HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 125

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

**Chapter 125**

Theo’s question hung heavily in the air, enveloping the dinner table in a thick shroud of silence that seemed to stretch on indefinitely.

Felicia and Kate exchanged a fleeting glance, their eyes speaking volumes as they weighed the gravity of the moment. Neither of them dared to break the stillness, each waiting for the other to find the courage to speak first, as if the right words might magically dissolve the tension.

Daven sat in his chair, an immovable statue, exuding an air of calm detachment that belied the undercurrents of emotion swirling around him. It was Vanessa, however, who seized the moment with a practiced elegance that was both admirable and heartbreaking.

She lowered her gaze, allowing a soft sigh to escape her lips, a sound filled with unspoken weight. When she finally lifted her eyes, they glistened with unshed tears that began their slow descent down her cheeks, leaving shimmering trails in their wake.

“Dad,” she began, her voice quaking, fragile yet resolute. “I’ve tried; I really have. I’ve been doing everything I can to make this marriage work. But life doesn’t always bend to our wishes.”

Theo’s brow furrowed, confusion mingling with concern. “What are you trying to say, Vanessa?”

There was a pause, a moment where Vanessa seemed to gather her thoughts, her expression a delicate tapestry woven with sadness and restraint. “Sometimes, I wonder if I placed my hopes too high,” she confessed, her tone laced with vulnerability. “I understand that Daven is a busy man. I never expected him to be by my side every moment. But… I’m human too, Dad.”

Daven remained silent, his expression inscrutable as Vanessa dabbed at the tears that threatened to spill over.

“People act as if I’m the sole reason for our troubles,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned her gaze toward her mother-in-law. “All I wanted was to be understood. Sometimes… I miss the feeling of being loved the way I once was.”

A soft sob broke free, a carefully orchestrated crack in her otherwise composed demeanor.

She knew that Theo Blake would not overlook such a moment.

Though he often appeared distant and aloof, Vanessa was keenly aware that he cared deeply. And Daven? He held his father-in-law in high regard, too respectful to remain indifferent for long. This was the moment she had been waiting for—the leverage she desperately needed.

At last, Theo’s attention shifted to Daven, his eyes narrowing with a mixture of expectation and disappointment. “Daven, are you really going to remain silent?”

Theo’s forehead creased deeper, a frown etched with concern.

Vanessa slowly lifted her head, her wounded expression still firmly in place. “I didn’t twist anything, Mom.”

“But you didn’t share the whole truth, either,” Kate countered, leaning back in her chair with deliberate composure. She reached for the edge of the napkin resting on her lap, dabbing the corner of her mouth—a subtle signal that her meal was done, and it was time for frankness.

“I know Daven isn’t a perfect husband; I’m not here to defend him blindly just because he’s my son. But he has made countless efforts to become the ideal partner you seem to expect. Have you forgotten that, Vanessa? Despite his hectic schedule, he still comes home. He still carves out time for this family, even when you, his legally wedded wife, prioritize press conferences, film roles, and social events.”

“Mom…” Vanessa’s voice was a mere whisper, the weight of the accusation pressing heavily on her heart.

“Don’t call me that if you refuse to act like a proper daughter-in-law,” Kate shot back, her words sharp as glass.

“I’ve witnessed Daven do everything within his power to keep pace with your lifestyle. He rises early just to ensure you have breakfast before you rush off. This isn’t a one-time occurrence; I’ve lost count of the times he sent you flowers and gifts, even when things were rocky between you.”