping her eyes. As if just looking at me was causing her pain. Seeing her beautiful face just makes all I’ve lost the more real. I will never have her again. Never have a future with her. I’ll never make her my wife nor will I get to see her belly growing with my kid.

I feel the loss deep inside my bones. My cold beating heart hurting in a way that it has never before. Because of my own greed, I lost the only women I’ve ever and probably will ever love.

“I didn’t know whether to come or not. Whether you’ll even care or not, but I just had to come” she says in a small unsure voice.

The fucking grip around my heart tightens. The fact that she’s unsure while talking to me, just shows how much I’ve broken her. All the progress she was able to make was destroyed by my betrayal.

“What is it, Ava?” I ask her, my voice softening.

I wanted to hold her, I just wasn’t sure if she would let me. If she would pull away. She was no longer mine, so I had no rights to her.

She takes a deep breath. “I-I” She’s unable to finish the sentence. My brows pull together as I try to stem the worry inside. Was something wrong? Why was she having a hard time telling me what was eating her up?

“Ava…” “I’m pregnant” she whispers, looking down at the table.

I still. Sure that I hadn’t heard her correctly. She said she was pregnant, but that couldn’t be the fucking case.

“What?” “I’m pregnant.” She repeats. “I found out a week ago and got it confirmed. I’m around three months along I can’t believe that I was going to be a father. That Ava and I managed to create life together. I still remember the way her body felt against mine. How making love to her felt like fucking heaven I was honestly honored that she was carrying my child. I wouldn’t have picked a better mother for my baby.

Just as that thoughts crosses my mind another one crashes inside my head painfully.

“You’re here to tell me you don’t want the baby and are getting an abortion, right?” I ask her stiffly, every joint in my body locking.

She looks up sharply at me. Fire burning inside those brown orbs. For a moment I see the old Ava back. The one she was becoming before I broke her.

“Why the hell would you think that?” she snaps. “I admit, when I found out I wasn’t in my right frame of mind and I thought the baby would be better off not being born, but I quickly came back to my senses.” I heave a sigh of relief. I don’t know what I would have fucking done if she had told me she didn’t want to have my baby.

“I came to tell you because I wanted to know what you want to do. I know that you don’t really care about me so maybe you wouldn’t care about the baby too. Do you want to be in his or her life?” (1 I think about it before answering. “No” It pained me to say it, but the baby was better off without me. I am a monster for what I did to Ava.

She’s silent for a while, before she stands up and picks up her bag. My head falls forward. Hiding the pain that I was feeling inside.

She goes to leave, but then she stops and sits back down.

“Why?” she demands. “Is it because you were just using me?” “What can I offer him or her? I’m in prison, Ava. By the time I get out, he or she will be an adult. I’ll miss all the milestones, I’ll never get to be a real father to them, plus who wants a dad that would do such despicable things to their mom?” I ask, desperate to have her understand.

She doesn’t say anything for a while. I think I’ve made her see reason, but she surprises me “I know, but you’re their father Whether you’re in prison or not, it won’t change that. You can be with us through every milestone, Ethan. I can include you if you want. You never have to miss anything. This baby derserves to know his or her father and your child will love you despite your sins, you just have to be there for them” “You’re willing to bring our baby here for visitations?” I ask in surprise.

“Yes” 1 stare at her in surprise. Ava was truly phenomenal. I don’t understand how the hell Rowan was able to resist falling in love with her for the nine years they were together.

“Thank you” I tell her, my voice so full of emotion.

She nods her head and begins to stand. “I need to go, but I’ll be in touch. I’ll reach out again after my next appointment. In the meantime you can have this” She gives me a copy of a scan. It doesn’t take long to figure out what I’m looking at. I’m not an emotional man, but tears fill my fucking eyes.

“I care about you” I tell her before she can leave.

At my words, she stops and turns to face me.

“W–what?” “I’ll hate myself more if you leave without hearing me.” I breathe out. “I fucking love you, Ava. I don’t know when it happened or how it happened, but it did. I love you with every beating of my heart” Her breath hitches and mist fills her eyes. “You have to know that it’s too late now” she whispers.

“I know. I fucked up, but that still doesn’t change the fact that I fell fast and hard for you” “I saw a future with you, you know that? It was so tangible and bright. My feelings for you were blooming. I was on my way to giving you my whole heart. Broken pieces and all. Instead you destroyed everything” I stand, unable to take the crashing pain. I knew she was fond of me and liked my company. I didn’t know that she had developed feelings for me. That she was on her way to falling in love with me.

That knowledge was killing me Destroying me from the inside out. I lost everything and because of my foolishness, I couldn’t be an ever present father to my child Because of my stupidity, I’m now missing out on having a great woman by my side.

“Will you ever forgive me?” I ask brokenly.

“Maybe some time later in the future, but not right now” Before I can think and back out, I pull her into my arms and kiss her with a passion that’s suffocating, knowing very well that this is the last time I’ll ever kiss her. That this is the last time she’ll ever allow me to kiss her. novelbin This was our goodbye kiss. Deep down I know that I’ve lost my chance with her.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 64-Anita Ava I sat at a private booth enjoying a piece of cake. Noah was spending the night at Rowan’s so I was child free tonight.

I was feeling good for some reason. In that good feeling, I decided to grab something to eat. I was in the mood for some comfort food. That’s why I was currently here eating dessert like I’ve been starved for days.

My visit to prison was eventful. I had fully expected Ethan to tell me he doesn’t want the baby. Instead I got more than I had bargained for.

His confession of love left me feeling empty in a way. He had to understand that it was too late now. I wouldn’t ever think about being with him. He tried killing me for heaven’s sake! If I go back to him, what does that say about me?

I wasn’t cruel enough to deny him his rights as a father. Even if I didn’t want to see him personally. I could always ask Nora to take the baby to him. That was the furthest I was willing to go. The biggest effort I was willing to make when it came to Ethan. Anything beyond that would be downright stupid.

I decided that I was done with men. I mean no good can come out of chasing love. I wanted love from two men and what I got was heartbreak and pain.

It was time for me to give up on love, because the way I see it, it doesn’t want me. It never has. I am learning to make peace with that. Now I was going to focus on being my best version. Focus on being the best mother.

I push another piece of cake in my mouth and moan. It felt like heaven as the taste explodes in my mouth.

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll get fat? I mean you already are, but I fear you will get fatter” the shrill voice makes me snap my eyes open.

I groan when I open my eyes and find Anita staring at me with a mean look. Behind her were some of her co–workers. They laugh when they hear her insulting me, but I honestly don’t care.

Right now they were all insignificant.

