HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 110

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 110**

With a determined push, Althea swung open the heavy steel door at the far end of the fifth-floor corridor. The door, cold to the touch with its metallic handle, led her to a hidden gem: a rooftop garden perched atop the administration building. This tranquil sanctuary was a recent discovery for her, a secret Chase had let slip during one of their conversations, describing it as his personal haven to escape the chaos of life.

As the door creaked and sighed on its hinges, a gentle breeze welcomed her, playfully dancing with the loose strands of hair that had escaped her neatly tied ponytail. The air felt invigorating up here, a refreshing contrast to the stuffy confines of the building below. The sky, though not the vibrant blue of a perfect day, wore a soothing shade of gray that wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, inviting her to breathe deeply and let go of her worries.

Her eyes roamed over the small garden, a riot of colors and fragrances that seemed to defy the seasons. Flowers flourished in harmonious arrangements, each bloom given its rightful space to shine without competing for attention. Yet, as she scanned the vibrant landscape, she noted with a hint of disappointment that Chase was not yet among the blossoms.

“Maybe he’s still caught up with something important,” she mused aloud, tucking a rebellious lock of hair behind her ear as the wind playfully tugged at it once more. With a purposeful stride, she made her way to the gazebo that stood proudly in the center of the garden—a quaint wooden bench sheltered beneath a delicate canopy, overlooking a serene pond that glimmered with reflections of the sky.

Settling onto the bench, Althea allowed the enveloping silence to wrap around her like a warm, soft blanket. In this moment, her lungs felt fuller, her chest lighter, as if the worries that had weighed her down were beginning to dissipate. Perhaps Chase had been right after all. This place was indeed an oasis for her frazzled mind, a sanctuary where the tension could melt away. The gentle sound of water trickling from the nearby fountain was like a soothing lullaby, calming her frayed nerves.

Leaning back, she closed her eyes, savoring the tranquility that surrounded her. If Chase did show up, she promised herself she would express her gratitude. The heaviness that had settled in her chest since Daven’s unexpected visit that morning was finally beginning to lift, and she welcomed the relief.

Suddenly, the soft sound of approaching footsteps broke the stillness.

“I honestly didn’t expect you to come,” Chase said, a playful lilt in his voice as he approached, balancing two steaming cups of coffee and a small box of pastries in his hands. “So, what do you think of this little slice of paradise?”

Althea opened her eyes and greeted him with a warm smile. “You invited me, didn’t you? Of course I would come. Besides, you promised this place would help me unwind.”

“And? Was I right?” Chase inquired, settling beside her, his gaze lingering on her face, taking in the peace that enveloped her as she absorbed the moment.

“I trust you,” she replied softly, the sincerity of her words hanging in the air between them.

“I hope you’ll continue to trust me with more than just this,” he responded, a broad smile breaking across his face. “I brought you an iced espresso—less sugar, just how you like it. And a slice of honey almond cake, purely for mood-enhancing purposes.”

Althea let out a light laugh, the sound bubbling up like a refreshing spring. “You really do have a knack for knowing exactly what I need.”

“I do my best,” Chase said with a casual shrug, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “But let’s keep this little rendezvous a secret. If the other teachers catch wind of this, they might think I’m playing favorites.”

Their laughter mingled in the air, a delightful sound that chased away the shadows of doubt and anxiety she had brought with her.

“I heard your class went exceptionally well today,” Chase remarked, taking a sip of his coffee, his expression one of genuine interest.

“Yeah… I suppose it did. The kids were so eager to dive into geometric shapes. Who would have thought they’d compete to name everything that resembled a circle?”

“Probably because of the way you teach. Word has it that you prefer giving them real-life examples and hands-on exercises instead of just lecturing,” he said, nodding in understanding.

Her brows knitted together, confusion washing over her. “What do you mean by that?”

Chase reached out, affectionately ruffling the top of her head, a gesture filled with warmth and care. “That’s part of how I protect both of you. I’ve already warned him—if he tries to overstep, I won’t hesitate to revoke his access to this school, including his donation privileges. I can’t fathom what he was thinking when he made that donation, as if I couldn’t establish a mini library for Josh’s school myself,” he scoffed, genuine annoyance coloring his tone.

Althea felt a flicker of amusement at the childlike indignation in his voice, but it was quickly overshadowed by the seriousness of their conversation. She turned to him, absorbing the weight of his words. This was the reassurance she desperately needed, the kind that he offered without her having to ask.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

“You don’t need to thank me,” Chase replied, his smile softening. “I don’t want my future wife to lose her smile. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep seeing that beautiful smile of yours. And I want to be there for Josh too.”

Althea found herself at a loss for words. Chase had already given her so much—support, understanding, and kindness—long before she had even contemplated accepting his offer to help.

“You’re not in this alone, Althea,” Chase said gently, his sincerity wrapping around her like a protective shield. “As long as I’m here, you don’t have to bear this burden by yourself.”

The conversation fell into a comfortable silence, a gentle breeze flowing through the rooftop garden, carrying with it an unhurried sense of peace. With each passing moment, Althea felt a little more space open up within her, allowing her to breathe a little easier.

“Oh, and I almost forgot to mention,” Chase added casually, as if it were an afterthought. “Aside from my mom wanting to meet you and make lasagna together, she’s also eager to discuss our wedding plans. You don’t mind, do you?”