Chapter 7
Ex-Husband’s Regret
Dead man
Ava
I wake up with a stiff back and an aching arm. I am in bed with Noah since he refused to leave me
after we finished watching TV. I smile when I remembered him saying that he was taking his job
seriously and that he would take care of me throughout the night.
With a bit of difficulty. I manage to move him without waking him up. It was around eight and I needed
to prepare breakfast before he woke up.
After doing my morning routine, I went downstairs I stood outside the kitchen for a while wondering how
I was going to manage making breakfast with one arm.
As I moved to get the ingredients needed for pancakes, memories of yesterday flooded my mind.
Everything that happened seemed so surreal that part of me wonder if it had happened. If it wasnât for
the fact that my shoulder was bandaged and my arm was in sling, I would have thought it was all a bad
dream..
When I woke up in the hospital after I fainted I panicked. It took both the doctor and nurse to calm.
me down and reassure me that everything was okay. She told me that the bullet was lodged in my
shoulder but it hadnât done any serious damage. I was lucky because according to them if it had hit
lower then it would have struck my heart.
They removed the bullet, cleaned the wound, stitched me up and then put my arm in the sling I was
given antibiotics and pain meds. They instructed me to keep my arm elevated till my next appointment.
As I cooked the pancakes, I thought about the man that tried to save me. I made a ment*l note to find
out who he is so I could thank him. He was the only one that looked out for me when my
family couldnât care less if I was safe or not.
My thoughts are interrupted when a knock sounds on my door, making me wonder who it was.
I highly doubted there was anyone I wanted to see right now. The events of yesterday soured my
feelings towards the people I once considered family.
I walk to the door and gently open it. Iâm surprised to find the man from yesterday standing on my
doorstep. The first thing I notice is his blue eyes. They were the bluest eyes Iâve ever seen.
I hadnât noticed this yesterday. Probably because I was in shock and in pain, but the man was
really good looking. He was at least six feet tall, muscular but not in a body builder type of way, a
strong jaw and a flawless complexion. His dark brown hair was tousled in a S**y way and his
confidence demanded attention.
âHeyâ I croaked out sounding like a smoker.
+15 BONUS
He smiled at me and I was struck by how beautiful it was. âHey, can I come in?â
âYeah, sureâ I said stepping out of the way.
He gets in and I close the door behind him. I watch him as he studies my house.
âNice homeâ he says in a deep voice.
âThank youâ I mumbled. âI made some pancakes, would you like some?â
He nods his head and I lead him to the kitchen. Before I can go back to making breakfast, he stops me,
making me turn to face him.
âWe havenât been formally introduced, Iâm Ethanâ he gently grabs my hand, turns it around and
kisses it.
For some reason I feel flushed. I wasnât used to this kind of attention and charm from men. I was
the one that was always looked over. The boring and unattractive sister.
âI-Iâm Avaâ I stammered.
âI already know that, beautifulâ he says giving me a wink while taking a seat at the kitchen island
I give an awkward laugh because I didnât know how to behave. He oozed masculine energy and it was
directed at me. Iâve never been in such as spot before. It was so disconcerting
âSo Ethan, with no last nameâ¦what were you doing at my fatherâs burial?â I asked while placing a cup
of coffee before serving him a plate of pancakes.
I take my own plate and cup and sit next to him. He chuckles as he looks at me.
âA threat had been reported and given your father was dead because of that threat, the chief wanted us
on the look at incase the same people tried anything with the mourning familyâ he says right before he
takes a bite.
âSo youâre an officer? Iâve never seen you before and I know almost everyone.â
âYes Iâm an officerâ¦.I just moved here a couple of months back. Iâve been swamped with work so I
havenât had much time to mingleâ he replies after swallowing.
I smile at him. âWell you can consider me one of your friendsâ¦I was wondering how to find you
just this morning actually.â
âWhat for?â
âTo thank you for saving my life. I donât remember everything but I remember you putting
pressure on the wound and shouting for an ambulanceâ
I also remember the way that he rushed towards me. I actually believe that if he hadnât pushed
+15 BONUS
âI was just doing my job, besides itâs not every day you get to have a beautiful woman in your arms
even though she faints at the sight of her own bloodâ he teases giving me another dashing smile.
Blood rushes to my cheeks. I laugh, trying to hide my embarrassment. By the way he behaves I just
know heâs a charmer. Itâs obvious with his smiles and winks. Heâs also a breath of fresh air. Something I
havenât had in my life in quite a while.
âAnd what brought you to my doorstep and how did you know where I live?â
âIâm an officer remember? It was easy to find you As to why Iâm here, I wanted to make sure you were
okay. I wasnât able to stay with you yesterday because I was called in to give a report. I went back to
the hospital and was told you had been discharged. I didnât think it would be appropriate coming to your
house at nightâ
Iâm struck to be honest. This stranger had shown more care and compassion to me than anyone else
around me has ever shown me my entire life. With the exception of Noah of course. I didnât know what
to do with that because I wasnât used to it.
âThank youâ I say slowly emotions clogging my throat.
He gazes at me strangely but I ignore the look and change the subject.
From there we talk and eat. It was weird that I was completely comfortable around him, though he was
a stranger. I couldnât remember being this relaxed around anyone but Noah.
Around forty minutes later he leaves. We exchange numbers but Iâm doubtful heâll ever call or text
even though I had a wonderful time. I was just not the type of woman men text back or look for their
company a second time.
I was just cleaning our plates when there was another knock. Noah had yet to wake up and I was
in no rush to wake him.
âDid you forget something?â I asked opening the door.
My emotions shut down when I realize that it was Rowan and not Ethan. Seeing his face just brought a
rush of pain. Remembering how he abandoned me to save his precious Emma brought a
bitter taste to my mouth.
There was no denying that I meant nothing to him. Yesterday just showed me the extent of his
disregard and hate towards me. I push the hurt and pain away. Locking them together with the love I
had for him in the deepest and darkest parts of my soul.
Rowan was dead to me and I didnât have to love a dead man.