Dear Ex-wife; You'll Regret It

Chapter One – Kaelen

The steady beeping of the monitor filled the hospital room, a cruel reminder of how fragile my daughter’s life had become.

Mirella lay in the bed, her tiny frame dwarfed by the white sheets, an IV line taped carefully to her hand. Her skin was pale, too pale for a child who should’ve been outside running in the sun. For a child who should have been causing mischief around the house.

“Daddy,” her voice came out soft, weak, “when’s Mommy coming?”

My chest tightened at her words.

She’d been asking me the same question all day, hope lighting up her big eyes every time the door opened like the person who was opening the door was her mother. And each time, disappointment dimmed that light a little more.

“She’ll be here soon, princess,” I murmured, brushing the damp hair from her forehead. My phone felt so heavy in my hand as I checked it again.

There was no missed calls, no text messages... Nothing.

I pressed on dial anyway, calling Riley for what must’ve been the tenth time today. If not more.

It rang once, twice and then cut straight to voicemail.

I forced a smile for Mirella. “Maybe she’s stuck in traffic baby. You know your mom, always running around.”

She nodded but didn’t look convinced. Her small hand tugged at my sleeve. “But you know she promised, Daddy. She said she’d be here today.”

I swallowed hard, guilt twisting inside me.

What hurt more was that today wasn’t just another day.

Today was her birthday. Six years old, and instead of balloons and cake, she was hooked up to machines. Riley had promised she’d be here, had sworn she wouldn’t miss it.

So why? So—

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. A nurse came in, wheeling her cart of supplies. “Time to change the dressing,” she said kindly. “It’ll just take a moment.”

I nodded, stepping aside. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, and I snatched it up, heart leaping. Finally.

It was a message from Riley.

Something came up. I can’t make it. Take care of her for me. And please for the love of God, stop calling.

I stared at the words until they blurred, a bitter laugh breaking from my throat.

Can’t make it? She’d known. She’d known what today was, what this meant to our daughter, and still—

I clenched the phone until my knuckles ached.

“Daddy?” Mirella’s small voice called once the nurse left. She shifted slightly, pulling her tablet from under the blanket.

“See.” She pushed it toward me. On the screen were photos of my wife, her mother, Riley smiling, with a cake glowing with candles, balloons in the background.

But the child in her arms wasn’t Mirella. It was Darren’s son.

Aiden.

I froze, staring at the image. Riley had been with them. Celebrating his child’s birthday, while her own lay here, sick and waiting.

“Daddy?” Mirella’s small voice called once the nurse left. Her eyes searched mine, wide and sad. “Does Mommy… not love me anymore? Did I do something wrong? Or is it because I'm sick? I promise not to be sick anymore Daddy.”

Her question stabbed deeper than any knife. I knelt by her bedside, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Don’t say that. There’s no mother in the world who doesn’t love her child. She’s just… busy. That’s all.”

Mirella’s lips trembled, and she turned her face into the pillow. “That’s a lie.”

The word hit me like a slap.

“Mommy’s always with Aiden,” Mirella whispered. “She goes to all his games, his parties. She doesn’t come for me.” Her little voice cracked. “Maybe she doesn’t want me anymore.”

I gathered her into my arms, holding her tightly, willing my trembling hands to stay strong. “No, baby. Don’t ever think that. Mommy loves you. She’s just… confused. But I’m here. I’ll always be here.”

Her eyes fluttered shut as exhaustion pulled her under, but the faint curve of her mouth told me she didn’t believe me.

I sat by her side, brushing her hair back. “Tomorrow,” I whispered, “you’ll see her tomorrow. I’ll make sure of it.”

Her lashes lifted just enough for her to whisper, “Promise?”

I swallowed hard, forcing the lie past my throat. “I promise.”

The words had barely left my lips when Mirella began coughing violently. My heart lurched as blood speckled her lips, the crimson color looking so frightening against her pale skin.

“Mirella!” I shouted, pressing the emergency button as alarms blared from the monitor.

The door burst open, nurses rushing in. “Post-op patient is in danger!” one of them yelled. “Get the crash cart—now!”

“Code blue!”

“Stand by!”

I was shoved back as they worked, my hands shaking, my body frozen. I couldn’t do anything but watch, helpless, as my little girl’s life slipped further from my grasp.

“Daddy?” her weak cry cut through the chaos for just a second. She tried to reach for me, her tiny hand trembling, and my knees buckled at the sight.

“I’m right here, princess! I’m not going anywhere!” My voice cracked, raw and desperate. “Hold on for me, please. Just hold on.”

Her hand slipped back against the sheets as the nurses pushed me further away.

My phone vibrated again. Riley’s name flashed across the screen, but before I could answer, the sound of the nurse shouting drowned out everything else.

Somewhere across town, Riley was probably tucking Darren’s son into bed, smiling at his childish demands. And here… here our daughter was fighting for her life.

I’d never felt more alone.

My phone vibrated again, Riley’s name flashing across the screen. I didn’t hesitate this time—I hit call, pressing the phone tight to my ear.

She answered on the second ring, her voice sharp with annoyance. “Kaelen, what now?”

“What now?” My throat felt raw. “Our daughter can’t breathe! She’s coughing up blood, Riley—you promised you’d be here today!”

There was a pause, muffled sounds in the background, then her tone softened just a fraction. “I’m on my way, okay? Just… just keep her calm until I get there.”

“You swear it?” I demanded, my voice breaking. “Don’t lie to her again, Riley. Don’t—”

“I said I’m coming,” she cut me off quickly, then the line went dead.

I stared at the screen, heart pounding, forcing myself to believe her words. For Mirella’s sake, I had to.

It wasn't like I had another choice.