HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 120

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 120**

“Sir, here’s your coffee.”

The café server carefully set the steaming cup down on the table, deftly avoiding the chaos of papers strewn across the surface in front of Daven. It was a delicate maneuver, one that required both skill and caution, especially considering the palpable tension that seemed to hang in the air like a thick fog. Daven’s expression was dark, a storm brewing within him that made the server tread lightly, as if he were walking on a tightrope. There was an undeniable intensity to Daven this evening, a presence that could easily intimidate anyone who dared to cross his path.

Without so much as a glance or a word of thanks, Daven’s eyes flicked briefly to the cup before returning to the documents that consumed his attention. The appreciation for the server’s effort came instead from Arsen, who sat across from him, his own demeanor a mix of concern and understanding.

Once the server had retreated, Arsen let out a slow, measured breath. He was acutely aware of the weight pressing down on Daven’s shoulders. The grimness etched across Daven’s face was a telltale sign of the turmoil within. Arsen had witnessed the surveillance reports on Vanessa during their time in SunCity, and the implications were impossible to ignore. Each line of text screamed betrayal, suggesting that Daven’s wife might indeed be straying from the vows they had exchanged.

As if that revelation wasn’t enough to bear, there was the matter of Mrs. Kate Callister. Despite the doctor’s assurances that her condition wasn’t critical, the fact remained that she had yet to regain consciousness. The stress continued to mount, especially after Daven had received an unsettling phone call from Theo Blake, his father-in-law. The details of their conversation were shrouded in mystery, but the way Daven’s mood soured afterward spoke volumes.

“Any word from Chris Miller?” Daven finally broke the silence, his gaze fixed on the plans laid out before him—documents pertaining to the Frankfurt project. Progress was inching closer to fruition, and he felt the urgency of needing to plan a trip there soon. Yet, the thought weighed heavily on his mind, burdened by the shadows of other pressing matters.

His mother’s health crisis loomed large, and the enigma surrounding Chris only added to the pressure. Whoever this boy was, someone was determined to keep him hidden from Daven, and the secrecy gnawed at him.

Arsen shook his head, his expression somber. “Nothing yet, Sir. Our team has explored every avenue to reach him, but the latest intel indicates that Mr. Chris is currently in New Zealand. He may return within the week.”

“When he does come back, ensure that we secure a meeting with him. I want a face-to-face discussion,” Daven instructed, his tone leaving no room for debate.

“Understood, Mr. Daven,” Arsen replied, noting the gravity in Daven’s voice.

Daven exhaled deeply, shutting his eyes for a fleeting moment as he pushed the documents aside. Finally, he took a sip of the coffee, hoping it would clear the fog in his mind. It would be disingenuous to claim that his thoughts were organized; they were anything but.

His mother’s sudden illness weighed heavily on him. The looming specter of his wife’s potential infidelity was a wound that had yet to heal, and the loose ends of his life seemed to tug at him from all directions. The unexpected reunion with Althea was still fresh in his mind, not to mention Josh. And then there was that disconcerting phone call from Theo Blake.

“Arsen,” he said, his voice now steady but laced with determination. “I need you to investigate in detail the projects that the Callister Group is involved in with the Blake family. I want to know precisely where my father-in-law’s interests lie, and how deeply they are intertwined.”

Arsen’s brow furrowed in confusion. This was a new direction for Daven, one he hadn’t broached before. Was there something lurking beneath the surface that required their attention?

“Furthermore,” Daven continued, “if we decide to withdraw from any of those partnerships, I need a comprehensive report. I want to know the penalties we would face, the financial implications—everything.”

“Sir—” Arsen began, but Daven’s sharp gaze silenced him.

“You have one month,” Daven interjected, his voice firm and resolute, leaving no space for argument or hesitation. “And ensure our best legal team is on standby. I am filing for divorce. It’s time my beloved wife receives the papers.”

Arsen’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait… are you truly going through with filing for divorce?”

Daven’s look was piercing. “Why ask a question that’s already been answered? Do you genuinely believe I would remain passive after being treated with such disregard by my wife?”

Silence enveloped Arsen as he grappled with the reality of the situation. Who in their right mind would tolerate betrayal from their partner? No one, especially not Daven, who had consistently urged Vanessa to step back from her fame, assuring her that he could provide for her every desire. And this was how she repaid him?

If Arsen were in Daven’s position, he would have sought a divorce long ago.

That opportunity wouldn’t last forever if—

No. Daven cut that thought off, refusing to entertain the darkness that threatened to creep in.

The hospital room door swung open, and Kalina appeared, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. At that moment, Kate turned her gaze toward the doorway, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.

“You’re here?” she murmured, a faint smile gracing her lips. Though her face remained pale, there was a noticeable improvement compared to the previous day. “Come here.”

In an instant, Daven crossed the room and settled on the edge of her bed, gently taking her hand in his. “You scared me, Mom,” he said softly, his voice filled with tenderness.

“Is that so?” Kate chuckled lightly, a sound that felt like music to his ears. “Do I really have to be hospitalized just to get some of your time?”

“Why would you say something like that?” Daven replied, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone, though he couldn’t hide the affection behind it.

“Where’s your wife?”

The question hung in the air, and he fell silent, unable to muster a response.

“Still too caught up in her own world?” Kate inquired softly, her voice tinged with disappointment. “Not even a moment to spare… just to see me?”