He Left Me for Her, But His Shocking Return Left Me Speechless

My Ex-Husband Left Me for Another Woman, Then Returned with a Request I Never Expected — Story of the Day

I was preparing to move in with my beloved partner and packed my belongings. All changed with a knock on the door. That was Tom, my ex-husband, the man who had abandoned me many years prior. My wounds hadn’t completely healed yet. Tom suddenly gave me an offer that completely changed my perspective.

I stood in the center of my living room, with cardboard boxes all over the place, representing the various aspects of my life that I was leaving behind. As I finished folding my last set of clothes, thoughts began to drift to the new chapter I was going to begin with Eric.

Though he wasn’t flawless, he was dependable and had managed to mend the broken pieces of my heart. My ex-husband Tom left behind empty places that were gradually filled by Eric’s quiet fortitude and persistent support.

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door. It was strangely familiar, but firm and demanding. I felt a weird unease seep into my chest as I wiped my hands on my jeans.

At what hour might it be someone?

Not that I was expecting anyone.

With my pulse pounding a little quicker than normal, I made my way to the door. I felt the globe shift slightly on its axis as soon as I opened it.

“Tom?”

He was there at my doorstep, appearing to be a phantom of a life I had made a concerted effort to leave behind. His face was engraved with creases that I had never noticed before, his hair was messier than I remembered, and his eyes were…

There was a sadness in those eyes that I couldn’t quite identify.

“Linda,” he uttered in a harsh, nearly breakable voice. “Is it okay for me to enter?”

My hand gripping the doorknob tightened as I paused. That was the man who had ripped my heart apart and kicked it carelessly. And yet, here he was, making a request.

For what precise purpose?

I nodded and moved aside against my better judgment, letting him enter the room I had almost packed away.

Tom entered carefully, glancing around as though he was looking for memories, his eyes resting on the partially packed boxes.

“Shifting?” he inquired, even though the response was clear.

Yes, I am moving in with my partner. What is it that you desire from me, Tom?

He seemed to take offense at the suggestion of another man. He gave a small flinch, which he quickly covered up with a fake smile.

That’s… that’s positive. I’m happy that you have a partner.

There was awkward silence for a moment. It went on and on, bringing a tension to the room that had not existed in years.

“Linda, I… If I didn’t need to be here, I wouldn’t be. After what I did, I know I have no right to ask for anything, yet I need your assistance.

With a desperation that only stems from complete futility, he gazed at me.

“She’s gone, the woman I left you for. Two weeks ago, she passed away.

Feeling embarrassed, he averted his gaze.

“And I, I now have a daughter.” Ava. Linda, she’s just a tiny child, and all she has is me. But I can’t handle it by myself. I can’t do what I thought I could. You are necessary to me.

Now standing in front of me was the man who had broken me and was pleading for assistance—for the sake of his daughter. I found the irony quite amusing.

“Tom, why me?” My question was hardly audible above a whisper. “Why do you come to me?”

Since I am familiar with you, Linda. You’re capable of this at heart. Nobody else that I know of does.

The life I had painstakingly crafted began to quake beneath my feet as I felt the ground beneath me move under his words. All of me wanted to tell him to go find someone else and to slam the door in his face.

However, there was a tiny voice within, a sigh of the woman I was once—the one who had yearned for a family and had once loved Tom with great intensity. And I hesitated at that whisper.

I felt the weight of the choice in front of me as I stared at him and the damaged man he had become. After finding serenity at last, Tom had returned mayhem to my life with only one knock.

It wasn’t just about me, though, this time. A child was involved, and none of this was fair to them.

Eric could never give me the kid I had yearned for years.

“Tom, I’m not sure whether I can pull this off. But I’ll give it some thought.

“Many thanks, Linda. All I can ask for is that.

Nothing in my life would ever be the same again as I watched him leave, the door softly clicking behind him.

I made the decision to see Tom. I knew in my heart that the past would not let me go so lightly. It resembled a shadow that would not go away.

It was calm in the café. I had selected a seat by the window. While I waited, my hands fidgeted with the napkin on the table.

I was a little uneasy as the door opened and Tom appeared inside. However, I later saw her.

That was Ava, clinging to Tom’s hand with her small figure and huge innocent eyes. She gave me a look.

Hello, Linda. After directing Ava to the seat across from me, Tom took a seat.

“This is Ava.”

