Ex-Husband's Regret

C27

**Dead to Me, Ava.**

I was feeling good today. Not only had my dinner date with Ethan gone smoothly, but I was heading back to work tomorrow, and the day after that was my birthday!

Just like I thought on Saturday, Ethan helped me forget everything. A few minutes after arriving at his place, I was already laughing my heart out.

He cooked, and wow, he didn’t disappoint. The food was absolutely delicious. There’s just something about a guy who can cook and make you laugh. It turned into a fun night, especially when I got home and managed to talk to Noah.

He had calmed down a bit. We chatted about random stuff before he fell asleep still on the phone. That was the highlight of my day.

I was baking when someone knocked on my door. I was craving comfort food, so I decided on cookies and chocolate cake.

Wiping my hands on the kitchen towel, I went to open the door. Part of me was shocked when I came face to face with Emma. The other part wasn’t.

“What do you want, Emma?” I asked, feeling irritated.

Her showing up didn’t spell good news. The last time she was here, I almost got killed a few hours after our fight.

Her face was stony as she replied, “We need to talk.”

Every fiber of my being rebelled against that idea. Against my better judgment, I let her in and led her to my living room.

“Say what you came to say and then leave,” I said, taking a seat and watching her carefully as she did the same.

She was quiet, surveying my home. When she finished, she sneered, and I rolled my eyes. Of course, this place didn’t meet her standards. It wasn’t flashy or expensive; it was simple and cozy.

“Are you going to stare at my home all day or are you going to talk?” I leaned back in my chair, studying her.

I doubted Emma knew the difference between a home and a house. Mine had warmth, while she preferred a cold, clinical mansion.

“I’m here to tell you to stay away from Noah,” she said, crossing her legs.

I sighed. “Seriously? You came all the way to my house for this nonsense again?”

I was getting tired of repeating myself. How could I make her understand that I wasn’t interested in Rowan at all? The guy had caused me so much heartache—why would I want him back?

“It’s not nonsense. He wants to move on with me, but you keep dragging him back to you. Can’t you just let him go? He doesn’t love you, for heaven’s sake!”

The last part shouldn’t have hurt, but it did. I didn’t want to be reminded that I fell in love with a man who hated me. That even after all these years, his heart was still closed off to me.

“And how have I dragged him back, hmm?”

“The attack two weeks ago. He rushed here in the middle of our movie night just because he heard you were hurt.”

I shook my head at her. She was supposed to be a top lawyer, yet she was as clueless as an ostrich.

“How’s that my fault, Emma? He’s your man, so why don’t you put a leash on him?” I snapped.

Why were we even having this conversation? Didn’t she realize she won? That she got the guy? I wanted nothing more than to move on with my life.

I found a great man in Ethan, and I was hoping our relationship would go somewhere. I didn’t want Emma and Rowan’s drama messing up what we were building.

“I still think you’re just trying to get attention and sympathy from him,” she mocked, sneering at me as if she’d said something brilliant.

“Get out!” I stood up and pointed to the door.

I was done with her nonsense. I wouldn’t let her ruin the happiness I was feeling today.

She stood up too. “What? You don’t like that I’ve figured out your plan? It’s only a matter of time before everyone realizes that all these attacks are fake.”

“Are you done showing me how stupid you are?” I shot back. “You think I’m faking these attacks, but do you want to know what I think? I think you’re behind them. I have no enemies except for you, and who would benefit if I were to tragically die? It’s you. With me out of the way, you have Rowan all to yourself, and you won’t have to deal with seeing me around because full custody will go to Rowan.”

She stared at me, shocked—either that I figured it out or that I’d accused her so boldly. I’d been thinking about it a lot, and it made sense.

Emma could want me dead for two reasons: revenge and to completely cut me out of Rowan’s life because for some stupid reason, she felt threatened by me.

“How dare you!” she screamed.

“No, how dare you come to my home spouting bullshit? We’re not kids anymore, Emma, so grow up and act like the adult you are… Now leave; I’m done with your nonsense.”

She was furious, and it showed all over her face. I was sure if looks could kill, I’d be a ghost by now. But it didn’t faze me. I wasn’t going to let her walk all over me.

I tapped my legs impatiently. “Are you going to leave, or do you want me to drag you out?”

With a click of her tongue, she turned to leave, and I sighed in relief. That moment of relief quickly vanished when she turned to me again.

“One more thing: keep your freaking son out of my business,” she said angrily.

