HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

But then again, when had they ever truly been home? It always seemed like their lives were a constant whirlwind of shopping sprees, attending meaningless social gatherings, and throwing money around as if it were worthless.

Althea glanced at her wristwatch, whispering to herself, “I hope I’m not too late.” She still had nearly thirty minutes before her lunch break, so she steadied her breath and stepped inside with quiet assurance. Although the receptionist gave her a bit of a hard time, Althea eventually navigated her way to the executive floor, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the main office.

“I’m terribly sorry to bother you, Mr. Arven,” she said with polite formality as she finally arrived.

“Not at all,” Arven replied, clearly caught off guard. “I’m just surprised to see you, Mrs. Althea.” The receptionist had called ahead, mentioning a woman claiming to be Daven Callister’s wife was requesting to see him. No one in the office had ever introduced Althea as Daven’s wife before.

Their wedding had been an intimate affair, with only a handful of attendees—a private ceremony deliberately kept out of the public eye, with not a single post shared on social media.

Thankfully, Arven still recognized her.

“This way, please,” Arven said, motioning her toward the waiting lounge—a quiet, plush area where Daven’s clients typically gathered before meetings. “You can wait here for a moment. I’ll bring you something to drink.”

Althea hesitated. “I’d really like to see Daven now, if that’s possible.”

Arven stumbled, unsure how to respond. “Uh… well, that’s…”

Althea offered a gentle smile, as though easing his discomfort. “I understand. I’m sure he’s very busy, isn’t he? At least—”

Before she could finish, the CEO’s office door swung open.

And there he was—the very man Althea had come to find. But he wasn’t alone.

Vanessa’s bright, carefree smile instantly froze when she spotted Althea standing there. Her eyes narrowed sharply, disbelief and irritation flashing across her face. Why was this woman here? Was she trying to see Daven? Did she have no shame at all?

Althea’s gaze dropped to the ruined meal, her heart aching at the sight. She hadn’t expected this level of cruelty—not so raw and vicious. “You’ve gone too far,” she murmured, voice trembling with quiet hurt.

“Too far?” Vanessa scoffed, her tone rising with venom. “You still don’t get it, do you?”

“I think you’re the one who doesn’t understand, Vanessa.” Althea took a deliberate step forward, locking eyes with her rival. The faint smile had vanished. She stood tall, no longer shrinking back. When she was close enough, she reached out and tore Vanessa’s arm away from Daven’s.

Vanessa gasped, stunned by the boldness of the move.

“My place,” Althea said, her voice low but resolute, edged with steel, “is as Daven Callister’s wife. And you,” she added, pointing firmly at Vanessa, “are just his shameless mistress. So I suggest you remember your place.”

Without another word, Althea took Daven’s hand and pulled him away.

She didn’t care if he got angry later. Just this once—just this single moment—she needed the world to hear her say it.