HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

“I’m only asking for one month, Daven. Just thirty days to be your wife—for real this time.” Her voice was gentle, yet carried an unwavering resolve.

Daven remained silent for a moment, his fingers curling around the coffee cup as he took a deliberate, slow sip. It was as if he needed the quiet to fully digest what she had just said.

“If this is truly what you want, then let me be clear about one thing,” he finally said, placing his cup down with a sharp clatter that reverberated across the table. The unexpected noise seemed to press heavily against Althea’s chest, like a warning. Still, she didn’t flinch. Perhaps, she thought, she deserved some credit for standing firm.

Daven’s eyes locked onto hers, and a faint smirk played at the corner of his mouth. If she wanted to play this game, then he would make sure it was on his terms.

“You don’t get to back out,” he declared, his tone low and firm.

Althea met his gaze without wavering. “When have I ever said I would?” she replied evenly, despite the turmoil swirling inside her. Even as Daven’s stare burned into her, she refused to step back. She wouldn’t run away—not this time.

Let the world label her desperate, pathetic, or the biggest fool alive. She didn’t care. As long as—

“Prepare yourself becau—”

His phone rang, cutting through his words like a knife.

The sharp intrusion snapped the moment in two. Of course, Daven glanced at the caller ID. In his world, a phone call wasn’t just a call—it was power, deals, money hanging in the balance.

Without another word, he stood abruptly. “I can’t drive you back home. I have something I need to handle.”

And just like that, he walked away, leaving Althea sitting there, unsure of what he had been about to say.

She caught a taxi back to the office building where her car was parked, the city lights blurring past the window. Her mind was restless, filled with unanswered questions. Without much thought, she decided to visit Lydia—maybe there was news about the house, or at least the sale. She needed something, anything, to cling to as she prepared to leave the Callister estate behind.

“I guess I really don’t stand a chance,” she muttered bitterly to herself. “Get ready, Althea. It’s time to start packing.”

***

Later, after tidying a few shelves and organizing small cabinets in the bedroom, exhaustion finally caught up with her. The soft glow of a bedside lamp illuminated neatly packed boxes filled with some of her favorite books. She had made the decision to be prepared—just in case things didn’t turn out the way she hoped.

A sudden ache in her muscles pulled her from sleep. “Ugh,” she groaned, stretching stiff limbs and wondering if she had slept in an awkward position. Her throat was dry, adding to the discomfort.

Slipping into a light robe, she moved quietly down the stairs, careful not to disturb the stillness of the house. The silence was almost eerie, broken only by the ticking of the wall clock, which sounded unusually loud in the calm.

Althea bit her lip, then reached for a glass, filling it with cold water. She drank half before glancing back at him.

“Are you hungry?”

There was no immediate answer.

“I can make you something if you don’t mind waiting.”

Still no response.

“Would it be a bother to wait?” she asked gently, not wanting to pressure him. She felt a pang of sympathy seeing him so exhausted. Maybe he had skipped dinner after rushing out this afternoon following that phone call. He must be overwhelmed.

“…Sure. Go ahead. I’ll wait.”

Althea nodded quietly, the faintest smile tugging at her lips as she turned toward the stove.

She decided on something simple—a cheese omelet with fresh parsley and toast—easy to prepare and comforting enough to soothe an empty stomach.