HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 119

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 119**

“Why did you stop me?” Vanessa’s voice was a sharp edge, slicing through the tense air around them. She pulled her arm away from James’s firm grip, her frustration bubbling over since they had arrived at the car. “Were you trying to prevent me from talking to Daven on purpose?”

“I would never dream of doing that, Miss Vanessa,” James replied, his voice steady and calm, a stark contrast to her tempestuous emotions. “Please, just get inside the car. It would be far more beneficial for you to collect your thoughts in a quieter space.”

“How can I possibly calm down when all I want is to speak to Daven?” she shouted, her voice echoing with desperation. Yet, as her gaze fell upon the cut at the corner of James’s lip—evidence of the struggle between them—her anger faltered, if only for a moment. “Get the first aid kit. I need to treat that.”

“We can take care of it once we’re inside the car, Miss Vanessa,” he insisted, maintaining his composure.

He had a valid point, she realized, though the fire of her frustration still smoldered within her. With a reluctant sigh, Vanessa slid into the car, her mood still heavy. Moments later, James handed her the first aid kit. She opened it with a huff, her heart softening as she carefully tended to the wound she had inadvertently caused.

“That must sting, doesn’t it?” she asked, her voice now laced with a hint of remorse. “I’m really sorry.”

“You don’t need to concern yourself with me,” James replied, a faint smile gracing his lips, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I don’t think Mr. Daven is intentionally avoiding you. Perhaps the timing just isn’t right.”

Vanessa’s expression darkened. “And when will the right time come, huh?” she retorted, thrusting the kit back at him with more force than necessary. “Lately, he acts like he’s drowning in something I can’t even begin to understand.” She crossed her arms tightly, a protective barrier against her rising anxiety.

James closed the first aid kit with a quiet finality and tucked it away. “According to the schedule, your next appointment is to discuss the photo concept for Voguy magazine. They’ve requested you arrive an hour early. Shouldn’t we head there now?”

But Vanessa’s gaze remained sharp and penetrating. “What do you think Daven’s been up to while he’s been ignoring me?”

James turned the ignition, the engine purring to life as he set the navigation system to their destination, deliberately avoiding her question.

“Aren’t you going to answer me?” Vanessa pressed, her irritation flaring again. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“How would I know what Mr. Daven is doing when I spend nearly all of my time with you?” James replied, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. “Would you like me to investigate?”

Vanessa leaned back against her seat, exasperation evident in her posture, arms still crossed defiantly. As the car pulled away from the parking lot, a sudden beeping sound interrupted the charged silence.

“Please fasten your seatbelt, Miss Vanessa.”

“Ah, sorry,” she muttered, hastily pulling the seatbelt across her body. The chime ceased once it clicked into place, allowing her to settle more comfortably into her seat. “That idea of yours—digging into what Daven’s been doing—I like it. Do your best, James.”

“Yes, Miss Vanessa,” he replied flatly, though a flicker of concern crossed his mind. Out of the corner of his eye, he stole a glance at the striking woman beside him. If only he could voice his thoughts—he hated seeing her treated so poorly by Daven. Wouldn’t it be better if they simply divorced? The romance between them had long since faded.

Their relationship felt like an elaborate facade, a performance for the world, rather than the genuine connection it once was.

And yet… did Vanessa view everything James did for her as merely filling the gaps left by Daven? Did she ever pause to consider his feelings? Of course, he had never spoken up about it.

Suddenly, the shrill ring of Vanessa’s phone pierced the air, pulling her from her spiraling thoughts. She fished it out of her purse with urgency, a flicker of hope igniting within her—perhaps it was Daven. But her heart sank as her father’s name illuminated the screen instead. A moment of hesitation flickered across her face. Should she answer?

“Should I take this?” she asked, glancing at James for guidance.

“Who’s calling?” he inquired, his eyes still focused on the road.

“My father,” she replied tersely.

James fell silent, but his silence spoke volumes. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to deal with her father; the situation was far more complicated than that.

The ringtone persisted, filling the air with tension as Vanessa stared at the screen, weighing her options. Finally, she pressed the green button. “Hi, Dad,” she greeted softly, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside her. There was no escaping this call.

“A sensible choice,” Theo replied shortly, but his tone turned sharper. “But you haven’t forgotten what upset me, have you?”

Vanessa squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she could erase the memory.

That night, her father had barely looked her in the eye, all because Daven had canceled the family dinner she had painstakingly organized. She had invited both her parents to dine with the Callisters, hoping to bridge the gap between their families. Even Kate Callister had agreed to join—at long last, something like unity felt within reach.

But instead… recalling that night reignited the flames of her anger toward Daven.

“Are you listening to me, Vanessa?”

“Yes, Dad.”

“Has Daven come back?”

“He has. He went straight to see his mother. I would have gone with him, but my schedule couldn’t be adjusted. I’m heading back to the hospital after this.”

Silence filled the space between them, heavy and oppressive.

“I’ll reschedule the family dinner, Dad,” she said quickly, eager to appease him. “I’ll ensure everyone is there—especially Daven.”

“You’d better. Don’t let your husband anger me again.”

Vanessa fell silent, the weight of her father’s words settling heavily on her shoulders.