“What did you just say?” My voice turned cold.

I must have heard her wrong because she didn’t just curse at Noah.

“I won’t let him get in the way of my relationship just because he doesn’t like me. He’s a brat, and once I’m married to Rowan, I’ll send him off to boarding school. Who does he think he is? He’s still a kid and has no say in adult issues. So you either control the brat, or I swear you’ll be seeing me twice a year.”

The slap echoed in the room, taking her by surprise. She turned her head, one hand cradling her cheek.

“Did you just slap me?” Her wide eyes started filling with tears.

My hand tingled from the impact, but I ignored it. “Yes, and if you don’t get the hell out of my house right now…”

“You’ll pay for this,” she screamed before storming out, slamming the door behind her.

How could Rowan want such a woman around Noah? I couldn’t believe the horrible things she said about my son. What the hell happened to Emma? She was never this cruel; aloof, sure, but never cruel.

I leaned against the wall, catching my breath. My day was now ruined. The happiness I felt a few minutes ago had vanished.

The oven dinged, and I went to take out the cookies. I looked at them, but my excitement to eat them was gone. Leaving them to cool, I decided to watch a movie instead.

An hour later, my mind was still in turmoil. I didn’t even know what the movie was about. I finally decided to take a bath and switched off the TV.

I was just walking upstairs when the doorbell rang continuously, stopping me. I sighed and went to open it, thinking it was some girl or boy scout selling cookies.

Staring at Rowan’s angry face made me regret opening the door. Before I could react, he pushed me inside and closed the door behind him. He continued pushing until we were in the space between the foyer, kitchen, and living room.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Rowan boomed, making me shiver from his anger.

“What?”

“Did you think Emma wouldn’t tell me? Or did you think I wouldn’t notice the handprint on her cheek from you?”

He started pacing, and his words sunk in, dawning on me why he was here.

“You don’t understand,” I tried to explain, but he wouldn’t let me.

“Understand what? That you slapped her for no reason? That you accused her of being the one after you when you have no proof? Or do you want me to understand all the vile things you told her?” He advanced, his eyes blazing.

I didn’t know what she told him, but I was sure she lied and left out the important parts.

“I won’t let you hurt Emma, you hear me, Ava? If you ever lay a finger on her again…” He warned, his voice dangerously low.

This was a side of Rowan I’d never seen, and for the first time, I was scared of him.

“Rowan, it wasn’t like that; she…”

He cut me off. “She what? Fought back against your insults and told you I never loved you? She was right. Listen to me, Ava, you’re nothing, and you’ll stay nothing. You brag to her about sleeping with me, but the truth is I used you because you were convenient.” His eyes gleamed with malice.

“Please stop,” I pleaded, but he continued.

“You tried being decent, but you weren’t even good at it. Every time I was inside you, I wanted Emma. Every time I came, it was her face I saw. You were nothing special—just easy, and I used you. I used you like the slut you are.”

For the second time that day, I slapped someone. His head swung from the impact, and tears streamed down my face. Every word he said cut me apart.

“Leave, Rowan, and never step foot inside

my house again!” I screamed.

He turned away, but I didn’t hear him leave. Instead, I heard the sound of him hitting something hard and falling down.

“Rowan!” I rushed to him, kneeling beside him. He looked up at me, and I froze. His face was in pain, but I wasn’t ready for what I saw next. It made me recoil: it was hate and betrayal.

He got up, his hands forming fists. “Get the hell away from me. I don’t want to see your face again.”

I quickly stood up. “You’re the one who came here! You’re the one who pushed me to do this, Rowan. I didn’t lay a finger on her until she came here.”

“Shut up, Ava! I’m sick of hearing you defend yourself. You didn’t even care what I’d think when you hit her! You only care about yourself.”

“Maybe I should care. You want me to let that woman into my life without a fight? Why should I?”

He walked away, but I followed him, refusing to let this be the end.

“Rowan, please. I didn’t want it to come to this. I wanted us to be a family again.”

He stopped, and I thought I saw a glimmer of something. I had to try.

“Your son is scared of losing you, and so am I. I know I messed up, and I hurt you, but please don’t throw away everything we had. Let’s try again.”

His eyes softened slightly, and I thought he’d listen, but then he straightened up.

“No. There’s no coming back from this. You’ve crossed the line, and you’re not the woman I fell in love with anymore. You’re dead to me.”

And with those words, he left.