She was one of Rowan’s financial advisors and as you can tell, she doesn’t like me. She and 1/5 +15 BONUS I never really understood where their hate came from Sure I was married to Rowan. Who they both wanted, but anyone with a brain could tell that Rowan hated my guts.

“I’m talking to you fat bitch” she screeches when I continue to ignore her.

“Sure, talk away. Doesn’t mean I have to listen to a fucking word you say” I respond before drinking a glass of juice.

Back when we married, I always kept quiet when she would say awful things to me. I was so desperate to please Rowan, to get him to like me, that I let his workers walk all over me. Part of me wanted to believe he was oblivious to their mean treatments, but I just can’t let myself think that he didn’t know.

“You think you’re something now that you’re apparently rich?” she sneers. “I bet you got your money by getting on your back” At that, I laugh. These kind of women are so insecure that they think everyone gets to the top by spreading their legs.

I speak after my laugh dies down. “I’m not you, Anita” “You bitch! How dare you” she goes to lunge at me, but I stand up and glare at her.

I was done letting these stupid idiots walk over me.

“Take one more step towards me and you’re going to regret it” I snap, my eyes narrowing in slits.” The Ava you knew took your insults lying down, I promise I won’t. You push me, I’ll push back harder and I fucking swear you won’t like what I do” She looks behind her, before fixing her green eyes on me. She dragged her friends to my table expecting to humiliate me. The jokes on her, though.

“Are you threatening me?” she walks towards me, trying to intimidate me.

I shrug “Sure, if that’s how you want to take it” “One word from me and Rowan will be on your ass….we’ve danced this game before Ava. You know all I have to tell Rowan is that you’ve been rude to me and he will blow up on you” Before, that would have made me bow down. I desperately didn’t want to have any more problems with Rowan, so I would let her humiliate me. She would revel in it. Feeling powerful that she was ” 2/5 15 BONUSI give her a smile “Go ahead. I honestly don’t give a fuck. In fact, why don’t you take your phone out right now and call him? I challenge her “You think I won’t?” I’m counting on you doing it” I reply smugly.

Slowly by slowly, the self–esteem I thought I had lost after Ethan betrayed me was starting to come back. Never will I allow a man to make me hit rock bottom again.

“What’s going on here?” a stern voice says.

I look up to find Corrine staring between us. We weren’t friends, more like acquaintances or business partner. Her father’s construction firm is the one I use when building Hope Houses. She is the owner of this restaurant. The construction firm is a family company and she was a shareholder, but the restaurants were all hers.

“This woman here is causing a disturbance, I suggest you kick her out” Anita rushes to speak. “We were just minding our own business when she started calling me names” I smirk. Folding my hands across my chest as I watch her make a fool of herself.

Everyone knows who Corrine is. No one though, knows that we know each other. I was waiting for the show to start. Unlike Rowan, Corinne wasn’t easily fooled.

“Is that so?” she asks, her voice low.

I never let myself get too close to her. She wanted us to be friends, but at that time I thought that no one would want a loser like me as a friend. Instead I kept her at arm length. Only talking to her when business was involved.

Anita nods her head. She gives her friends a small signal and they all agree with her. What a bunch of idiots.

“Do you think I’m stupid? Do you think this entire place has no cameras?” he asks them. “I saw everything and then you dare lie to me?” I see the moment Anita realizes she has fucked up. She swallows hard, panic etched on her face.

“It’s just a misunderstanding” she struggles to say, clutching at straws.

“Get out!” 315 “I said get out of my fucking restaurant! I won’t have a lowly bitch with no manners try and humiliate my friend in my own fucking restaurant” Corrine was seething and it was written all over her face.

I was suprised she called me her friend, but I push the thought away.

“Are you going to leave or do you want me to have my body guards drag you out?” “Fine, the food here isn’t even good” she huffs.

We all know that she’s lying. This was one of the best restaurants in the city. Everyone knew that.

Anita turns around to leave, it’s only then I realize that we had attracted attention. Before she can leave, Corrine calls her name.

“And Anita?” “What?” she snaps. novelbin “You’re no longer welcomed at any of my restaurants. That goes for you friends too” I smirk when her mouth falls open in shock. She then stomps away. Her friends hot on her heels.

Cursing her for getting them banned.

“Thank you for that, Corrine. She was starting to get on my damn nerves” I humph.

“It’s okay…it was no problem” she gives me a small smile.

I go to tell her something more, when my name is called.

“Ava?” I freeze at the sound of her voice.

I turn around to find Rowan’s mom standing behind me. Next to her with tears in her eyes, is the woman I thought was my mother. The woman who called me her daughter, but treated me like I was nothing.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 65-Heart to heart “Ava can we please talk?” mother pleads when I move to leave.

1 stare at her, not sure what she wanted. What was there to talk about? Hasn’t everything already been said and done?

“There isn’t anything for us to talk about, Mother” I insist.

Looking back, I see now how I made a distinction when it came to her and father. While Emma and Travis referred to them as mom and dad, to me they were Father and Mother. Clean, cut and completely impersonal.

I never truly acknowledged them as my parents, because deep down I just knew. Parents don’t hate their children. Parents don’t neglect their child and treat them like shit. I made what I called them impersonal because on a spiritual level, I didn’t consider them my parents.

“Please, I beg you” she pleads with tears in her eyes.

It was so strange looking at her with tears in her eyes. Her face flushed and soft. This is a look I’ve never seen her direct at me. Her face was always in a frown. She always looked at me with a certain cold indifference that was specifically targeted at me.

“How about you show me to our table as they talk?” Martha, Rowan’s mom asks Corrine while cutting off what I was about to say.

Corrine looks skeptical. Like she didn’t want to leave me. After all, it was known that the Sharp family weren’t my biggest fan even though I was apparently their daughter.

Martha doesn’t give Corrine a chance. Instead she links their hands and pulls her away in the opposite direction.

I sigh and take my seat. “Let’s just get this over with, looks like you won’t leave me alone until you’ve said your piece, so do it now before I change my mind” I tell her coldly.

I used to adore this woman back in my younger days. When I was around five or six. That quickly changed when I realized that she didn’t feel the same way. It changed when I realized she treated me as if I was more of a burden, than a daughter.

She hesitantly takes her seat before taking my hands in hers. I pull them away. Not wanting her to touch me. I didn’t want her near me. The part of me that had longed for such moments was long Tm sorry, Ava More than you’ll ever know” she whispers, folding into herself.

Instead of saying anything. I keep quiet. I always imagined this moment. Always day dreamed of her apologizing to me, then pulling me into her arms. I used to crave it. Pray for it. Hope for the day to come. Now that it’s here, the joy I thought I would feel is nonexistent. I feel absolutely nothing as I stare at her.

