HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 167

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

**Chapter 167**

Cale stood up, his posture straight and unyielding, his expression a mask of neutrality that belied the intensity in his gaze—sharp and glimmering like shards of glass. “I had someone look into it,” he said, his voice steady as he raised his phone slightly, a signal that news had arrived from a reliable source. “And they’ve just returned with their findings.”

“They didn’t just show up because of the news. They were compensated to harass you, Miss Grayson,” he continued, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

Josh’s round eyes darted to his mother, confusion etched across his small face. “Mommy… who would want to bother you?” His innocent question hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the child’s naivety amidst the storm brewing around them.

In that moment, they seemed to forget the little boy was still present, absorbing the tension that filled the room. Sensing the heaviness, Chris quickly intervened, crouching down to meet Josh’s gaze.

“Hey, Champ. Don’t you want to see Leo? I bet he’s been missing you like crazy,” Chris said, his voice warm and inviting.

“But isn’t Leo scary?” Josh shivered, scrunching his face in a way that was both adorable and comical. “I’d rather see Nyu,” he declared, his loyalty to his beloved pet evident.

“Okay then! We’ll go see Nyu. But first, how about we swing by the kitchen? Maybe we can find some delicious veggies to take along for Nyu?” Chris suggested, his enthusiasm infectious.

“Okay!” Josh exclaimed, his earlier worries dissipating like morning fog, excitement bubbling back into his voice as he hopped to his feet.

As Chris led him out, the adults were left in a tense silence, the focus shifting back to the gravity of Cale’s revelation.

Chase’s brow furrowed, his gaze narrowing on his brother. “Cale, are you absolutely certain about this?”

Cale nodded with conviction, his expression resolute. “Yes. However, I’m still unable to determine who exactly gave the order. What I do know is that it has to be someone with significant wealth and influence.”

A heavy silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the steady ticking of the wall clock, each tick amplifying the tension. Suddenly, a low, commanding voice sliced through the stillness.

“There’s no need to speculate any further.”

All heads turned toward the doorway, where Daniel Miller, the patriarch of the family, stood with an air of quiet authority that seemed to shrink the very space around him.

“Papa,” Chase greeted, rising immediately out of respect, his demeanor shifting in the presence of their father.

Daniel stepped into the room, his gaze sweeping over each of them before settling on Althea. “I’ve taken care of the reporters, Althea. They won’t be returning to the school or bothering you—at least not for the time being.”

Althea lowered her head, gratitude washing over her. “Thank you, Mr. Miller. I… I truly don’t know what I would have done without all of you,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Daniel’s eyes held hers, unwavering and intense. “You don’t need to express gratitude. What you must comprehend is that there’s someone orchestrating all of this from behind the scenes.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “A mastermind?” she echoed, her heart racing at the thought.

He nodded once, his voice firm and unyielding. “Vanessa Blake.”

Althea’s eyes widened in shock, mirroring Chase’s astonishment, while even Cale looked at their father as if he had crossed a line.

“Vanessa Blake? The renowned model?” Cale asked incredulously, disbelief coloring his tone.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Daniel confirmed, his expression grave.

“But why would Vanessa do something like this?” Cale pressed, still struggling to grasp the implications.

“Vanessa…” Althea’s voice trembled as her heart began to race, a wave of dread washing over her.

“No, Mr. Miller. I don’t mind shedding light on the past I’ve fought so hard to erase.” Her heart raced as she paused, gathering her thoughts, then with a trembling voice, she forced the words out.

“I was… Daven Callister’s wife. Before he married Vanessa.”

The confession hung in the air, heavy and palpable. The silence that followed felt suffocating, thick enough that even the ticking of the wall clock sounded like a drumbeat of tension.

Chase, sitting beside her, reached out and enveloped her hand in his, his grip steady and reassuring. “I already knew,” he said, his voice low and unwavering. “Althea confided in me long before any of this transpired. To me… that’s merely the past. I would never allow it to define who you are today.”

Althea turned to him, her eyes welling with tears, her lips quivering with emotion. “Thank you.”

Chase offered her a faint but resolute smile. “You are my choice, Althea. Not because of who you were, but because of who you are now.”

The silence lingered, but this time it was born from the stunned expressions of Cale and Daniel Miller, both grappling with the weight of her revelation. Shock was evident on their faces as they processed the implications of her words.

Finally, Daniel spoke, his voice deep and commanding. “So… what I can deduce from all the rumors and headlines is nothing more than a calculated attempt to disgrace you, Althea. No—more specifically, to disgrace Daven. Chase has already informed me of the outline—that Daven and Vanessa’s marriage has been troubled, and it appears to be quite complicated.”

No one dared to speak.

“Vanessa Blake wants to tarnish your reputation in public. Especially…” Daniel’s eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening with intensity. “… since Daven came to SunCity and fortuitously crossed paths with you—and Josh.”

Althea bit her lower lip, a wave of anxiety tightening her chest painfully.

Cale interjected, his tone cold and his words sharp as daggers. “There’s one question I need to ask, Althea. Does Vanessa know you have a child?”

The question struck like a bolt of lightning, leaving Althea frozen in place, her eyes widening in shock, her lips parched. “I… I don’t know, Cale. Truly, I don’t. I’ve never once showcased Josh in public. My world is small, private… so how could Vanessa possibly know?”