HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 177

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

**Chapter 177**

Vanessa’s visage was a portrait of despair. Tears cascaded down her cheeks, glistening like jewels in the harsh lights of the press conference. Yet, instead of evoking compassion, the reporters surrounding her erupted into a cacophony of cheers, their cameras capturing each tear as if it were evidence of her inevitable downfall. The scene was almost surreal, a twisted celebration of her unraveling.

Suddenly, the live feed shifted. Vanessa’s image flickered away, replaced by the opulent lobby of a grand building, the Callister Group’s logo gleaming with an almost menacing pride in the background.

A profound silence enveloped the room, an electric anticipation hanging in the air like the calm before a storm. Every pair of eyes was glued to the screen, hearts racing at the prospect of what was about to unfold. This was no ordinary news segment; it was a moment that would echo through the tabloids for weeks, possibly even months. Vanessa’s reputation had already been shattered; the court of public opinion had rendered its harsh verdict.

And then, he emerged.

Daven Callister strode into view, tall and imposing in a tailored dark suit, flanked by a cadre of attorneys who moved with the precision of a well-oiled machine. The reporters stationed in the Callister Group lobby sprang into action, their questions erupting like a volley of gunfire.

“Mr. Callister! Is what Ms. Althea stated true?” one reporter shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.

“Was your former wife really Ms. Althea?” another pressed, desperation lacing their tone.

“What do you have to say about the allegations of your wife’s affair?” came a third question, sharp and accusatory.

“Are you filing for divorce?”

“Ms. Althea claims your current wife was the one who destroyed your marriage in the past—is that true?”

“Was your meeting with Ms. Althea in SunCity genuinely by chance, or did you intend to see her?”

Daven came to a halt, his gaze piercing directly into the camera lens. His demeanor was calm and collected, yet there was a simmering intensity in his eyes that spoke volumes. One of his aides stepped forward, handing him a microphone, the weight of expectation palpable in the air.

“I’ll only say one thing,” he began, his deep voice resonating with a gravity that silenced the room. Reporters leaned in, breaths held in anticipation.

“Everything Ms. Althea has said is true. I was just as taken aback as anyone else to discover that my ex-wife resides in SunCity. Our meeting was purely coincidental; I had no intention of seeking her out.”

Daven’s gaze sliced toward the questioner, his expression icy and unyielding. “Am I not permitted to care for an innocent child filled with joy? Besides, I have business with the school Josh attends. That should suffice as a reason.”

Across the room, Vanessa watched in horror, her eyes widening as she absorbed the implications of Daven’s words. Her body swayed slightly, as if the very foundation of her strength had been pulled away. “No… Daven… you can’t…” she whispered, her voice hoarse with disbelief, trembling like a fragile leaf in the wind.

The reporters surrounding her erupted into a frenzy, their voices crashing together like waves in a storm, each one clamoring to be heard over the others.

And then, Daven’s voice cut through the chaos once more, sharper and more resolute than before. “One more thing. To my dear wife—” he let the words slice through the tumultuous silence, “I’ll see you in court. I will not be withdrawing the divorce.”

****

How, dear readers, are Daven and Althea plotting their revenge against one another?

Is this truly the end for Vanessa? Of course not. There’s still a considerable amount of retribution I wish to exact upon her. I refuse to let Vanessa reclaim her life so easily.

Do you agree with my stance?