Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

3. Emma’s back

I sat on the cold hospital chair breathing in then out. Mother was still sobbing and she couldn’t be consoled. My heart broke for her. I understand it isn’t easy losing the man you love in such an unexpected way.

It was still a shock. I expected him to make a full recovery but now he was dead and I had no idea how to feel.

We never saw eye to eye and even though he hated me. I loved him. He was after all my father so how could I not love him?

“You okay?” Rowan asks sitting down beside me.

He arrived about an hour ago and this is the first time he talked to me since he came. I didn’t know what to do with the concern he was showing. After all he has never taken my feelings into consideration before.

“Yeah” I manage to say.

I haven’t shed a tear since we were given the news. Maybe it was belated shock or maybe I ran out of tears for him. Right now I was doing all I could to stay afloat since everyone else was breaking down.

I see feet in my peripheral vision and when I look up I find Travis staring at me. Just like always there isn’t a flicker of warmth in his eyes when he looks at me. I know what I did was a wrong but I haven’t I paid enough for that night?

“What?” I ask him.

she should be arriving soon. She still doesn’t know that dad

That’s the only indication I need to know that her name still affects him. The warmth

mumble because what

to her in years. I doubt she would want to be in the same vicinity

to be cordial and give her space” mother adds, wiping

you’re asking me

not. You ran my daughter off nine years ago with your betrayal. I won’t let you do that again especially now that your father is no longer with us and we need each

how they keep throwing the past in my face. Haven’t I already paid enough for the actions I took when I was young and foolish? Yet they keep

your daughter or am I also dead

I stand up and leave. I needed fresh air.

cold air. Tears sting my eyes but I refuse to let them fall. What am I even

back. After all, I never considered myself part of their family and they didn’t consider

daughter?” a nurse appears scaring the shit out of

my head after calming down my erratic

tells me, probably trying to

give me a

space to make my decision. Despite his neglect, he still provided for me so I owe him. With that, I make a decision. I

longer have to put up with me like they have been

I ask for the direction to the morgue. By the

Lying cold in the slab. He looks so at peace. Kind of like he does when he is asleep. You would think that he is just resting. Instead he was dead. His soul long

father” I tell

leaving the cold room. I shake off the heaviness that settles over my heart knowing he wasn’t the only one I would be saying goodbye to. They would never love me.