HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 172

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 172**

“Are you prepared?” Theo inquired, a self-satisfied smirk gracing his lips, as if he already held the trophy of victory in his grasp. Since the break of dawn, he had made himself at home in his daughter’s apartment, determined to shield her from any photographs that might depict Vanessa appearing too “intimate” with her assistant. His mission was clear: to sculpt the perfect narrative—one where Vanessa emerged as the victim of Daven’s egotism. He would ensnare his son-in-law, wield every tool at his disposal, and force Daven to submit.

That was the strategy.

Today marked the pinnacle of their carefully laid plans: Vanessa’s press conference, where she would confront the tempest of rumors swirling around Daven. Whispers of his supposed affair with a woman residing in SunCity, murmurs of clandestine meetings with a child rumored to belong to that woman—the gossip had ignited like wildfire. The public was consumed by tales of Daven’s treachery, while Vanessa found herself the recipient of an outpouring of sympathy. Yet, the woman ensnared in this scandal became the convenient scapegoat, enduring harsh words and insults from strangers who knew nothing of her truth.

Theo reveled in his success. He had orchestrated every detail with precision, confident that public outrage would crush Daven beneath its weight. The endgame was straightforward: Vanessa would reunite with Daven, the divorce papers would be retracted, and Theo would tighten his grip on the man who dared to defy him.

Perfect, wasn’t it?

“I’m ready, Dad,” Vanessa declared, her smile radiant and genuine. She had meticulously chosen a natural makeup palette, one that accentuated her sorrow rather than her beauty. Her face bore the subtle artistry of a woman wronged, showcasing the pain inflicted by her husband’s callousness.

Theo’s lips curled into a satisfied grin, pride sparkling in his eyes. “We will ensure Daven never forgets this day for as long as he lives.”

Vanessa nodded, her certainty unwavering. At least now, the fear of Daven abandoning her had dissipated. By nightfall, she was convinced he would return, crawling back to her, pleading for forgiveness. Their bond would be “restored,” and she would graciously allow herself to be seen at his side once again—ensuring the media captured every moment of their fabricated reconciliation, transforming their “love story” into a grand spectacle of forgiveness.

And what of her own missteps with Daven? They would fade away, as if they had never existed.

She believed it wholeheartedly.

Before long, they arrived at the venue Theo had meticulously chosen for the press conference. Reporters thronged the entrance—some hired by Theo himself, others hungry for an exclusive scoop.

As soon as Vanessa stepped into the hall, camera flashes erupted like fireworks, blinding her momentarily. Her simple white dress, paired with her understated, natural look, painted her as the quintessential image of a wounded spouse. She had even applied a touch more shadow beneath her eyes, crafting the illusion of sleepless nights spent mourning her husband’s betrayal.

A delicate, sorrow-laden smile graced her lips each time a reporter called her name.

“Miss Vanessa! Miss Vanessa! Is it true that Daven had an affair during his time in SunCity?”

“How do you feel after those photos surfaced?”

A male reporter raised his hand quickly. “Is it true, Miss Vanessa, that Mr. Daven was seen getting close to a young boy in SunCity?”

Vanessa inhaled deeply, her breath shaky. “I don’t know what truly transpired there. All I have are the reports I’ve seen in the news. But even that alone was enough to wound me deeply. How could he…?” She covered her face with both hands, her shoulders trembling, an image of a woman on the brink of collapse—drawing sympathy from every corner of the room.

Some reporters murmured softly, and a few women exchanged pitying glances, visibly moved by the sight of Vanessa’s vulnerability.

“Vanessa, what’s your comment regarding Althea? Many people are labeling her as the third party in this affair.”

“Did you know her before all this happened?”

Vanessa lowered her gaze to the microphone before her, then slowly shook her head. When she finally raised her eyes to meet the cameras trained on her, they shimmered with a mournful light, as if the weight of her anguish was almost unbearable.

“I don’t know her,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “But… I believe everyone has their reasons for what they do. Perhaps she never intended to get involved. Yet in the end, the one who has been hurt in all of this is me. I am Daven’s legal wife.”