Ex-Husband's Regret (Ava and Rowan) novel Chapter 333

Chapter 0333

I stay at my parents‘ house a little longer. Iris is eating up the attention that is being given to her by her grandparents. Although she is small, she loves attention, especially if the attention

comes in the form of belly kisses.

Looking at her, I wish that my life was that simple. Was I the only one who’s ever desired the life of a child? They didn’t have a worry in the world except food and dirty diapers. Their

innocence is like a balm to a wounded and troubled soul.

Then they grow up, life happens, and they become jaded. If I could save both my children from this thing called love, I would, but I know ultimately I can’t because they have their own destiny to follow, whether it will be full of happiness, heartache, or a mix of both.

I continue watching as both sets of grandparents play with my daughter on the grass. Nora was holding a laughing Iris. You want to know what she was laughing at? Well, apparently, she found it really hilarious seeing Theo roll on the grass.

I get her too. If I was in a better mood, I would also find it funny. Who would have thought that one of the most powerful couples in the city would be like this with their grandchild?

I don’t remember the parents of Kate and James, but what I remember is them being really cold and stoic, but maybe it was just towards me. As for Mother and Father, even though they loved Noah, I never once saw them behave like Nora and Theo. Their warmness warmed my

heart.

I take a sip of my drink, trying so hard to fight against the decision I was sure I had to make. Part of me thought I needed time, but the other knew that Rowan and I couldn’t continue the way we were. It took that memory to destroy everything I thought we were building since I woke up.

I felt the sincerity in his words, but I was having a hard time letting go. This time around, what threatened our relationship wasn’t his lack of concern and love for me. This time, it was the echoes and memories of his past mistakes.

“Is something still bothering you?” Nora’s voice startles me, mainly because I’m so lost in my thoughts that I don’t even see her come towards me.

“I forgot to tell you the reason why I asked for a meeting,” I answered, trying to dodge the question.

Of course, a lot of things still bothered me, but I wasn’t going to burden her with that. This fell wholly on me. I was the one who was struggling. The one that this whole thing fell on. I didn’t want to dampen others spirits with my troubles.

“That’s not important,” she tells me softly. “Not when you’re clearly still struggling with

+15 BONUS

I just stared at her. Maybe what I need is fresh air. I felt a bit suffocated. A bit unhinged. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin.

“I’ll be okay. I’m just struggling with what I need to do and what decisions I need to make.”

She nods her head in understanding before pulling me into her arms. Her warmth and care make me want to cry. I felt so overwhelmed, so burdened by everything. I felt lost, like I was just drifting. Fighting the tears back, I pull away from her.

“Is it okay if I leave Iris with you for a couple of hours?” I ask, trying to control the tremble in my voice. “I want to go pick a gift for Noah.”

Her eyes sear into mine. I know she knows I’m using this as an excuse, but she also

understands that I need to breathe and be alone.

“Sure, my love. No problem,” she smiles at me. “Take as much time as you need.”

After I said my goodbyes, I left. I tell Boris to drive me to the mall.

I already had an idea of what I wanted to buy Noah, and maybe a little shopping will give me an escape from the constant turmoil of my thoughts.

We get to the mall, and without wasting time, I start going from shop to shop. Noah wasn’t subtle, and he dropped obvious hints about what he wanted. All of them combined made a whole list. He wasn’t spoilt, but he also knew that neither of his parents were lacking in the financial department, so he was comfortable asking for whatever he wanted.

“Ava!”

I had just finished buying the last item on the list when I heard her voice. Turning around, I found Letty and Corrine rushing towards me. They both embraced me in a bear hug before stepping away.

“What are you doing here? If we had known we would all be here, we would have organized lunch,” Letty all but screams, her happiness at seeing me clearly evident.

“I decided to come last minute to shop for Noah’s birthday gifts,” I answer, giving both of

them a smile.

“Where is Iris? Is she with Rowan? I still remember how he left work to babysit her simply because you wanted to go shopping,” Corrine says in a dreamy voice.

Gosh, why was this so hard? She looked so hopeful and so happy, and in her own world, dreaming about how happy Rowan and I were. I don’t say anything. I won’t say anything until I’ve made a decision.

“Do you want to get lunch?” Letty asks. She probably assumed that Corrine is right and Iris is

with Rowan.

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“Sure”

We walk to a nearby restaurant, with Boris following behind us. We get a table, and immediately a waiter comes to take our orders.

Immediately, Corrine and Letty start chatting. Today I wasn’t in the mood, but I needed a distraction. Something to take my mind off things with Rowan.

“So, has Reaper been by to see you again?” Letty asks, her excitement evident.

Corrine bites her lips, telling us all we need to know.

“Yes. In fact, he did more than just visit,” she beamed, her eyes sparkling with admiration. He rocked my world the entire night.”

she’s ever heard,

For the first time since everything went sour with Rowan, I was laughing and having fun watching the bickering between Letty and Corrine. They managed to do something no one else has been able to do these past few days. They managed to get my mind off my problems.

“So you’ll continue seeing him?” Lettie asks.

“If you mean, will I continue fucking him? Then yes. The sex is good, and there’s no strings attached, just the way I like it.”

I don’t say anything, but for some reason, I stare at Letty to find her looking at me. A smile creeps on her face because we have the same thought. Something told me that one of them or both of them were going to fall.

“By the way, did you decide on what you’ll do?” Corrine turned to me.

I’d told them how I was struggling to stay at home doing nothing. Re–learning things is working, but the progress is slow. At this point, I think it’ll be years before I can go back to teaching.

“No. I still haven’t figured things out.”

“What about your foundation?” Letty asks, sipping her lemonade.

“What foundation?”

They tell me everything, taking turns to explain things to me. By the time I’m done, I’m shocked at all the progress I’ve made. I remember feeling sorry for a boy in my class and wishing I could help him. Turns out I birthed an idea and saw it through.

“Mary held back because the doctor had warned about stressing you and wearing you down. She’s managed to keep the foundation running, but I’m sure she’ll be happy to have her boss back. That woman literally worships the ground you walk on,” Letty gushed, making me feel shy for some reason.

I didn’t know this, Mary, but to hear that she adored me was a bit disconcerting. That quickly faded away when I realized that I could actually work. That I didn’t have to stay home all day long, and since the foundation houses had other kids, I could always bring Iris with me.

“I’m sure you could find something to do there that doesn’t put a strain on you,” Corrine adds. with a warm smile.

I return the smile. “You’re right. If it’s a big foundation, as you put it, then I’m sure I’ll find something to do.”

+15 BONUS

We continue chatting until our orders arrive, and then we eat. Once we are done, we chat a bit more before we decide to call it a day.

I was just getting out of the restaurant, and I’d said goodbye to both Corrine and Letty when I felt a chill run down my spine.

I look around, but I don’t see anything or anyone out of the ordinary. Wrapping my hand around myself, I continue walking towards the car.

Boris helps me, but it doesn’t chase away the fear that all of a sudden overcomes me. Boris didn’t seem to notice anything and just drove off, but I felt it, the chilling stare of someone who wanted to harm me.