The way I treated you was wrong. You were just a child and instead of embracing you, I pushed you away. You loved me, loved us, but we gave you nothing but scorn. I wish more than anything that I could go back in time and change things. Go back and be the mother you deserved” she said before continuing.

“I never saw your value. Never acknowledged that you’re the best daughter anyone can have. It took almost losing you to realize how much you mean to me” She was full on crying. If I was my old self, then her tears would have moved me. I wasn’t though, and her tears meant absolutely nothing to me.

Years of pain. More than twenty five years of hurting. It can’t be erased by a few drops of tears. It just doesn’t work like that. It would heaven’s intervention inorder for that to happen.

“Look, let’s cut to the crap okay? If this is about the threat my mother made on your company, we can discuss it as adults. There is no need for you to try and sweeten me up, that shit won’t work. Instead of all the drama, why don’t you tell me the real reason you wanted us to talk” I tell her emotionlessly.

I see hurt flash in her eyes, but I don’t care. She’s been hurting me for years. This was nothing compared to what I had to endure at her hands and that of her family.

Besides, I wasn’t sure why she looked hurt. I was sure that the only reason she was here was to try and save their family company.

“It hurts that you would think that of me. That you would think that the only reason I was apologizing was so I could save the company. Then again I have no one to blame but myself. It’s because of my own actions that you find me so untrustworthy” Looking at her now, you couldn’t tell she was the same woman who used to yell at me for the slightest mistake. Who used to treat me like I didnt matter. It was so weird. We’ve never had a heart to heart, so sitting here as she pours out her heart is a bit unsettling.

“I truly want your forgiveness. I want to be your mother in every way. I want to build what I shattered I want to win back the love I so carelessly threw away” I sigh. “I don’t want to come off as mean, but first of all you’re not my mother. The DNA test report I have back at home can prove that. Second, that ship sailed a long time ago. You and me? Being close? That will never happen. Lastly, I don’t want you in my life. In fact, I would prefer if you and your children continued ignoring me like I didn’t exist. You did it for close to three decades, it shouldn’t be a hardship for you to continue doing it” Some would say I was being ungrateful and maybe I was. The only thing they gave me was materialistic in nature. For me, the emotional aspect may be more important than material things. Knowing now what I know, I would have preferred if they had dumped me in an orphanage instead “Please don’t say that. Don’t say it’s too late” her soft pleading voice pulls me to the present.

“But it’s the truth. You’re more than twenty five years too late” She wipes her tears. Determination etched on her face. “I won’t give up on you, Ava. You’re still my daughter and I’ll do anything to get your love back” I breathe out and rub my temples. I could already feel a migraine coming on.

I don’t say anything as she stands up. Nor do I look up. She can continue being delusional for all I care, but nothing was going to make me change my mind. I feel nothing when it comes to her. She managed to kill the love I had for her and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

“Before I go, I wanted to give you this. Your father told me to give it to you before he died. I just never got a chance to” I don’t acknowledge her. Instead I continue ignoring her. When she sees this, she lets out a sigh and places something on the table.

It’s after she walks away that I look at what she left. I’m shocked to find a piece of paper that had bloody finger prints.

Only after looking at it for over five minutes that it hits me. This piece of paper is the same one that I saw father handing over to her before he went to surgery.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 66-His letter 1 stare at the piece of paper on my table, not really sure what to do about it.

I was now at home. I had gotten back like an hour ago. The whole time, I spent it debating whether I should open it or tear it to pieces The paper had been burning a hole in my purse the entire time I drove back home. Now, here I am Still staring at it.

A part of me was curious about it contents. The other didn’t much care about what was written. The man who wrote it hated me. What good could come out of reading a letter written by him?

I pick it up, about to tear it, but a voice stops me.

‘Just read the damn thing. What’s the worst that could happen?‘ my inner voice whispers.

I cringe at the words.

Famous last words. I think to myself.

The worst thing that could happen is he hurts me.

Words were dangerous. They cause more damage than any weapon can. I still remember some of the harsh words my so called parents said to me over the years. The wounds their words inflicted have never truly healed.

‘Just open it!‘ the voice screams.

Not giving myself a second to back out, I unfold the letter.

[Dear Ava, If you’re reading this then it’s because I didn’t make it out of surgery. Truth be told, I don’t think I will. They’re trying to save me not knowing that their efforts are futile. I am too far gone and I can already see you grandparents calling me to come join them. It may be the imagination of a dying man or not, but I believe I have a special place in hell for how I treated you.

You were such a sweet girl when Winnie left you with us, but we destroyed that. We destroyed your light and I will forever regret that I did that to you my sweet girl.

I remember when she still had you. I used to play with you and Emma. You were so innocent and evening and playing with you, Travis and Emma] I pause reading the letter. My mind confused. None of what he said was making any sense. If he used to like being around me when Winnie was still alive, then what the hell changed?

Looking down at the piece of paper, I continue reading.

[I don’t know what happened. I don’t know why I turned out to be such a monster to you, but when Winnie died and she asked us to take you in, something just shifted inside me. Inside all of us.

I am not using this as an excuse because nothing can make how we treated you right. It was downright disgusting and uncalled for.

I know that this is my punishment. Karma is really a vengeful bitch. I am getting exactly what I deserve for how I treated you my darling Ava.

Before I leave this world, I want to tell you how sorry I am. For everything I did to you. It will never be enough to make up for what I did and said, but it’s all I have. I’m so sorry for being a fool. Sorry for being the worst father. Sorry for being the monster in your fairytale, I won’t ask for forgiveness because I don’t deserve it. What I deserve is to burn in the pits of hell.

All I ask is that you be there for your mother. She’ll need you. She has a good heart and once she realizes her mistakes towards you, she’ll break.

Always remember that I love you. I may not have showed it to you, but I do.

Goodbye my darling sweet girl.] I fold the paper and shove it back in my bag feeling angry for some reason.

I don’t know why the letter affected me so much when mother’s tears didn’t. May be it’s because this was the last thing he wrote before died. Correct that, he wrote it while dying.

I stand up abruptly and leave for my bedroom. I push every thought away.

I don’t want to think about them. I don’t want to think about the pain they caused me. I just don’t want to think about anything. I block them because I know that if I allow them to run rampant in my head, then I would drown.

I can’t afford to be weak right now. It would cost me more than I’m willing to bargain. I had already reached my breaking point. I wasn’t going to risk going back to the darkness that almost claimed my soul.

I get on my bed and lie down Refusing to let the tears flow. I’ve cried enough for these people. I novelbin wasn’t going to waste my tears on people that didn’t deserve anything from me.

Soon tiredness catches up to me. The fatigue, both emotional and physical weighs me down and I fall into a dreamless sleep.

When I wake up it’s around eleven o’clock.