“Hello, Ava,” I murmured. What a gorgeous outfit you wear. You appear to be a fairy.

With shy little curls on her fingers, she waved at me.

I was having trouble concentrating as Tom started talking about the challenges he had raising Ava by himself. I couldn’t help but stare at Ava as she played quietly with a little toy.

Something about her touched the most tender spots of my heart; she was so pure and sweet.

Something inside of me was sparked by the idea of being a mother that I hadn’t felt in years. It was a yearning that had never really left.

“Linda, this might be our second chance. A means of reconstructing the lost.

Tom put Ava in my arms before I could say anything. I sensed a connection and warmth that swept through me the instant she settled against me.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I gazed down at Ava, her little face so innocent.

“Tom, I really need some time,” I finally muttered. “I need more time to think this through.”

I gave Eric a call later.

I tried not to cry as I said, “I just need some time, Eric.” “I have to sort things out.”

Nothing was simple anymore, I realized as I hung up the phone.

The days that followed our encounter in the café passed quickly. I tried to see whether I could really think about Tom’s proposition, so I spent more and more time with Ava. What a sweet youngster she was.

I loved every second I spent with her, whether we were baking cookies in Tom’s kitchen or playing games at the park.

Could this actually be successful? Might I be the mother she requires?

Ava gazed up at me with her large, innocent eyes one afternoon as we drew together.

Will you take on the role of my new mother?

It surprised me that someone asked.

“My dear, I’m not sure yet. Right now, we’re just spending time together.

“I enjoy spending time with you,” she genuinely remarked.

Her remarks caused my heart to hurt.

Also, I enjoy being with you.

Though I kept it to myself, I did think that. Rather, I simply gave her a new crayon and smiled at her.

However, something continued to bother me in spite of these times of intimacy. For me to consent to this arrangement, Tom was too eager, too desperate.

I had a persistent hunch that something wasn’t right one evening. The house was silent as Tom had left to perform some errands.

I was alone with my thoughts while Ava dozed off on the couch.

What does he withhold from me? He is pressing this so hard, but why?

I couldn’t get the questions to stop racing through my head. I was standing outside Tom’s office door before I realized it.

With my hand resting on the handle, I hesitated.

“What have I done?” To myself, I mumbled.

I required clarification. I looked around the room, trying to find something. I had no idea.

Then I noticed that his desk had a drawer that was slightly ajar. Unconsciously, I pulled it open.

In black and white, there it was: a legacy dependent on Ava’s guardianship that Tom could only completely guarantee with a partner!

It has nothing to do with providing Ava a mother. It has to do with money!

I was waiting for Tom in the living room when he got home later. The papers, which were clearly evidence of what he had been hiding, were strewn all over the coffee table.

I yelled, “Tom,” as soon as he entered. “What is this? Would you ever be willing to be honest with me?

His countenance turned pallid.

“Linda, your perception is incorrect.”

“You know my opinion?” I interrupted him, raising my voice.

“Tom, these documents say it all. Did you not see that you were manipulating me to protect Ava’s inheritance?

He parted his lips to say something, but nothing came out. All the information I needed was the guilty expression in his eyes.

The space became quiet. Tears were starting to fill up, but I was determined not to let them fall. I needed to leave that place.

When I picked up my phone to call Eric, it went straight to voicemail. Fear began to set in.

What happens if I also lose him? What if everything has been damaged by this incident with Tom?

I became acutely aware of how much Eric meant to me as I stood there with the phone to my ear. He was the one who restored my faith in love.

“Please give me a call back, Eric,” I muttered into the phone. “I must speak with you. I truly apologize.

After hanging up, it was obvious that I had to stand up for Eric and all that really mattered.

I kept thinking about saying goodbye to Ava while the taxi raced across the metropolis. Her tiny hand was holding onto her dress while her bewildered gaze was looking into mine.

I fought back tears as I muttered, “I have to go, sweetie.”

But never forget that I will always treasure you.

My heart felt like it would shatter if I left her, yet staying would force me to return to the darkness I had worked so hard to get away from.

I furiously texted Eric numerous times while the taxi raced through the sodden streets.

I’ll be there. I really apologize. I was such an idiot. Please allow me to clarify.

I finally saw him when the taxi turned the corner to his street.

I was standing outside with Eric in the pouring rain, holding a bouquet of my favorite sort of white roses.

Even though he was completely saturated, he was still waiting just like he always had.

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