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.

called Emma when dad got shot so she should be arriving

to know that her name still affects him. The warmth he provided just

because what else

I doubt she would want to be in the same vicinity as me given how much she

be cordial and give her space” mother adds,

what you’re

care what’s possible or 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

how they keep throwing the past in my face. Haven’t I already paid enough for the actions I took when I

your daughter or am I also dead to

don’t give her the chance to answer. I stand up and leave. I needed fresh air. I

I’m outside I breathe in the cold air. Tears sting my eyes but I refuse to let them fall. What am I even doing here? Why did she bother calling

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

nurse appears scaring the shit out of

after calming down my erratic

the body” she softly tells me, probably trying to be

give

after that giving me the space to make my decision. Despite his neglect, he still provided for me so I owe him. With that, I make a decision. I would give him a proper burial, then after that I would wash my hands from

perfect little family. They would no longer have to put up with me like

the time I get there, the rest had

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

I

leaving the cold room. I shake off the heaviness that settles over my heart knowing he wasn’t