Shit! I scramble from my bed, falling down in the process. I was supposed to pick Noah up at nine since Rowan had to fly out for a business meeting.

I scramble to take a shower and get ready. Doing it in less than ten minutes. Once I’m done I rush down the stairs, praying I don’t trip and break my neck in the process.

I stop in my tracks when I notice Rowan and Noah in the kitchen having breakfast. He was wearing a suit and was making pancakes. It was so weird given I’ve never seen him cook.

“Mommy, you’re finally awake” Noah screams with his mouth full. “I wanted to wake you up, but dad told me to let you sleep” “What’s going on here?” I ask in confusion.

“I’m making breakfast. Take a seat and eat something. I want to finish these before I leave” Rowan replies while flipping the pancakes.

“Aren’t you already late for your meeting? You should have woken me up” “Fuck the meeting. You looked like you needed the sleep, so I let you sleep” he says as if it were that simple.

He was so out of character that I don’t know what to think. This was a side of him I didn’t know existed. I don’t want to see it because I don’t want to think of him as the good guy. I don’t want to see this caring and kind version of him because I wasn’t ready to forgive him for the pain he caused me.

I place some eggs and toast on my plate almost robotically. Still not sure what the hell had gotten into him.

“When is your next doctor’s appointment?” he asks me out of the blue.

I look up and stare into his eyes. Trying to figure out what kind of game he was trying to play.

“Next Friday. Why?” I narrow my eyes into slits, completely suspicious “Nothing. I just wanted to know” He turns off the stove once the last pancake is cooked and turns.

“I have to leave.” He checks his watch before looking up again.

Moving around the kitchen island, he comes and bends down giving Noah a kiss to the cheek. He turns to me and I hold my breath as I see the indecision in his eyes.

I still and pray that he walks away. I didn’t want him near me. His presence was already suffocating me, making it hard for me to breathe.

“I’ll see you two when I get back” he says and I breathe a sigh of relief when he backs away.

“Okay dad. Remember to bring me a present” Noah tells him and I just nod my head instead of answering.

He gives me one last look. Like he’s debating on telling me something, but thinks otherwise. His face shuts down. The cold and indifferent Rowan I was used to, now back in place. Turning around without another word, he stomps out and leaves.

I continue staring at the place he was. Still trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Why the hell was he behaving as if he actually cared about me?

Laughing humorlessly, I push a piece of pancake in my mouth. Rowan didn’t care about me. He was just playing along for the sake of Noah. He was keeping up pretense. Just like we always do.

That was it. There was nothing more to it, right?

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 67-New Grandparents “Mommy where are we going?” Noah asks me as I lock our house.

I hadn’t planned on this little trip, but I knew it was something that I needed to do. Nora and Theo have been calling me for days. They wanted a relationship with me, but instead I kept keeping them at arm’s length.

I decided that I was going to give them a chance. After all, how was I supposed to know if they truly loved me if I just kept pushing them away? And besides, I needed more good people in my life.

“I want you to meet some people” I reply, taking his hand in mine as I lead him towards my car. novelbin As we were walking towards the car, my eyes gets caught by the moving vehicle that was parked a few meters down from my house.

“Looks like someone is moving in” I tell Noah. “We’re going to have a new neighbor.” The house has been empty for months. It was similar in structure to mine with the only difference being it looked a bit bigger. 2 “Man, I hope they have a kid my age” Noah says in excitement. “Don’t get me wrong mom. I love this place, but it’s full of old people” I chuckle at that. When I picked this place, I didn’t realize we would be surrounded by elderly people who were all up in your business. I chose this place because of the tranquility and the big yard. The other two kids in this community were like fifteen house down from us.

“Well baby, let’s hope so” I say as I help him get in the car and buckle up.

I get in and start the car. I was nervous and we weren’t even half way to where we were going. I was so used to getting hurt that I was skeptical and doubtful about anyone who wanted to get close to me.

Pushing the nervousness away, I try to focus on driving.

“So, who are we going to see?” Noah breaks the silence bouncing in his seat.

One thing about Noah is that he doesn’t like being kept in suspense. A character that is just like his father. He prefers knowing things in advance and doesn’t like anything that surprises him which is a weird character for a kid.

7/5 +15 BONUS “You’ll just have to wait and see” I smile at him. “They are people I currently met and they’ve been dying to meet you” His brows pull together in a frown. Right now he reminds me so much of Rowan. Noah was an exact replica of his dad. It showed in the way he looked and behaved.

“Can’t you just tell me? You know I don’t like surprises” he grumbles See what I told you? He doesn’t like not knowing.

“I promise this is going to be a good surprise” I assure him.

He was going to be so happy when he realizes he’s getting two additional grandparents. Mainly because he knows it will mean more gifts and love for himself. As much as he is looking forward to having a sibling, he can’t hide that he loves being the only grandchild.

“Mommy, is dad going to marry your sister Emma?” Noah asks after a while.

My breath stills at his question.

“Probably” I mumbled.

Even though I feel the familiar pain. It isn’t as earth shattering as it used to be. I accepted it long time ago. Rowan wasn’t mine. He never was. He always belonged to Emma mind body and soul.

Right now they may have hit a rough patch because of her lies, but they will get back together eventually.

Their love has spanned over a decade. It’s impossible for them not fix what’s broken. Sooner or later, when they worked their issues, they’ll resume their romance.

“I don’t want that…I don’t want a stepmother” he says in a small voice.

It breaks my heart to hear him so sad, but there is nothing I can do about it. Rowan and I were wrong from the beginning. We shouldn’t have gotten married and I will always regret that I didn’t fight harder when he said we should marry.

Life would have been easier if I had. Instead we got married and pretended we loved each other in front of Noah. Now he was having a hard time accepting someone else as Rowan’s possible wife.

“Noah…” “I want you and dad together. You were happy together, you loved each other. Why can’t you go back to that?” he asks sullenly How do I tell him that nothing he was saying was real? That Rowan and I weren’t happy together.

That we weren’t in love and that we played a part for his sake. How do I tell him that Rowan had always been in love with Emma? That my obsession with him led to them breaking up.

“Right now you’re too young to understand, but when you’re older I’ll explain things, then you’ll understand why your father and I can’t be together” It pained me to see the sadness in his eyes, but in this case, I have to break his little heart. There was nothing between Rowan and I. There never was and there will never be. Our ship went up in flames before it even got a chance to sail.

“I’m not giving up mommy. I told you, I want you and dad together and I always get what I want” Determination was etched in his voice as he said the words.

I sigh. “Not this time my love” Silence falls upon us as we drive. Soon enough, we get to the upscale neighborhood that my parents were currently residing in.

