HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 100

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 100**

He couldn’t shake the memories that flooded his mind, memories of her pleading for his attention, her eyes wide with desperation. How she had surrendered herself completely to whatever he offered, to every whim and desire he had.

And now, as he stood there, the weight of the past pressed heavily on his chest.

God, no. He couldn’t afford to lose control—not now, not when he had come to SunCity with a purpose. He needed to remain composed, to keep his focus sharp. The truth awaited him, and he was determined to uncover it. Once he had the answers he sought, he would confront Althea in the way that had always been his. If it meant dragging her back to Mighatan himself, then so be it.

What transpired there was inconsequential. One thing he was certain of: taking Josh away meant wrenching him from his mother’s embrace. The thought of seeing that joy vanish from the boy’s face twisted something deep inside Daven. He wanted to give Josh a life filled with stability and love. And Althea—bringing her back under his control would be a simple task.

After all, he had done it before. He could do it again.

“I don’t know you,” Althea asserted, her smile tight and unyielding. “And even if my son insists you’re a kind man, I have no interest in getting to know you.” Her tone was resolute, as if she were drawing a line in the sand. “I hope you can understand that.”

Daven felt a weak smile tug at his lips, but it quickly faded. How could she deliver such a dismissal with such ease?

“Josh is quite the brave little boy,” Daven said, shifting his attention to the child. He fought against the urge to reach out, to ruffle Josh’s hair affectionately. The temptation was overwhelming, but he held it back, biting down on his instincts.

“Thank you for the kind words, sir,” Althea replied, her smile barely touching her eyes. She made a conscious effort to maintain her distance, as if creating an invisible barrier between them. “Excuse us. We really must be on our way now. Isn’t that right, darling?”

Chase beamed, his enthusiasm infectious. “You’re absolutely right! Well then, we should take our leave. My fiancée is eager to meet our big family. My mother absolutely adores her. So… I hope that’s alright?”

“Not at all,” Daven managed to respond, forcing a smile that felt like a mask. “Enjoy your evening, Mr. Miller.”

He watched as they turned away, his gaze lingering on every interaction, every subtle nuance of their dynamic. If there had been any hint of pretense, especially between Althea and Chase, Daven was confident he would have sensed it. But there was nothing—no cracks in their façade, no signs of deceit.

What he observed instead was a genuine, loving family. The cheerful laughter of a child, the soft, nurturing tone of a mother, and the solid presence of a man who embodied both husband and father, enveloping them in warmth and affection.

Without hesitation, Arsen tapped it open, his eyes scanning the report from one of his informants. It was the latest surveillance update regarding Daven’s estranged wife, Vanessa Blake. Every detail of her recent activities illuminated the screen before him.

Initially, Arsen’s expression was inscrutable, but as he absorbed the information, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“What the hell is this?” he exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper.

Daven, still fixated on the road ahead, turned slightly, noticing the shift in his assistant’s demeanor. Arsen rarely reacted this way unless something significant had transpired.

“What is it?” Daven asked, his curiosity piqued.

Arsen looked back at him, visibly disturbed. In his hands, the tablet displayed a photo that sent chills down Daven’s spine—Vanessa, half-naked, tangled in bed with none other than… James.

“Is that a report on my beloved wife?” Daven asked, a twisted smirk creeping onto his lips. “Hand it over.”