Chapter 335
Ex-Husband’s Regret
Chapter 0335
Rowan
Fuck, I hate it! I hate this tension and unease between Ava and me. I hate that every single time we
cross paths, she stares at me like she doesnât know what to do with me.
Itâs been a couple of days since that morning. I thought that things would be okay between us once I
explained everything, but I was damn wrong. In fact, itâs like, after I told her everything, things just went
downhill from there.
I moved back home, and things havenât been the same. Donât get me wrong, she hasnât turned into a
raging bitch or anything like that, but at this point, I would prefer that to the cold politeness she shows
me.
My fear of losing her gets stronger and stronger each and every day. I canât help but wonder what will
happen once she gets her memory back and finds out that we are divorced. That I had deceived her.
The fear has a grip on my fucking heart. I donât want to lose her, and Iâm afraid thatâs what will happen
when the truth comes out.
Unable to sit still, I stand up and start pacing. My office here at home has been the place where Iâve
spent most of my time. I hardly sleep. The thought of losing her keeps me awake most nights.
Part of me wants to just tell her the truth. You know, rip it off like a band aid and just face the
consequences headâon. The other part, though, is unwilling to. The other part still holds on to hope
that Ava and I will be okay.
My door opens and Gabe walks in. For a split second, I see how busy and chaotic it is outside my
office before the door closes.
âAva went all out this time, didnât she?â He asks with a small smile while sitting down.
Today was Noahâs birthday, and the organizers were doing the final touches. It was a superhero theme
party because that was what Noah wanted, and what he wanted, he got. All his friends from school
were invited, and so was his entire class. He even invited his favorite teacher.
Instead of saying anything, I just nod before looking outside my window. The planners were busy
setting up what needed to be set up. Ava was busy directing them, with Iris comfortably plastered to
her front.
My eyes remain on her. Itâs like I canât; sheâs hypnotized me and I canât get my eyes off even if I tried.
As if sensing my gaze, she turns, and our eyes collide. We stare at each other for a moment, my heart
pleading with her, but soon she pulls away and looks in another direction.
âSo how have things been?â Gabe asks after a while.
âTerribleâ
He doesnât say anything for a while, and neither do I. Instead, I continued to stare outside. L continue
staring at her, willing her to turn around and look at me. When she doesnât, I exhale a tired sigh and
walk back to my chair.
âNothing changed after you explained things to her?â he inquires.
I wasnât really in the fucking mood to talk, but I knew I needed to get myself together. Today is Noahâs
birthday; I am not going to be a downer and spoil the day for him.
âNone.â I breathe out. âShe doesnât ignore me like she did before, but she isnât back to her normal self.
Sheâs a bit distant.â
I guess I was now getting a taste of my own medicine, and I can tell you that it sucked balls. If I could, I
would spit it out, but I canât. This is karma⦠And besides, this is what I deserved for treating Ava like
shit all these years.
âYouâve got to understand her and give her some fucking time. Remembering what you told her isnât
easy; I mean, hell, if Iâd been in her shoes, I would be torn. No matter your explanation, no matter
whether you meant it or not, none of that matters. Hearing those words from the man you love is
shattering.â
I do get what heâs saying. I understand. I would also be shattered if the roles had been reversed. I have
no excuse. Iâm a total asshole, and now my actions are back to bite my ass.
Each day feels like my heart is being torn. I know Iâm the only one to blame for my pain, but I canât help
but wish and pray that she will forgive me. That she would give us a chance even if I didnât give it to her
back then. (2)
âHas she told you anything? What sheâs thinking? Or how sheâs feeling?â he asks, and I shake my
head.
âShe hasnât, but deep down, I feel like itâs because sheâs trying to make a decision on whether to stay
with me or not,â I answer honestly, leaning tiredly against the back of my chair.
âSeriously? Has she told you that?â
âNo⦠Itâs more of a gut feeling.â
And that scares me more than anything. Iâve seen it in her eyes occasionally when she looks at me.
Thereâs uncertainty in them about whether to forgive me or leave me. It fucking scares me because I
know how easily I could lose her.
âSo now we just wait?â
I nod my head, already feeling defeated. âYes. Thatâs the only thing to do right now.â
We are silent again after that. That is, until the door opens, revealing Ava.
âSorry, I didnât know Gabe was in here,â she apologizes. âHi Gabeâ
âHello Avaâ
Iris, seeing me, tries to twist in her momâs hand to get to me. I stand up and go to them. I pick her up
and she comes willingly to me.
âIs there a problem?â I ask her, watching as her eyes dart around the office.
She bites her lips, something she does when sheâs anxious and nervous.
âI got a call from Kate,â she says. âShe wanted to know if she could come to the party and was
requesting if she could bring Emma because sheâs been depressed as of late.â
Her eyes zone in on me. This is a decision she could have made on her own, but I know what sheâs
doing. She wants to see my reactions. She wants to see if Iâm going to tell her to invite them, and then
sheâs going to use that as proof that Iâm still in love with Emma, giving her the excuse she needs to
leave me.
I wasnât in love with Emma, but I know it will take time for her to believe and accept that, given that Iâve
rubbed my former love for Emma to her face countless times.
Giving her a small smile, I answer. âI donât really care if she comes or not, so the decision is up to you.
Do whatâs comfortable with you.â
She nods her head with a small smile on her lips. She is happy with my answer, but I feel like she isnât
yet satisfied.
Deep down, I know that sheâll invite Emma just to gauge more of my reactions, and Iâm okay with that
because I have nothing to hide or worry about, but something tells me that with Emma here, something
big will go down.