I pull up to the electronic gates. After imputing the passcode on the small touch screen located on the side, the gates open. Theo had given me the passcode in case I ever wanted to come visit them.

We drive along the small road that was lined with trees. It was about a five minute drive before you got to the huge beautiful house.

“Wow, this is awesome. It’s even more impressive than grandma and grandpa’s house” Noah says referring to Rowan’s parents‘ house. 1 I grin. He was going to be surprised when I tell him that this was also his grandparent’s house.

I park the car in front of the manicured garden. After switching it off, we get out. I take his hand and slowly start walking towards the house.

Noah’s eyes darted everywhere. His eyes taking in as much as he can. Excitement and awe was written all over his face.

Before I can ring the doorbell, the door opens and a butler greets us.

“Welcome madam and young sir” he says politely, his hands behind his back. “If you follow me, I’ll take you to them. They’re waiting for you.

We follow him silently. The inside of the house was just as impressive as the outside. Everything We find Nora and Theo seated in the living room. The moment she sees us, Nors stands up and rushes towards us. Pulling me into a hug before doing the same with Noah, who freezes in shock “Let the boy go Nora darling. You’re probably suffocating the boy” Theo says in an amused voice “So sorry Noah” she says to Noah before turning to me. “I just never thought that you’d come or give us a chance. I’m so happy that you’re here,” Before I can say anything, Noah cuts in. As always he’s direct. Cutting straight to the point.

“Excuse me Mrs. But who are you?” he asks, his grey eyes piercing both Nora and Theo Nora seems off balance for a bit, but Theo looks proud at Noah’s directness, “Noah, I want you to meet my parents, your grandparents, Nora and Theo Howell” I watch him closely. Looking at how he will react to the news.

“I’m confused” he says with a frown on his face. “Aren’t Ma and Pa your parents?” “Not my biological parents. I was adopted by them. You know what adoption means right? I ask as I kneel in front of him.

He nods “Yes, it’s when a mother and father take in a baby that isn’t their own and raises them” “Exactly” “But where were they? Why did they let Ma and Pa adopt you? Didn’t they want you?” he pauses his face going hard. “If they didn’t want you then I don’t want anything to do with them” My heart swells with so much love for my baby boy. That he was willing to reject anyone that didn’t want me meant everything to me.

Nora kneels down beside us and takes Noah into her arms. “We did want your mom. We just thought she had died when she was a baby. We didn’t know that someone had stolen her from the hospital and lied to us” I watch as Noah tries to process what he was being told. He turns to me. Silently asking if what Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated For All Books Updates… she said was true. I nod my head and the frown clears from his face.

“What about Ma? Won’t she be sad losing you? And will I have to stop seeing her?” he asks.

I will never get in the way of their relationship. Mother never really gave a damn about me, but nothing to do with her, I won’t stand in the way of her relationship with Noah.

“She’ll always be your Ma, Noah. Nothing has to change that. Think about it, you’re a very lucky boy. Having five grandparents is like hitting the grandparents jackpot” I smile at him “We want to be in her life and your life if she gives us a chance, that’s all we ask” Theo says kneeling down beside us.

I look at Noah waiting for his answer. He’s silent for a while before he smiles. The moment he does, I know he has given his approval.

I stare at my found parents. “I would like that. We would like having you in our lives” Their eyes fill with tears and they pull us into the arms. I feel their love wash over us.

Things were falling into place and I wanted to believe that they will only get better from here on, but experience has taught me that the other shoe drops when you least expect it.

I was happy right now, but deep down I just knew that this rollercoaster that was now my life was far from over.

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 68-Uncharacteristic behavior I tap my feet nervously as I wait for my name to be called. I was currently sitting in the clinic’s waiting room waiting for my appointment.

To say I was nervous was an understatement because I was internally panicking.

This all felt like De ja vu. My second pregnancy and here I was going to my appointments alone. The only difference is that Ethan isn’t able to be present while with Rowan he just didn’t bother coming.

I tried so hard to ignore the fact that I was pregnant until a couple of days ago when I noticed that my waistline was increasing. My baby bump was starting to show and soon everyone will know that I’m pregnant.

I sigh tiredly and make a mental note to tell my parents. I haven’t had the heart to disclose that I was expecting Ethan’s child. Mainly because he was still their son. It will be really weird for them knowing that their biological daughter is pregnant by their adopted son.

The whole thing was messed up to say the least, but there’s nothing I can do about it. What’s done is done. This baby was here whether I liked it or not. There was no going around that little fact.

“I can feel your nervousness all the way to my fucking bones, Ava” his deep voice brings me back to the present.

I turn my head so quickly that I get a kink. I wince as I stare at him in shock. His grey eyes piercing mine. He looked as handsome as ever with the only difference being that his face looked relaxed.

“Rowan? What are you doing here?” I ask him, slowly blinking to make sure that I wasn’t hallucinating his presence.

He shrugs his shoulder and smiles. I continue staring at him in shock. I think this is the first time he has ever smiled when he was in my presence. This was probably the first smile that was directed at me.

“I’m here to support you. I didn’t want you to be alone during your appointment” he simply says.

Something was definitely wrong with him. Why the hell did it feel like a damn scam?

I get close to him and feel if he has a fever. Maybe he was sick and that what was causing this “What are you doing?” he asks frowning.

“I’m checking if you have a fever” He looked okay and he didn’t have a fever so why the hell was here? What was going on in his novelbin complicated head?

Before I can figure out what the hell had gotten into him, my name is called.

He grabs my hand and gently pull me to my feet. He then leads me towards the room where my appointment was going to take place. The entire time we are walking I stare at his strong back. Completely astonished.

We get to the room and find Dr Raven waiting for us.

“Good to see you Ava, are you ready to see how you little munchkin is doing?” she asks and as always she’s in a jovial mood.

I nod my head. Still in a daze.

“I’m assuming he’s the father?” she enquires throwing glances at Rowan.

“No! He’s just here to offer some support.” I rush quickly to say when I see Rowan start to open his mouth. He frowns at me and tightens his grip on my hand.

What in the world was wrong with this man? And why the hell did he look pissed off.

“Okay then” Dr. Raven drags the words. “You know the drill, get on the bed and pull your top up” Rowan helps me up and I do what I was instructed. I shift uncomfortably as Rowan’s eyes locks on my exposed belly. It is so weird given that the last time he saw me naked was probably last year.

Before I can think more into, Dr. Raven squirts the cold liquid on my belly and begins to move the wand around.

“Hmm” she murmurs, her face focused on the screen.

“Is something wrong?” Rowan beats me to the question.

“Everything is fine. The heartbeat is strong and the baby is growing as expected” she answers before turning towards me. “Do you want to know the gender?” she asks.

