HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 116

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 116**

“I’ve gone to great lengths to prepare the most exquisite gift for your mother-in-law,” James declared, casting a sideways glance at Vanessa, who sat elegantly beside him in the car. Her poise was a striking contrast to the anxious fluttering in her heart.

“Is there any news from Daven?” she inquired, her voice a mixture of hope and trepidation.

“Not yet, Miss,” James replied, his gaze firmly fixed on the road ahead. He knew he needed to maintain his composure, especially when it came to discussions about Daven. The name alone stirred a complex mix of emotions within him.

“I have this feeling…” Vanessa’s tone lifted, infused with a hopeful lilt, “that this news will finally bring my husband back home.” Her smile radiated warmth, lighting up her features. “How do I look? Perfect, right?”

“You always look perfect, Miss Vanessa,” James responded promptly, his voice steady.

“You’re absolutely right. Perfection is my only option. There can never be a single flaw in my life,” she mused, a hint of self-satisfaction creeping into her tone.

The car glided smoothly along the road, heading toward the hospital where Catherine Callister was receiving treatment. Vanessa clung tightly to the hope that today would be the day she would finally see her husband again. There were so many things weighing on her mind—especially the misunderstanding that, in her opinion, had to be the root cause of Daven’s recent distance.

She recalled their last phone call, a moment now tinged with regret. It was her own fault for changing his contact name from “my beloved husband” to something far more distant, a reflection of her anger and frustration. Why was he so fixated on the idea of having children? Did he truly believe that parenting was a walk in the park?

The mere thought of it sent a sharp pain through her temples, a throbbing reminder of her mounting stress.

Meanwhile, Daven was also making his way to the hospital. Kalina had informed him that their mother’s blood pressure had unexpectedly surged, leading to her fainting while tending to her garden—a place that had always brought her peace.

“Mr. Daven, Mr. Harold has been inquiring about the latest on the partnership between Callister Group and the project,” his assistant, Arsen, reported, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “I mentioned there might be a delay of about a week. What’s your plan moving forward?”

“I believe that’s the correct assessment,” Daven replied, his tone clipped, betraying none of the turmoil swirling within him. “However, before we proceed with Harold, I need to meet with Chris Miller. Has there been any communication from him?”

“Not yet, sir,” Arsen replied, maintaining his professional demeanor.

Daven nodded slightly. “Ensure that the meeting is scheduled appropriately.”

Before long, their vehicle pulled up to the hospital’s main entrance. Daven exited first, with Arsen dutifully following close behind.

“Oh, and Mr. Daven,” Arsen added as they hurried toward the VIP wing where Kate Callister was being treated, “Mrs. Vanessa arrived just a few minutes ago.”

Daven remained silent, his expression unchanging as he ignored the update, treating it as if it were inconsequential. But as he stepped into the corridor leading to the VIP suite, a familiar slender figure clad in a soft pink midi dress appeared before him.

“Darling!” Vanessa exclaimed, rushing forward to envelop his arm in a tight embrace. “You’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for you!”

Daven cast a fleeting glance her way before gently extricating his arm from her grasp, his silence speaking volumes.

“Thank you, Dr. Leonard,” Daven replied, gesturing for everyone to take a seat. The doctor was clearly here to discuss Kate Callister’s condition.

“Your mother is much more stable now. When she arrived last night, we noted a spike in her blood pressure, though thankfully, it didn’t reach a critical level. However, we strongly recommend stricter dietary management and minimizing stress.”

“Is there any long-term risk?” Kalina interjected quickly, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Felicia leaned in, offering silent support by resting her arm around her sister’s shoulders.

“If we don’t manage it properly, it could affect her heart or kidney function. Her overall health is declining, but for now, everything is under control. What we need is full cooperation from the family to ensure she adheres to medical advice.”

Daven nodded, absorbing every detail. “Thank you for the thorough explanation, Doctor.”

“Of course, Mr. Callister.” Dr. Leonard offered a brief smile before excusing himself from the room.

Kate Callister lay peacefully asleep, her breathing steady but faint. She appeared far more tranquil now than she had the previous night. Daven let out a long, weary sigh.

“Thank you both for acting so swiftly,” he murmured quietly, his gaze still fixed on his mother.

Kalina dabbed at the corner of her eye with a tissue, while Felicia leaned gently against her shoulder.

“But… nothing bad is going to happen to Mommy, right, Daven?” Felicia’s voice trembled, a mixture of hope and fear reflecting in her eyes.