Chapter 301
Ex-Husband’s Regret
Chapter 0301
I stare at the father of my daughter. The man that Iâd trusted and wanted enough to sleep with. My eyes
take in his features as I try to get my brain to work.
He looked different. Donât get me wrong, he was still really good-looking, but he seemed different from
the man I had a glimpse of in my memory. He even has a beard now. It made him all the more good-
looking.
I know, Iâm in love with Rowan, so why am I checking out Ethan? Iâm not. Iâm just noting that heâs
handsome.
âHi,â I finally reply. It was the only word that I could master.
I feel so awkward. So unsure of what to do or what to say.
His eyes drop from mine to stare at our daughter. His unreadable expression changes. Softness and
love take over.
âCan I hold her?â he asks, his eyes still fixed on her.
Itâs clear that he loves Iris. That fact alone warms my heart. I was really afraid that he wouldnât want
anything to do with her. Afraid that he thought of her as a mistake. You know? Because he was only
using me while planning to kill me.
âSureâ
I stand up and gently lay Iris in his outstretched hand.
Ethan kisses her forehead. âHey, baby girl?â
He tries to hide the tears that fill his eyes, but itâs obvious there.
Reading him proves to be difficult. Just like with Rowan, he hides his emotions well. I donât know what I
expected when I decided to see him. But warmth and gentleness arenât it.
After being told what he did to me, I expected this cold, unfeeling and mean person. Iâm shocked that it
isnât what Iâve found. Letty did tell me thought, that when I was around him I was happy. I was free and
that he helped me a lot in becoming a different person.
She told me that, Ethan helped me get out of my shell. That he helped me experiment and embrace my
sexuality. I didnât believe her at first, but now I do. I donât feel anything for him, but there is just
something about him. Something that draws me in. Maybe âThank you so much for bringing her. I
havenât seen her since the day she was bornâ his voice is gruff and full of emotions. âWhy? Didnât Theo
and Nora bring her to see you?â âShe was in NICU, remember?â he says softly. âThough they did bring
me pictures of herâ Sometimes I forget that Iris is a premature baby. I always forget that during the time
I was in a coma, she was in intensive care unit. âIâll try to bring her as often as I canâ I assure him. We
are silent for a while, with him playing with Irisâs tiny hands. She holds his finger so tight, which makes
me wonder if on a deeper level she knew who he was. If she was aware of their connection. I know it
might sound absurd, but I feel like she knows Ethan his her father. âNot that Iâm not glad youâre here,
but why are you here? Iâm surprised you came. Mom told me that you lost your memoriesâ Dam n. That
is something I donât think Iâll ever get over. The fact that heâs my real parentsâ adopted son yet he and I
have a daughter together. âApart from bringing Iris to see you, I wanted to meet you. Get to know you
as a person since weâll be sharing custody of Irisâ âIâm surprised you wouldâ he murmurs, his eyes still
on Iris. I keep quiet for a moment. Ignoring his words.
âI know what others have told me about you and me. Now I want to hear it from. I want to know our
story from youâ
His snap up to look at me. I see the surprise playing in his eyes. I guess, he probably thought that I
would take others point of view and not his.
He takes a deep breath, before beginning.
He doesnât hold back at all. He tells me everything from how he found out that I was alive, to how he
devised the devious plan and to finally putting things to motions.
My heart aches at how he had manipulated me. I canât imagine the heartbreak I felt when I found out
that he had betrayed me. My lungs are clenched. I feel like I have a tight fist wrapped around my chest.
I donât remember what happened, but his actions have marked my soul. That is why his confession
hurts
I fall back against the chair and just watch him. By the time he was done, Iris was already asleep.
Snuggled against her fatherâs chest.
I never got t truly apologize, but I am truly sorry, Ava. I have no excuse for what I did to you, only my
absurd reasoning that the company should be mine and not yours. Youâll never know how deeply
repentant I amâ his voice was more of a painful whisper.
The truth of his words are written in his eyes. I donât know how I know this, but deep inside I know that
he means every single word he said. What he did is completely messed up, but will I honestly resent
him, especially when he seem to be sorry?
âI donât know what to say
And itâs true. I am speechless and confused.
Iâm not saying what I did was right, but everything changed once I realized I had fallen in love with you.
I went into it thinking I have the whole narrative, but you changed things. I never saw you coming, Ava,
I never thought that you would flip my world aroundâ
F uck. What the hell was I supposed to say when a man you have no memory of confesses to being in
love with you?
Luckily, I donât have to say anything because one of the guards interrupts us.
âTime is upâ
Silently, I watch as he kisses the top of Irisâs head before giving her to me.
1 may not remember what happened, but I hope we can put the past behind and move forward for the
sake of Iris. Look like a good man, despite your sins and you deserve to know your daughter, so,
friends?â
I ask him hopefully.
At first he looks shocked at first, but then a smile graces his lips.
âFriendsâ
It was a lot to d******d all that happened and my current feelings, but I know this is a step towards the
right direction. Iâll try to come as often as I can so you can see Irisâ
I'll appreciate that
He stands up and the guard cuffs him. They were about to leave when Ethan turns around and faces
me.
Be careful who you trust, Ava. Not everything is as it seems and Rowan isnât being as honest as he
portrays himself to beâ he warns. Take care, my loveâ
Before I can even reply or ask him, they both leave. I stand up with my daughter and head towards the
exit. All the while his warning about Rowan still ringing in my head.