“No” I say just as Rowans says “Yes” “Since you’re not the father, I will have to ignore your answer in favor of that of Ava, unless you want to know the gender, Ava” I shake my head. “No, I want it to be a surprise just like with Noah” “My mouth is sealed then. I’m just going to print out the picture for you” she says as she switches off the machine and stands up.

“Can you print a set of two?” I ask, remembering I had promised to send Ethan updates.

“Sure” She hands me a tissue and I clean up the mess before pulling my top down. When I’m done, I look up and Rowan is still staring at the blank screen.

“Rowan?” I call him.

He shifts his eyes to me before he stands up. We leave the room and pass by the secretary’s desk.

After getting everything I need and setting up my next appointment we leave the clinic.

“I want to take you out for lunch” Rowan surprises me once again.

I look at him suspiciously “Why?” “I want us to talk” I scan the roads. Checking if I could locate a taxi. Today I came by one because I wasn’t in the mood to drive.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. We really have nothing to talk about” I focus my eyes back on him.

He runs his hands through his black hair. Seeming a bit frustrated.

“Rowan…” I was about to let him know I was leaving, but he cuts me off. His face turning stone cold.

“I won’t take no for an answer. It’s either you get in by yourself or I carry you in” he says motioning to his car.

“You wouldn’t dare” “Fucking try me, Ava” 1 He starts advancing on me and I just know that he was about to enact his threat. With a humph, I turn around and stomp towards his car.

He unlocks the car and I get in. I glare at him when he gets in and starts the car.

I keep quiet, not in the mood to talk. I was angry and confused with his sudden change in behavior. I wanted the old Rowan back. The one I was used to. This version of him was new to me and completely unpredictable. I didn’t like that.

We get to a restaurant I’ve never been to. He leads me inside where he gives his name and we’re immediately shown to our table.

“What’s going on with you Rowan?” I ask him the moment we are alone. “Your behavior of late is really confusing. I mean for heaven’s sake. You showed up to my doctor’s appointment for a baby that isn’t even yours when you never came to any of my appointments when I was pregnant with Noah” He doesn’t say anything. Just continues staring at me stonily. Reminding me of the used to. Cold, indifferent and detached.

ersion I was “You never wanted me anywhere around you before and now all of a sudden you’re everywhere.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful you pulled me back during my darkest time, but can we just go back to how things were? Can you please go back to treating me like I don’t exist?” I plead with him.

I don’t want any more changes in my life. More importantly I don’t want trouble with Emma. They didn’t want me in their lives before and then all of a sudden everyone wants to be part of it?

I want a life away from them. Away from anything or anyone that reminds of my pain and suffering. I just wanted to be left alone. I want to heal and I can’t do that while I’m still around the people who caused that pain in the first place.

You can’t heal in the same place you got hurt.

“I’m sorry” he says after a while. It was so low that I thought I had imagined it. “I was so angry at you. I didn’t want to acknowledge the part I played that night. I fucking let you take the blame and then continued to punish you for something that wasn’t entirely your fucking fault” He managed to shock me once again. He was just full of surprises today, wasn’t he? Rowan wasn’t the kind of man to apologize so the fact that he was is a miracle.

The more he spoke the more he got angry. I just wasn’t sure who his anger was directed at.

“I treated so horribly when you were just trying to make the best of a shitty situation. You were eighteen and scared, yet I let you go to all those doctor’s appointment alone. You’ll never know how much I’ll regret that.” He takes a deep breath “Why now? Why are you apologizing now when everything has already been said and done? You’ve got to know that this won’t change a thing. The damage has already been done. The best we can do is be civil towards each other” I whisper.

What has gotten into everyone? When I wanted all of them to be apologize, none was willing to. Now when I’m ready to put them in my past where they all belong is when everyone is all of a sudden apologizing for hurting me.

“I’m so fucking sorry for the role I played in hurting and destroying you. I’m not a man who ever makes mistakes, but I admit that I made the biggest fucking one in how I treated you” (4)

I hear what he was saying, but it just wasn’t registering. How was I supposed to forgive him? How was I supposed to forget everything he put me through?” 3 I keep quiet as I stare at the table. I didn’t have anything else to say because I just didn’t know if I could ever forgive him.

 

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 69-More questions We didn’t talk after that. Lunch was downright awkward as we both ate silently. My mind was reeling from his apology. I don’t know what he was expecting from me, but I sure hope it was not forgiveness. Not now at least.

After finishing our lunch he took me back home. The drive was also quiet. Both of us lost in our own thoughts. I just didn’t know how to take him in. Didn’t know what to do with this new version of him. It was all so new and strange to say the least.

“Thank you” I tell him once we reach my home. “For being with me at the appointment and for the lunch” 1 “It was no problem” he tries to smile but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

I nod and begin to get out. He stops me by grabbing my ha “I want you to let me know anytime you have appointments” he tells me, his eyes staring deep into mine. 1 I stare at him once again, unable to understand what the hell was going on in his damn mind.

“Why the hell would I do that?” I ask in confusion, pulling my hand from his.

His touch was suddenly too much. It felt like it was burning.

“Because I want to be there for you” he simply replies.

“And again I ask you, why? You weren’t there during when I was pregnant with Noah, but now you want to attend appointments for a baby that isn’t yours? Do you know how crazy that looks?

He was confusing me. I didn’t like to be confused. I didn’t like to be unsure. I didn’t like that he was behaving out of character.

Besides, I didn’t want any trouble with Emma. That would surely come if she ever finds out that Rowan is coming to my appointments.

“I just want to be there, is that so hard for you to believe?” “As a matter of fact, yes. Let’s be honest, Rowan. You’ve never cared much for me.” I sigh. “That’s actually an understatement because you downright hated me so of course this sudden show of concern is unbelievable” He doesn’t say anything for a while. Just continues staring at me in that intense way. When he continues to do it, I start fidgeting. Feeling uncomfortable with his piercing eyes directed at me.

“Just let me know because either way, I’ll find out and I’ll show up just like today” he finally speaks “Have you thought how this will impact your relationship with Emma and how she would feel?” Sure I was using Emma as a defence, but right now she was my best chance at making him see reason.

“Emma doesn’t fucking matter right now” he growls, his eyes turning cold.

I stare at him with my mouth hanging open. This was definitely a first. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would ever hear him saying that Emma didn’t matter.

“What the hell has gotten into you?” I ask him, puzzled. “Do you hear yourself? How can you say she doesn’t matter when you’ve been in love with her all your life?” The surprise punches just kept coming. I didn’t even have time to take them all in. Every word out of his mouth was trying to rewrite the reality I was used to.

I see him clench his jaw. His nose flaring at the reminder of his more than a decade long love for Emma.

“Drop it” he all but snarls at me.

