HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 153

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

**Chapter 153**

The midday sun hung high in the sky over Mighatan, yet an unexpected chill permeated the air, wrapping around Althea like an unwelcome shroud. The wind whistled through the cemetery, playfully tugging at her hair, forcing her to smooth it down repeatedly. But as she approached her mother’s grave, she brushed aside the coldness, the glaring sun, and the blustering wind, focusing solely on the sacred ground before her.

Standing before the modest headstone, Althea’s eyes fell upon the wilting flowers that lay scattered across the stone, their colors faded and lifeless.

“It’s been too long, hasn’t it, Mom?” she whispered, her voice quivering with emotion. She knelt down, her fingers delicately replacing the dried blooms with the fresh bouquet she had brought along, vibrant and fragrant. “Even if I can’t come to see you often, you’re always in my heart. I cling to the hope that one day, we’ll be reunited… that we’ll be together again.”

Her fingers trembled as they traced the carved name etched into the stone, a name that had once been synonymous with love and warmth. Memories long buried began to surge within her, vivid and haunting—moments when it had been just the two of them, simple yet filled with an unspoken joy. They had shared a happiness that felt almost tangible, a life devoid of extravagance but rich in love.

It wasn’t that Althea didn’t wish to visit more frequently; the distance to Mighatan was daunting, and her mind had been preoccupied with other, more pressing concerns—namely, the possibility of encountering the Callister family. The likelihood seemed slim, yet the thought lingered like a shadow at the back of her mind.

“I… I miss you so much, Mom.” The tears she had been holding back finally fell, warm and heavy against her cheeks. “I wish you were here with me, guiding me.” She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, managing a smile through her sorrow. “There’s so much I want to share with you. Especially about Josh. My son.”

A gentle breeze danced through the trees, causing the leaves to rustle softly, as if nature itself was listening to her heartfelt confessions.

“Since becoming a mother, I’ve come to treasure time more than anything else,” she continued, her voice softening. “Every single moment with my child feels like a precious gift. Just like you always said—time is everything when it’s spent with those we love. I know you loved me, Mom, just as I love my son.”

Once more, she caressed the headstone, her heart swelling with love and longing. “One day, I’ll bring him here to meet you. I’m sorry I haven’t done it yet. But I speak of you often. I have so many pictures of you that I show him. You know, he says I look just like you.” A soft laugh escaped her lips, a sound filled with bittersweet nostalgia. “I never thought anyone would say we resemble each other.”

Not far from her, Chase stood quietly, allowing her to pour out her heart without interruption. He absorbed every word, every note of longing that laced her voice. This was a side of Althea he had never witnessed before—raw, vulnerable, unguarded. Until now, she had always appeared as the strong, independent woman he admired.

“There’s someone else I’d like you to meet today, Mom.” Althea’s gaze flickered briefly toward him, a small smile gracing her lips. “His name is Chase Miller.”

Chase felt a jolt of surprise at her mention. He took a step closer, positioning himself at her side, his eyes now fixed on the headstone with a deep sense of reverence.

God, please… don’t let me fall and be hurt again. Allow me to experience what it feels like to be loved, for I will learn to love in return. Let us build a better life together—just the three of us, me, Chase, and my son. Please, God.

***

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Daven had just arrived at the same cemetery. A bouquet of pristine white flowers rested in his hands, their delicate petals a stark contrast to the heavy thoughts swirling in his mind. He walked slowly, each step echoing with memories, passing row after row of graves until he finally stopped in front of one he hadn’t visited in what felt like an eternity.

“Grandma,” he managed to say, his voice hoarse and thick with emotion, “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to come. So much has happened… and I don’t even know where to begin.”

He gazed down at the grave, a deep ache blooming in his chest for the middle-aged woman who had often meddled in his life, yet whom he had never resented. Even when her requests seemed utterly absurd, he had always complied, a testament to the love and devotion he felt for Evelyn Callister.

“Maybe…” he offered a rueful smile, “maybe you’re up there in heaven, laughing at me. The woman I defended with every ounce of my being ended up treating me like I was nothing. If she was going to betray me, couldn’t she have at least chosen someone better than me?”