HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 147

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 147**

Chase emerged from the restaurant, his long strides echoing urgency as he made his way toward the car he had parked in the dimly lit basement. The weight of his phone pressed against his ear, his voice steady yet low, as he tried to soothe Althea’s rising panic. He could feel her distress, a mirror to his own turmoil, both grappling with the shock of the news that had just shattered their evening.

The revelation about Lydia had hit him like a sudden storm, leaving him reeling. He had known Lydia for years; she had spent countless afternoons with Althea and Josh, always a quiet yet steadfast ally in his pursuit of Althea’s heart. The sincerity Lydia exuded had earned her a special place in his esteem, and the thought of anything detrimental befalling her gnawed at him, creating a heavy ache in his chest that he couldn’t shake off.

In mere moments, his sleek black car surged out of the building’s driveway, tires screeching slightly against the pavement. Chase gripped the steering wheel tightly, forcing himself to concentrate, even as every fiber of his being screamed for him to race to the school where Althea was anxiously waiting. The sound of her soft sobs over the line pierced through him, breaking his heart into a thousand pieces.

“Just hang in there, sweetheart. We’ll be with Lydia in no time, I promise,” he murmured, trying to infuse his words with a sense of calm he didn’t quite feel.

A few minutes later, he pulled up outside the school, his heart racing as he spotted Althea standing by the gate. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with fear, and she clutched her phone as if it were a lifeline. The moment she caught sight of him, she bolted forward, her voice trembling with urgency.

“Chase!” she gasped, her breath hitching. “The hospital just called me again. Lydia… her condition is serious. The accident left her unconscious and—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Chase enveloped her in his arms, instinctively running his hand down her back in soothing strokes. He could feel her sobs deepen against his chest, the weight of her fear pressing against him.

“You’re safe with me now. Just breathe. We’re going to get through this together. I believe in Lydia’s strength, and I know she’s fighting,” he reassured her, his voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within him.

Althea lowered her gaze, her breath still shaky as she struggled to regain her composure. “What about Josh?” she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Chase gently wiped away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. “Don’t worry about that right now.” He quickly pulled out his phone again, dialing Chris’s number with a sense of urgency.

“Chris, I need you to pick Josh up from school. Bring him home and make sure he’s comfortable. Let Mom and Dad know what’s happening. I need to get to Mighatan immediately—Althea’s colleague was in an accident,” he instructed, his tone clipped but clear.

“Got it,” Chris replied without a moment’s hesitation. “You two be careful on the road.”

“Please look after Josh while we’re away. His books are at home, but if that’s inconvenient, you can coordinate with Miss Spencer,” Chase added, trying to keep his thoughts organized.

“Don’t worry,” Chris chuckled lightly. “You can count on me. Besides, Cale’s here—we can disrupt his boring life a little.”

Despite the heavy atmosphere, a small laugh escaped Chase’s lips. “Do whatever you want, just make sure Josh doesn’t feel lonely.”

“Relax. There’s no way we’d let your kid feel lonely. What are uncles for if not to make sure he plays and has fun?” Chris replied, his voice filled with warmth.

“Thank you,” Chase said, relief washing over him.

As Chris ended the call, he turned to find Daven watching him, curiosity glimmering in his eyes.

“I think our meeting ends here,” Chris said, standing up. “I need to pick up Chase’s kid. It’s been good finding common ground with you, Mr. Daven.”

If Daven’s instincts were correct, the child in question was indeed Josh. Could this be his opportunity?

“I feel the same, Mr. Chris. But… may I offer my assistance?” Daven inquired, his tone earnest.

Chris frowned slightly. “Help with what?”

“How have you been?” Daven asked, his voice soft.

“Me? Umm… I’ve been fine, Mr. Handsome. What about you?” Josh replied, his innocence shining through.

Watching this exchange, Chris felt a prickling unease. Were they merely acquaintances? Or was there more beneath the surface? The resemblance was hard to ignore, and Chris wasn’t one to misinterpret something so significant.

“You two know each other?” Chris asked, his brows lifting in surprise. “Josh, do you know this man?”

“Of course!” Josh beamed, his smile bright and unguarded. “Oh, but… why is Uncle Chris picking me up? Where’s Uncle Chase and Mommy? They promised to take me out for hamburgers after school.”

Josh loosened his hold on Daven and shuffled closer to Chris, peering up at him with wide, curious eyes.

“They had something very important to take care of,” Chris explained, ruffling the boy’s hair affectionately. “But you can have hamburgers with me instead. We can even get lots of ice cream. Sound good?”

Josh paused, contemplating the offer… then glanced back at Daven. “Can Mr. Handsome come too?”

Daven blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the request. Chris mirrored his astonishment.

“Oh-right,” Josh muttered, ducking his head shyly. “I’m not supposed to talk to strangers. Mommy said Mr. Handsome is a stranger.”

“Your mom’s right,” Daven replied with a faint smile, his heart warming at the boy’s honesty. “I am a stranger.”