I guess Emma was still a touchy subject. It didn’t faze me though. I knew sooner or later they would be back together. Emma isn’t one to give up on what she wants and Rowan has never been able to resist her or stay mad at her for long.

Feeling like I’ve said all I need to say, I push the car door open and get out. I walk around the car towards my house.

His voice stops me, making me turn.

“Remember what I said, Ava. I will be at all your appointments, whether you tell me the dates or not” With that, he fires his car and leaves. I stare for a while before turning back around.

He was being forceful and it was starting to get on my damn mind. Why couldn’t he just go back to how he was?

I was almost to my door when the sight of a man catches my attention He was watering the grass.

He suddenly turns as if feeling my eyes on him. Our gaze collide and I hold my breath. I guess he was our new neighbor.

He is hot, but that’s not what draws me in. It’s the fact that he looked really familiar. I just couldn’t place where I had seen him before, Shaking myself from those thoughts, I give him a small smile and walk into my house.

“Mommy, you’re home” Noah screams the moment I walk in.

Since my appointment was in the afternoon, I had asked his nanny to pick him up from school. She wasn’t a live in nanny. She only came on those days I was held up with one thing or another.

“Yes, how was school?” I ask as I set down my bag.

“Fun. I scored everything in my math test” “That’s good. My baby boy is a math genius” I tease him, making him blush.

“Mom” he drags the word. “Please stop” “What? It’s true and I am so proud of you” novelbin He gives me a mischievous smile and I just know he got me right where he wanted me.

“Can I play video games then since I’m a math genius?” I just knew it. He has been battering me up.

I sigh. “Fine, but only for an hour” He rushes up the stairs screaming thank you over and over again making me smile in the process.

“Hey, Maria. You’re free to leave” I tell our nanny as I walk into the kitchen.

“Are you sure?” “Yes. Now go” She smiles at me before taking her things. Fifteen minutes later she’s gone and I wish I hadn’t insisted on her to leaving.

With Noah in his room. I was alone. I had nothing to occupy my mind and so my thoughts started I was just contemplating starting dinner early when my front door opened.

“Yoohoo. Ava where are you?” Letty voice brings a smile to my face.

“In the kitchen” I shout back.

Minutes later, she walks into the room and I am surprised to see Corrine following behind her.

“Look who I found. We got here at the same time” Letty says sitting at the kitchen island.

I’d told Letty how Corrine stood up for me against Anita. She has immediately liked her, reasoning that anyone who stood up for me was worth her respect:

“What are you doing here?” I ask Corrine.

“Well, you gave me an inch at the restaurant and I thought to myself, she’s ready. I’ve always wanted to be your friend, so here I am.” There was this part of me that was sceptical. It wanted to shut her off. Instead I push it back. It was time I stopped pushing people away.

“Well, welcome to my humble home” She smiles and I smile back at her. Genuinely happy that she was here.

“I came for an entirely different reason. Have you seen the gossip column? It was posted like an hour ago” Letty asks.

“No. Why?” She hands me a phone and I read the caption. With each word I read, my mood sours.

[Billionaire Rowan Woods seen going on a lunch date with ex–wife, Ava Sharp months after their divorce and weeks after rumours of him dating her elder sister, Emma Sharp] Below was a picture of Rowan escorting me to the restaurant with his hand on my lower back.

“Shit” I curse. “This is going to cause unnecessary drama” Emma was going to shit a brick. I wasn’t afraid of her, but I just didn’t want trouble. The image portrayed a certain intimacy that wasn’t truly there. Anyone looking at it was going to think that “Is there something going on that I’m unaware of?” Letty asks as Corrine just stares between the two of us.

“Nothing. He unexpectedly showed up at my appointment and then asked me if we could talk over lunch” after that I recount everything that happened. Including his apology.

When I am done, I am even more confused than I was before. Things were just not making sense no matter which angle I tried looking at it from.

“What if he is genuinely sorry?” Letty asks.

That is a question I kept asking myself since he apologized. I kept pushing it to the back of my mind because I was just not strong enough to deal with it right now.

“I don’t know” I sigh in defeat. “Forgiveness is something that has to be earned and so far he has done nothing to earn it. All he has managed to do is leave me with confusion and more unanswered questions” 3 Honestly, how can I move past everything? He has spent the last nine years drilling into me that he hates my fucking guts and now all of a sudden he’s sorry?

His quick three hundred and sixty degree turn just doesn’t seem genuine. There is no way someone can change that fast.

“What do you think Corrine?” Letty asks her since she had been too quiet.

“I think these are the actions of a man who doesn’t know he’s in love” At that I burst out laughing. “That’s a good one Corrine. Rowan doesn’t love me” I mean come on, he said as much on that day he came bulging into my house, avenging his lovely Emma.

“Think about it though” she insists.

“She may be onto something. I mean why would he all of a sudden start caring for you? It doesn’t make sense unless he already cared for you but never realized. And again why does he suddenly want to be around you now that you’re divorced? Corrine may be right. He may have been in love with you long before and it took losing you for those feelings to come to the surface” I didn’t want to listen to their nonsense. So instead of answering their questions, I change the Everything after that is perfect. I have a great time with both of them. Knowing very well that now Corrine was part of our inner circle.

Even though everything was great, I couldn’t help thinking of what they said.

that Rowan can’t possibly be in love with me. They had to be wrong because Rowan has only ever loved one woman and her name is Emma Sharp.”

 

Ex-Husbands Regret Chapter 70-A kindred Spirit Today was a chilled day. I didn’t have much to do. Noah was already at school, and I was here at home just relaxing.

After my mental breakdown, I decided to take some much needed break from work. My students weren’t happy about it, but they understood that I hadn’t been myself the last couple of weeks.

I planned to resume after I give birth. My focus now was my kids and the Hope Foundation.

I’m still trying to come to terms with all that happened these past few weeks. Including everyone’s change in behaviour.

The only one who seemed to be consistent with her hateful personality was Emma. The rest seem to have had an overnight change of heart.

Instead of focusing on those thoughts. I push them away and pick up my phone and dial mom’s number. She picks up on the first ring.

“Hey mom” I greet her. I wasn’t completely used to calling her that, but I was slowly getting there.

“Ava!” She screams through the phone, always excited to hear from me. “Theo, my love, our darling daughter is on the phone“.

I hear shuffling before a sort of echo fills the phone. I just know that she’s put me on loudspeaker.

“Hey dad” I greet him too.

Their love honestly fascinated me. They were together since they were thirteen and they’re still together years down the line. More than thirty–five years later.

If I was still chasing after love, then their kind of love is what I would have been looking for.

Instead, I’ve accepted that love is just not for me. I’m now set and prepared to spend the rest of my life alone.

