HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 133

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

**Chapter 133**

“No!” Vanessa interjected, her voice rising with urgency. “You’ve completely misunderstood, Daven.”

She hurried towards him, her heart pounding as she sought to bridge the growing chasm between them. The warmth of his embrace had always been her refuge; it was what she craved now more than ever. In the past, when she had acted sweetly, perhaps shed a few tears, Daven would relent, his anger melting away like ice in the sun.

Vanessa held onto the hope that he would forgive her this time too.

But this time felt different.

“Stay right there, Vanessa. Don’t come any closer.”

His command sliced through the air, freezing her in place. She felt as if she had been struck by lightning, the chill of his tone leaving her breathless. “B-but, Daven—”

“Do you have anything else to say?”

“Why are you being like this?” she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions. “I’ve been trying to explain. This wasn’t my fault.”

“I haven’t heard a single explanation,” he retorted sharply, cutting her off with a wave of his hand. “All I’ve heard are excuses. Justifications for what you did. Not once did I hear you express regret for doing this behind my back.”

He thrust a finger toward his own chest, the gesture a painful reminder of their shattered trust. “It feels as if I’m the one who betrayed you, not the other way around. As if I’m somehow responsible for your affair. When in reality, you were the one who tore us apart.”

Daven let out a bitter laugh, a sound devoid of humor. “You really are something else, Vanessa.”

“You played a part in this too!” she shot back, her voice rising with indignation. “You kept ignoring me. I was exhausted, Daven! I was filled with anger and loneliness, and James… he was there when you weren’t.”

“And you thought that made it acceptable?” Daven’s voice dropped to a low, almost menacing whisper, but the intensity behind it was sharper than any shout. “Or was it simply a way to soothe your bruised ego?”

Vanessa’s breath caught in her throat, her fists clenched tightly at her sides, her jaw set in defiance.

“Did it ever occur to you that I could have done the same?” he asked, a mocking smile playing on his lips. “Do you have any idea how many women have tried to seduce me? I could have easily brought someone else into our bed. I could have whispered sweet nothings to another while you were off chasing your dreams.”

“You—!”

“Listen to me!” Daven’s voice thundered, shaking the very air around them. “I could have done all of that, Vanessa. I had every opportunity. And you know what?” He inhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling with the weight of his emotions. “I never did. From the moment we exchanged vows, I’ve never touched another woman. Not once. Even now, you are the only one I’ve ever shared my bed with. You. My wife. No one else.”

A heavy silence enveloped them, thick and suffocating.

Daven ran a hand over his face, frustration evident in every movement. “Have you ever stopped to consider how much I’ve endured because of you?”

His eyes locked onto hers, unwavering. “But what did you do? You pushed back. Time and time again. With excuse after excuse. I thought maybe you were just overly passionate about your work. But now? Now it all makes sense. Your affair… it explains everything. That’s why you fought so hard to stay out there.”

“You weren’t chasing your career, Vanessa. You were chasing him. Your lover.” Daven’s voice turned icy. “I don’t want to hear any more excuses. I’ve heard enough. To me, cheating is cheating. And it’s unforgivable.”

The weight of his words hung in the air like an unshakable cloud. No one spoke after that. Daven figured he might as well step outside for some fresh air after what felt like an utterly fruitless conversation. For a fleeting moment, he wondered if there was even a hint of regret in Vanessa’s words. But deep down, he knew there wasn’t.

“Are you really going to divorce me?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Do you honestly believe I could still look at you the same way after everything?” Daven’s gaze bore into her, unyielding. “You’re the one who chose this path, Vanessa. Not me.”

Vanessa lowered her head, the weight of his words crushing her spirit. For the first time since entering the room, she found herself at a loss for words. Tears continued to cascade down her cheeks, her nose red and raw, but none of it ignited even a flicker of sympathy in Daven’s heart.

“If there’s nothing else,” Daven said, rising from his seat, “I have a meeting at eleven.”

Vanessa’s gaze flickered back to him. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Daven paused mid-step, glancing over his shoulder. For a brief moment, it seemed as though he might say something—anything—but then he stopped himself. With a heavy heart, he walked out.

“I’m not done talking, Daven!” Vanessa shouted after him, desperation lacing her words. “If you dare leave me, I swear I won’t hesitate to go through with this!”