HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 102

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 102**

Chase, as always, embodied the essence of a true gentleman. With a graceful motion, he pulled out a chair for Althea, ensuring she was comfortably seated before he redirected his attention to Josh. He knelt beside the little boy, his demeanor gentle and reassuring, as he helped him settle into the unfamiliar surroundings. Chase could sense the unease radiating from Josh, who was now encircled by strangers, and he made it his mission to alleviate the boy’s discomfort.

Dinner commenced, and while the food was plentiful, the conversation skimmed the surface like a stone skipping across a pond. Polite exchanges filled the air, but they lacked depth and warmth. Althea did her utmost to keep pace with the discussions, offering smiles and nods at appropriate moments, all while casting furtive glances at Josh. She wanted to ensure her son was adapting well, even if it meant sacrificing her own comfort in the process.

Yet, the atmosphere around the table was palpable with tension—awkwardness hung in the air like a dense fog. It was stiff, too controlled, and Althea felt the weight of it pressing down on her. How was she supposed to navigate this treacherous social landscape?

“Miss Grayson,” came a voice from the head of the table, slicing through the strained silence. It was Daniel Miller, Chase’s father, who had waited until the plates were cleared and the polite chatter seemed suitable.

“Yes, Mr. Miller?” Althea replied, keeping her voice steady, though her heart raced.

“How long have you known my son?”

His question was blunt, a direct arrow that pierced the atmosphere. It offered Althea no opportunity for deflection, no time to soften the moment with pleasantries. Before she could gather her thoughts, he continued, “And I’ve heard… you had a child before you met Chase. That would be Josh, I assume?”

His tone was flat, devoid of kindness yet not overtly cruel. Still, there was an undertone of judgment that curled around his words, tightening something deep within Althea’s chest.

“Yes, Josh is my son,” she responded, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “I’ve known Chase as the principal at the school where I teach for nearly three years. But… it’s only been the last two months that we’ve developed a closer relationship—personally, I mean.”

“I see.” Mr. Miller’s reaction was lukewarm, as if he was merely cataloging her response in his mind without any real interest. No follow-up questions emerged, just a slight nod that suggested he had neatly placed her into a mental compartment and moved on without a second thought.

The remainder of the dinner unfolded with minimal engagement, a series of exchanges that felt obligatory rather than genuine. There was no spark of curiosity, no warmth to bridge the distance. Chase’s cousins occasionally offered faint smiles, but for the most part, their heads were bowed, engaged in whispers that were too low for Althea to catch. One of his siblings absentmindedly pushed food around her plate, her appetite seemingly lost amidst the tension.

Josh, who typically brimmed with chatter and enthusiasm, was unusually quiet. He clung to Chase’s arm, his small frame tense, or he turned to Althea, seeking her reassurance. It was as if he were trying to gauge the safety of this new environment, searching for a place to land amidst the uncertainty.

Chase noticed immediately, and it stung him deeply.

He had not anticipated such a cold reception from his family—his own parents and siblings. Their aloofness felt like a slap in the face, leaving him infuriated.

Desperately.

“Miss Grayson.”

The voice this time belonged to Riana Miller—Chase’s mother.

Althea turned her head, her heart racing. “Yes, Mrs. Miller?”

“I’d like to ask you something—again,” Riana said, her gaze fixed intently on Althea. There was something inscrutable in her eyes, not curiosity but a quiet interrogation, as if she were attempting to peel back layers of Althea’s life without uttering a word.

“You’re free to ask anything, Mrs. Miller,” Althea replied, her composure unwavering. “If I have the answer, I’ll share it with you.”

Riana offered a faint smile, but her eyes remained probing. “Were you… truly a single mother? Since Josh was in your womb?”