HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 132

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 132**

The air within the Callister Group that morning held a familiar serenity, yet there was an undercurrent of activity that thrummed like a heartbeat. Daven strode in, his charcoal-gray suit clinging to him like a second skin, every step exuding a quiet confidence. Employees he passed offered him respectful nods, fully aware that their boss preferred silence over idle chatter. He acknowledged them with a curt nod, his greeting as brief as it was polite.

Despite the time he had spent away from this building, everything felt unchanged. As Daven approached his office, he spotted Arsen waiting at the door, a work tablet clutched in his hands like a lifeline.

“Good morning, Mr. Daven,” Arsen greeted, a restrained smile playing on his lips. “Your coffee is on the desk. I trust it meets your expectations.”

“Has my taste in coffee changed that rapidly?” Daven muttered, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice. “That ‘good morning’ held too many questions, Arsen. Just so we’re clear—I’m fine.”

Arsen suppressed a smirk, well aware of the emotional fortress Daven had built around himself. He had been deliberately refraining from asking how Daven felt after the events of the previous night, but it was clear that Daven was a master at masking his emotions.

“What’s on my agenda today?” Daven inquired, his tone brisk.

“No external meetings scheduled,” Arsen replied smoothly, maintaining his professional demeanor. “You requested to clear your calendar so you could focus on something important.”

“Ah, right.” Daven paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts as he moved toward his chair. “So… what significant updates do you have for me?”

Arsen’s expression brightened. “There are a few developments I believe you’ll find encouraging. The Osaka team has wrapped up the final phase of the structural layout. In approximately two weeks, the site will be ready for your visit. I’ve arranged it around your schedule—they’re quite eager to host you.”

Daven nodded once, his expression neutral. “And what about Frankfurt?”

“Operations have resumed smoothly. The phase-two expansion permits are already being processed. I’d suggest planning a visit within the next two months. However, if you prefer to go sooner, I can facilitate that as well.”

“I’ll consider it,” Daven replied curtly, removing his blazer and hanging it on a nearby stand with deliberate care. “Proceed.”

They delved into various reports, including discussions with division heads involved in multiple ongoing projects. The conversations occasionally escalated in intensity, keeping Arsen busy jotting down detailed notes.

Until…

“Um, Mr. Daven,” Arsen interjected, halting the ongoing dialogue between Daven and the head of finance.

“What is it?” Daven asked, a flicker of irritation crossing his features. Yet, he knew that Arsen would only interrupt if it was truly important.

“Miss Vanessa has arrived.”

Daven fell silent for a moment, processing the information before responding, “Let’s postpone this meeting until lunch. As I instructed, I want all matters requiring clarification or revisions resolved by that time.”

“Yes, Mr. Daven,” they replied in unison, quickly exiting the room. Everyone was acutely aware of who the visitor was—Daven’s wife.

Moments later, Vanessa entered the office, and as always, she was a vision of elegance. Graceful and beautiful, she commanded attention effortlessly. Yet today, there was a subtle pallor to her complexion that did not go unnoticed.

Still, Daven remained silent.

“I wanted you to be there for me, Daven. But you were perpetually buried in work. And perhaps… perhaps having James around made it all too easy to slip.”

When she finally met his gaze, Daven’s expression was unchanged—blank, unmoved, as if her words had barely penetrated his consciousness.

“You… you’re not listening to me?”

“If I were not listening, I would have asked you to leave my office the moment you stepped inside.”

Vanessa’s lips curled in frustration. “You never inquire about my well-being anymore. Not like you used to. You were once so thoughtful… so caring. Do you have any idea what it’s like to live in a cold house, constantly under scrutiny, devoid of love?” Tears began to glisten in her eyes, her shoulders trembling as she fought to maintain her composure.

“But I tried to understand,” she continued, her voice cracking. “I made an effort to be patient with your relentless schedule. But do you know what hurts most of all? Realizing… I was never your priority. Not even after everything I’ve done to protect our image.”

“And that is your justification for being unfaithful with your assistant?” Daven asked quietly, yet his words sliced through the air like a knife. “All I hear are the excuses you’ve crafted to rationalize your actions, Vanessa.”

“That’s not how it happened,” she retorted, her voice rising in indignation. “I never wanted this. I felt trapped!”

“If you truly did it out of desperation… seeking comfort for your loneliness because I was always away working…” Daven’s smile was faint, hollow, devoid of warmth. “Then you would have done it just once, Vanessa. But you? You repeated it time and again. Tell me, is that what you call being forced?”