Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

wondering if anyone wanted to adopt her” 1

We all look at each other. Was it a coincidence? Was the preacher Winnie’s mother was

talking

about, my grandfather? It was too much to be just a coincidence.

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

baby.

We expected her back a week after, but she ended up taking two weeks, but finally she

got the

baby and came back. No one knew who the baby’s mother was and had no identification

on her.

The preacher said it was probably a scared teen that gave birth and left the baby there”

“Since there wasn’t an issue, the social worker allowed Winnie to come back with the child

as she

prepared the paper works for adoption. The baby was a blessing to Winnie, she named her

Ava.

That baby she adopted was you” mother says looking at me before continuing “I had not

seen her

that happy since her husband died. It’s like Ava breathed life back into her and Winnie

adored her.

Loved her like she was her own”

She pauses and I take a moment to digest what she just told us. Winnie seems like a great

woman.

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“If she loved me like you say, why didn’t she raise me? How did I end up as part of the

Sharp

family?”

“About a year after she got you, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. The

doctors told

her it was too late for her and that she only had a few months to live. Before she died, she

asked us

to take you in. To adopt you. We didn’t want to, we already had two children and we didn’t

want

anymore”

Something must have happened because I ended up with them.

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

Everyone was quiet as she answered. “When Travis was two years he managed to get out

of the

house. By the time I realized it, he was about to cross the road. There was an incoming car

and I

knew I couldn’t get to him in time, I screamed in fear, My fear must have alerted Winnie. I

don’t

know how she did it, or where she was or how she moved. She saved Travis that day, but

she

ended up in a coma for two months. They amputated her right hand because it was too

damaged.

She also had a limp since then because of the permanent njury to her hip”

She takes in a deep breath before letting it out. “We accepted her request because we felt

we owed

her. As much as we tried to compensate her it would never have been enough for saving

Travis

and what she went through. So when she died, we adopted Ava”

I look down, muttering. “I wish you hadn’t. You should have tossed me in an orphanage. It

would

have been kinder than the life I lived with you”

I don’t remember ever having a good memory with them. They were all bad, full of pain

and

misery.

“Gosh, you’re such an ungrateful woman. Do you know how many people would kill to

have the

life you led?” Emma ask, sneering me in my direction.

“Shut your fucking mouth Emma before I shut it up for you permanently.” I hiss, my anger

rising.”

I’ve heard enough of you stupid comments. I slept with your damn boyfriend, get the fuck

over it

and grow the fuck up. It disgusting watching a thirty year old woman throwing a hissy

fight like a

fucking two year old. Noah behaves more mature than you do❞

My blow up surprises everyone. Emma looks down, her cheeks a shade of red.

I feel hands hold me, and realize that it’s Nora. I look up at her and she’s grinning. I’d

completely

forgotten that they were sitting right next to me.

”

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“I suggest you heed the warning of my daughter, girl” Nora says. “It’s been years and

you’ve all surely made her pay for that damn mistake. I suggest you move on and leave

the past where it is. You talk to my daughter like that ever again and you will not like what

I do to you”

I’m shocked that she would stand up for me. Nobody ever has well except for Letty. It feels

weird but good at the same time.

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

down my

spine.

Mother clears her voice, pulling our attention back to her. “I know how we treated you

over the years wasn’t fair and I’m so sorry. More than you’ll ever know”

“Please stop. Like I told your son, it’s a little too late for your apologies now. I really don’t

want to hear it and neither do I want anything to do with any of you” I simply say.

Too much had already been said and done. It was better this way. Maybe one day I will be

able to

forgive them, but for now, the pain was just too much. 2

“Now that it’s all said and done, we’re done here” Theo speaks up. “I don’t care what you

felt she

did, but we all must agree that your contempt for my daughter started way before she

made a

mistake of sleeping with Rowan. Mark my words, you will pay for every tear she shed and

for

every year she spent suffering in your hands.” 2

The air is filled with something dangerous. It chokes the air and suffocates my lungs.

Everyone

knows Theo Howell isn’t someone you cross. Ever.

“Please Mr. Howell” mother pleads.

“How many times did my daughter beg? You didn’t care did you? Why should we show you

mercy

when you never showed our daughter any?” Nora hisses at mother. Pure hatred reflecting

in her

eyes.

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

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

They did what they came to do and their time was up. They stare at me for a while before

standing

up and leaving. Rowan follows and then Ethan is up next.

“You never have to worry about anything ever again. Your enemies are our enemies and

we will

fight those who fight you. Everyone who has hurt you will pay. No one will ever cause you

pain

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“We love you, my beautiful angel. Always know that” Nora adds before doing the same.

They leave soon after. It felt great to have someone backing me up. Question is, did I

really want

revenge against those that hurt me? And even if I did, would they hurt Ethan for hurting

me? Were

Nora and Theo willing to turn against their son for me?

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