Ex-Husband’s Regret by Evelyn M.M

all those things don’t you think? We’re still in the trial base”

I was going to have dinner with Ethan at his apartment. He had invited me over after we

shared

our first kiss, promising to cook me the best meal I’ve ever tasted.

She sighs as if she’s dealing with a stubborn child. “I just want you to be sure you’re

dating him

for the right reasons. Using one guy to get over another never works. It just makes shit

complicated.”

“I hear you” I tell her dismissively. “Now, I have to hang up since I’m about to leave”

“Fine. We’re still on for Wednesday, right?”

“Definitely”

After saying goodbye, I hang up. I check the time and it was one in the afternoon. I was

still

irritated with this meeting. I mean, who holds a parent/teacher meeting on Saturday. As if

that

wasn’t bad enough, they schedule it for afternoon?

After taking what I need, I lock up and leave. I get into my car and drive off.

As I drove, I couldn’t help but think about what Letty said. She was right, I had no

experience with

the dating scene. I didn’t know what Ethan wanted or expected. Did he want a relationship

or just

a fuck buddy?

What did I want? Was I using him or did I genuinely want him? I didn’t want to confuse

things or myself for that matter. I was determined to get over Rowan, but was I going

about it in right way?

I didn’t want to hurt Ethan, especially if he is genuinely interested in having a relationship

with. me, but parts of me fear that I’ve grown an unhealthy attachment to him.

He makes me forget about Rowan and my love for him. I’m afraid that’s the main reason

I’m drawn

to him.

+15 BONUS

I drive to the parking lot, turn the ignition off and get out. I survey the expensive cars

lining the

lot. I begin walking and notice some of the parents sneering at me. Of course my car

wasn’t

expensive and I wasn’t dressed head to toe in Gucci.

This is one of the things I hated about this world. These people placed social status and

the size of

your bank account above everything else. They look down on people who they view as

poor and

they don’t even bother hiding their disdain for them.

I’ve grown up around wealth but I swore from a young age never to be like them. Never to

place

money above the value of another person.

I take a seat that was available and wait. I watch as the other parents and their children

walk in

and out of the school.

I check my watch. It was already three and Rowan wasn’t here yet.

Taking out my phone, I call him. It goes straight to voice mail. With each second that

passes, I feel

my anger rise. Two hours later, I’ve had enough so I call Gabe.

“Hello?” he answers gruffly.

“Hi, Gabriel, it’s me, Ava…” he cuts me off before I can finish.

“I know it’s you, Ava, I have your number”

I’m quiet for a while. Surprised that he had my number given he used to blame me for

ruining his brother’s life and destroying his chance at happiness with Emma.

“Uh, okay” I mutter unintelligently before recovering. “Listen, I’m looking for Rowan. Is he

with you? We were supposed to meet with Noah’s teacher. He is not here yet and his

phone is off. I’ve been here for three hours. Mrs. Smith is done with the other parents and

she’s ready to leave”

When she told me she was almost done, I begged her to give me a few more minutes to

try and reach Rowan

“He’s not with me. He took Emma somewhere” he tells me almost apologetically, but I

don’t need his sympathy.

“Okay, thanks.” I don’t give him a chance to say anything before hanging up.

I was in trance. Wondering what had gotten into Rowan that he forgot something so

important.

When Mrs Smith calls me again, I go in. It seemed like Rowan wasn’t going to show up

anyway.

+15 BONUS

Since Noah wasn’t physically here like the other kids, we settle on a video call with him.

He’s

excited at first, but then his face falls when he realizes that Rowan wasn’t present.

The entire time Mrs. Smith talks about Noah’s excellent and stellar performance in school,

my anger rises up. Noah was sad and his face showed. I hated seeing him like this.

By the time we’re done, I was beyond furious.

I force a smile and thank Noah’s teacher before leaving the classroom.

“Why didn’t he come mommy? He promised me he would. I wanted him to hear what a

good student I was. That I was top of my class” he says sadly, tears filling his eyes.

I wanted to reach out and hold him but he was thousands of miles away.

“I’m so sorry, baby….May be he got caught up with work”

“But he promised me!” he shouts through the screen. “He said he will never break his

promises and he did” he was full crying now and it tore me down to pieces.

Mother and Joyce, Rowan’s mom came to comfort him. I wanted to be there for him and it

killed me that I couldn’t.

“He’ll make it up to you, my love….remember he loves you and he has never missed any

of your functions” I try to soothe him.

He doesn’t answer. Just continues staring into nothing with silent tears running down his

face. He looks so lost. When he doesn’t move or say anything, Joyce tells me that they’ll

look after him before ending the call.

I stomp out of the school and head towards the parking lot. Most cars were already gone.

I was just about to get into my own when I see Rowan’s black Mercedes drives in. He

parks, gets out and rushes to me.

“I’m so fucking sorry I’m late…is the meeting over?” he was dressed casually, something

that is very rare for him.

“Obviously, given it’s almost six thirty four fucking hours after you were supposed to be

here” 1

shout

isted on murder

“I know you’re angry, but…”

“Angry doesn’t begin to cover what I fucking feel right now Rowan”

“Ava…”

+15 BONUS

“No! Do you know I had to call Gabe? Imagine my shock when I learned you were out with

Emma. I

don’t even fucking care that you were with her.

You promised you will be here. I was waiting like a damn fool for you when you were out

with her during a meeting our son was looking forward to!” I ran my hands through my

hair.

A teacher walks past us. She gives us a small wave before climbing into her car. I tried

mastering

a smile but I just couldn’t.

“You’re right and I’m sorry” he says remorsefully.

“What happened Rowan? You never ever forgot something that concerned Noah. Now

Emma is

back and she takes priority? So much so you forget Noah? Is this how it’s going to be now

that she’s back?” I ask him, calming down but not entirely.

“It’s not going to happen again” he fists his hand in determination.

“But that’s the thing it’s already happened, what’s stopping it from happening again?”

He doesn’t answer. Just stares at me with a scowl on his face and fire burning behind his

eyes.

“I won’t let you hurt my son Rowan, whether internationally or unintentionally. Noah’s

comes first

and if you can’t put him first then give me full custody. I had to watch his heart break

when he

realized you weren’t coming. Let this be the first and last time you hurt him, because if

you do I

will fight you.

Noah is my son, my world. Hurt him again and I will forget you’re his father. Doesn’t

matter if you own this city, I will rain so much hell on you, you’ll be left wishing you never

met me. Don’t fucking mess with me” I let my anger and determination seep into my

voice.

He looks taken aback by my outburst and threat. He stares at me like he didnt know who I

was. I

ignore that look