HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“I’m getting married again,” Daven announced abruptly, his tone firm and resolute. “And I won’t repeat myself, nor will I be seeking your approval.”

He slammed his coffee cup down on the table, cutting short the breakfast he hadn’t even touched.

Althea stood motionless by the long dining table, its pristine white marble surface gleaming under the morning light. Her fingers, still gripping the spatula she had been using moments ago, trembled faintly. Yet, she maintained a composed mask, bowing her head slightly as if to let Daven’s words settle deep within her—though inside, they felt like a creeping poison, slowly eroding her from the inside out.

“With Vanessa?” she whispered, barely audible.

Daven didn’t meet her gaze. Instead, he drew a shallow breath and replied icily, “Yes. Who else?”

Her husband, Daven Callister, had never truly loved her. His heart had always belonged to Vanessa Blake. Their marriage had been nothing more than a barrier in his real love story. But what could Althea do, when the woman who had orchestrated their union had treated her with kindness?

Evelyn Callister—Daven’s grandmother.

Althea had never desired this marriage. All she wanted was a proper farewell for her mother. Everything that came after felt like inevitability, a fate she had reluctantly accepted. She surrendered, despite the lingering sorrow that haunted her every day since her mother’s death. But Evelyn refused to let things end there. She insisted that her beloved grandson, Daven—the man responsible for Althea’s mother’s demise—marry Althea as a form of restitution. Evelyn saw Althea as a lonely girl with no one else to turn to.

Daven had only agreed because he was trapped by his grandmother’s wishes. He had no choice but to comply. But now, with Evelyn Callister gone—taken by illness just two weeks prior—Daven finally glimpsed an escape from a marriage he had never wanted.

There was no reason to stay any longer. Not now.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved Althea’s lips—not one of happiness, but of bitter acceptance. She switched off the stove and gently laid the spatula down. Closing her eyes tightly, she fought to contain the tempest roaring inside her chest.

“I won’t stand in your way,” she said softly at last, her voice barely carrying across the spacious room. “We both know I never truly belonged in your heart.”

Daven remained silent. He neither denied nor corrected her. Yet, a flicker of unease flashed in his eyes as Althea moved slowly toward him. For a brief moment, he wondered if she might break down, plead, or show just enough sorrow to stir his conscience.

But she did none of those things.

Althea stood tall, her hands clenched lightly at the sides of her simple dress. Her long black hair cascaded freely down her back, a quiet contrast to the steady strength in her stance. Her warm, light brown eyes fixed on him—blank, unreadable—looking at the man who had always been a stranger under the same roof.

Althea was beautiful in her own subtle way. But that beauty had never awakened anything in Daven. To him, she was merely an intrusion—an outsider forced into his life. And now that he had the chance to remove her, Daven intended to do just that.

“Give me one month of your time,” Althea said calmly. “Just one month… Let me be your wife for real.”

Daven narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ll leave, just as you want. After you say your wedding vows to the woman you love.” Each word she spoke stabbed at her heart, the pain raw and sharp. “You can divorce me, and I promise—I’ll vanish from your life for good. But before that, let me experience what it truly feels like to be a wife. Not just some stranger living under your roof.”

Silence hung heavily between them.

Then, Daven let out a dismissive laugh, wiping the corner of his eye as if amused by the absurdity of her request. What on earth was she thinking?

One month? The idea was ridiculous.

He took a step closer, closing the gap between them. His eyes scanned her face, searching for some hidden motive. Maybe, as his grandmother had suspected all along, Althea was after the wealth tied to his name.

Neither spoke after that.

This time, Daven’s gaze softened slightly. He looked at the woman before him with a mixture of emotions—was it confusion? Annoyance? Or perhaps… curiosity?

“I’m not promising to be kind,” he finally said.

“I never expected you to change,” Althea answered, her calmness more shattering than any tears could have been.

And with those words, an unspoken agreement was forged.

One month. Thirty days for Althea to live as the wife of Daven Callister. A reality that should have existed from the day they were wed. But to Daven, she had always been nothing more than an unwelcome intruder.

Now, before it all ended, Althea could at least be grateful that Daven hadn’t outright rejected her request.

“Only one month, Althea,” Daven warned. “After that, you vanish from my life.”

“I understand exactly what I’m asking for, Daven. You don’t need to worry.”

He scoffed, a curl of disdain tugging at his lips. “And if you expect more than I’m willing to give, I won’t hesitate to throw you out.”

Althea nodded quietly.

“Don’t you dare break your promise, Althea.” His gaze sharpened again, cold and piercing. “If you do, don’t blame me for destroying your life.”