HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Althea turned around with a composed air. “Good morning, Kalina,” she said quietly.

Next came Felicia, her laughter ringing out louder and more exaggerated than usual. “Morning, our Honorable Maid,” she teased. “You’re really something, aren’t you? Cooking this early in the day. Trying to win Daven over with breakfast, huh?”

Althea didn’t respond right away. Instead, she carefully placed a plate of boiled eggs and toast on the table before facing them directly. “This isn’t about impressing anyone,” she replied calmly. “It’s simply my way of showing respect to the family I live with.”

Kalina scoffed, disbelief clear in her voice. “You’re seriously delusional. Acting like some real wife, serving breakfast like that. When soon enough—”

“That’s enough, Kalina,” interrupted a sharp, commanding voice from the doorway. Catherine Callister entered, her presence as regal as ever, draped in a flowing silk kimono. “Let her enjoy the role while she still can.”

Althea bowed her head respectfully. “Good morning, Mother.”

Catherine took her seat at the head of the table, lifting the cup of coffee that had already been set before her. “Morning? I’m not so sure about that. Seeing you in the kitchen… it’s done something unpleasant to my appetite.”

Felicia smirked. “Mom’s right. I think I might lose my appetite completely.”

Althea stood tall, her expression serene yet resolute. Behind that calm exterior was a quiet patience, carefully nurtured and unwavering.

“I’m simply fulfilling my duty,” she said softly. “Besides, I see no harm in preparing something for my mother-in-law before I leave this house for good.”

Her words hit Catherine like a sudden slap. The woman’s hand froze mid-stir over her coffee.

“Oh? So now you’ve finally learned your place?”

Althea offered a faint, almost wistful smile. “Not exactly. I just don’t want to live with the regret of never doing what should have been done. After all, there isn’t much time left.”

Kalina cut in, rolling her eyes. “Oh, stop being so dramatic. You’re acting like some tragic heroine. You’re just a lucky woman who happened to marry a man far too good for you.”

Felicia added with a sneer, “And incredibly stupid. If I were Daven, I would’ve kicked you out ages ago. My brother’s way too soft.”

Althea closed her eyes briefly, refusing to let their words get under her skin. When she spoke again, her voice was calm but firm.

“If my presence here truly is a burden, I trust Daven will end it soon. When that happens, I won’t cling to anything. But until then, I remain Althea Grayson—wife of Daven Callister. With all the duties and respect that title demands. So I suggest… you endure it as well.”

Suddenly, Catherine rose from her seat, her face tightening with displeasure. “Stop pretending to have dignity. You’re nothing more than an orphan this family happened to take in.”

Althea lifted her chin, maintaining a gentle gaze. “You’re right, Mother. With all due respect… even an orphan can have honor. Even without a grand name, one can still preserve their dignity.”

Felicia hissed quietly under her breath. “You’re awfully arrogant this morning.”

That’s exactly what Althea felt this morning.

And Daven Callister was the one who made her feel it.

He always knew exactly how to shatter her pride.

She should have grown used to it by now. But today… the sting was sharper than usual.

“Can you hurry up? I have a meeting this morning,” Daven added, completely indifferent to the look in her eyes or the storm swelling inside her chest.

To him, Althea was just someone who would soon vanish from his life.

And that was precisely how Daven wanted it.

Right. Don’t go soft like last night—when he had foolishly allowed a flicker of concern for that woman.

Concern? For her?

Ridiculous.