“Hey darling, how are you doing?” “I’m doing good. Not much going on. I just wanted to check up on you guys“.

I still haven’t told them that I am pregnant.

Even though I’m starting to show, it’s easy for me to hide my bump with oversized t–shirts. I just 7/6 I know deep down it hurts them even though they try hiding it.

As for Ethan. What he’s doing to them is wrong, but I also understand where he is coming from.

He feels ashamed. He feels like he doesn’t deserve their love after what he did. He was hiding from them because he felt like he didn’t deserve their kindness.

I sent him the picture of my recent ultrasound. He wrote back and told me he was thankful. He couldn’t stop saying how he was dying to meet his baby. He was also okay with waiting till the day I deliver to know the gender of our baby.

“Ava?” Mom calls, pulling me back to the present.

“Sorry. I zoned out a bit” I murmur embarrassed. novelbin “It’s okay darling. I just wanted to know if you’ll be coming this weekend like we had talked about “Yes, though Noah won’t be joining us this time. It’s his weekend with his father so it’ll just be me and you guys“.

The Woods and the Sharp family used to have a monthly get together. I wasn’t always invited. (2)

When I did get an invitation which was rare, I was treated like I didn’t exist. Like I didn’t matter. I was completely ignored and was treated like a pariah.

The only one who used to talk to me during the gatherings was Noah. Most of the time, I ended up leaving early or crying in the bathroom.

There hasn’t been a get together in months. I guess now that the parents are back, they were back to having them.

“It’s a bummer that he won’t come but I am still happy that you’ll make it” dad says.

I was about to say something, but something takes my focus away. I hear a bark then a scratch. At first, I think I’m imagining things since there aren’t any dogs in the area. That is until I hear it again.

“Let me call you guys back, dad, I have to check on something” I tell him distractedly.

“Okay honey” I hang up and move to where the sound seemed to be coming from. Going to the backyard I find a 216 There was nothing left except a whole mess.

I stare in shock. My mouth hanging wide open.

“Do you know how long it took me to plant those, and you just ruined every single one” I fume.

He looks chastised. Laying on the ground, giving me puppy eyes, but I wasn’t going to buy it.

“I wanted organic food, that’s why I started the damn garden in the first place and let me tell you, it took a lot of time and effort.” He whines, but I am too far gone to listen to him.

“Oh no, no, no. You’re not going to get out of this by flashing your cute, adorable eyes.” Shaking my head I stare at him. Atleast I assume it’s a he. “How are you going to make up for the damage, huh?” The more I stare at him, the more my heart begins to melt. He is big, fluffy and completely adorable. He had thick black and white far and piercing grey eyes. For some weird reason they reminded me of Rowan and Noah’s grey eyes.

“Never in my life have I seen a person’s heart melt so fast when it comes to my dog. Most people usually find him annoying as hell” the warm voice makes me whip my head so fast, I almost break it in the process.

Holy smokes. The man was hot this close up. Black hair, green eyes, high cheekbones, a chiselled jaw line, lips that begged to be kissed and a body that enticed you to do dirty things. He was freaking hot and he knew it. 4 I know what you’re thinking. ‘Slow down Ava, you got fooled once by great looks, don’t make the same mistake again‘. 3 I wasn’t. I swore off love and men, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate a fine specimen when I see one. I’m not blind. 3 “Have we met before?” The words tumble out of my mouth before I can stop them. “It’s just that you look familiar“.

He stares for a while before answering. “Yes, we used to go to the same school, you were two years behind me”.

I try to remember him, but it still doesn’t ring much of a bell. Probably because I was so obsessed with Rowan that I didn’t see anyone else.

“Calvin Garcia” he supplies when I still continue staring at him confused The moment he mentions his name, it hits me.

“Oh my goodness, you’re Nerdy Cal” for some weird reason, I shriek this.

He groans at the name he used to go by when he was in school. He glares at me, but it doesn’t faze me at all.

“Wow, you had a big fucking glow up” I stare at him dumbfounded.

The Cal I remember was skinny, with too wide glasses that kept slipping down his nose. He had braces and his face used to be covered in big red pimples.

He was also a nerd, spent most of his time studying in the library while others his age were busy fucking in the janitor’s closet.

To simply put it, he wasn’t someone you would look at twice. (1)

He looked good now. Really good. I am glad that everything worked out for him. He changed into someone any woman would die to have. He was now in the same category as Rowan.

“Yeah, well, thanks” he says awkwardly.

“I also remember you used to have a massive crush on Emma, how did that crush turn out for you?” I teased. I wasn’t trying to be mean or anything. 2 When he wasn’t studying, just like all the other boys, he was busy following Emma around like a lost puppy.

The only problem was that Emma had eyes for Rowan only. When they started dating, they were the it couple.

Every boy except Gabe and Travis wanted to be in Rowan’s shows. Every girl wanted to be in Emma’s shoes.

“And you loved Rowan, how did that turn out for you?” He fired back in irritation.

“Touché” I murmur.

The pain was still there, but I managed to push it away.

I didn’t know Cal that way, but I thanked God on his behalf. Thanked him for looking after Cal, 4/6 +15 BONUS Emma’s love for Rowan would have destroyed him, just like Rowan’s love for Emma destroyed me.

“Dad, can I watch TV?” The sweet voice pulls me from my bitter memories, I turn to find a cute boy standing behind Cal. He had the same captivating green eyes as his father.

“Hi, my name is Ava” I just couldn’t help myself.

“Hello” he says shyly, and my heart immediately falls in love with him.

“What’s your name?” I ask him gently.

“Gunner” (2 “I have a son about your age, his name is Noah. How about you come over and meet him when he gets out of school? He’ll be excited to have a new friend.” I pause before adding. “If it’s okay with your dad, that is“. 4 I see him looking up at Cal. A silent conversation passes between them, before Cal sighs in defeat.

“Fine” he simply says.

I stare at him. My eyes focused on his. I was trying to decode him, and I wasn’t ashamed of that. There was something in his eyes that called out to me.

He shifts uncomfortably. “Well I’m sorry that Rex ruined your garden. I’ll get someone to come tomorrow and fix it“.

So the husky was called Rex? It sort of fitted him.

“Rex” Cal called him, and he immediately went to his owner.

After he gives me a nod and Gunner gives me a smile, they leave my backyard through a very wide opening that I have never noticed before.

I stare at their backs as they walk to their house. It’s only after they’ve left, and I’ve been standing there like an idiot that I realize what I saw in his eyes.

I saw pain. I saw hurt. I saw a wounded soul.

In his eyes, I saw the same kind of darkness that I have been trying to run away for years without much success.

516 In him, I saw a kindred spirit.

Even as all these revelations flooded my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder what had caused him such pain.