HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 188

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 188**

“What time is it?” Vanessa groaned, the relentless throbbing in her head forcing her to wince. Every pulse felt like a hammer striking against her skull, sharp and unforgiving. The last coherent memory she had was of guzzling wine straight from the bottle, her mind clouded with bitter curses directed at Daven and Althea, alongside a torrent of other resentful mutterings that had spilled from her lips.

“Where’s James?” she murmured, scanning the dimly lit room for any sign of him. A flicker of hope ignited within her, but it quickly extinguished when she found only silence, the stillness of her bedroom enveloping her like a heavy blanket.

Sunlight streamed through the curtains, invading her sanctuary with a brightness that felt almost cruel. She squinted against the harsh light, her eyes fluttering open to a stinging sensation. A dull ache radiated from her bandaged hand to the ankle tightly wrapped in white gauze, a reminder of the night’s unkind events. The throbbing in her head was relentless, a constant reminder of her reckless choices. Who had taken the time to tend to her wounds? Was it one of her father’s hired nurses, or perhaps a servant? The thought barely registered; in her current state, she couldn’t muster the energy to care.

The door creaked open, and a maid entered, carefully balancing a tray laden with breakfast.

“Good morning, Miss Vanessa,” she said softly, her voice barely breaking the oppressive silence.

Vanessa shot her a glare, her eyes narrowing with disdain. Why did she have to be disturbed at such an inconvenient moment?

“How are you feeling? Your wounds have been cleaned. If you’re still in pain, we can call the doctor again,” the maid offered, her tone laced with genuine concern.

Vanessa’s expression hardened, and she replied flatly, “I’m not hungry. And I’m fine.”

“But—”

“I said I’m not hungry!” she snapped, her voice hoarse and tinged with impatience.

The maid sighed softly, her shoulders drooping slightly as she set the tray on the bedside table. “It would be better if you ate while it’s still warm, Miss Vanessa. I noticed you skipped dinner last night—”

“Where’s my father?” Vanessa interrupted, her tone cutting through the air like a knife, unwilling to indulge in any further pointless conversation.

The maid hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty before she spoke. “Mr. Theo left early this morning. He had urgent business to attend to.”

“A major contract Vanessa had signed with several international brands is reportedly being canceled in the wake of this scandal.”

Vanessa felt her heart drop into her stomach, each word hitting her like a punch. She flipped to another channel, desperate for a different story, only to find the same fate. Her face was everywhere, accompanied by headlines dripping with mockery and disdain. The realization that her agency had locked the comment sections on her official accounts yesterday was a small comfort, but it did little to shield her from the onslaught.

Every major gossip page was plastered with her image, and the comment sections overflowed with vitriol. Hatred was spewed in every direction, most of it aimed squarely at her, while Althea basked in a wave of sympathy. Even Daven—her husband, soon-to-be ex—was being praised for finally escaping her.

The most painful part? Thousands of voices clamored for Althea and Daven to reunite, their hopes echoing in the void of her despair.

“No… no… stop it!” she hissed, panic clawing at her throat, sharp and suffocating.

In a fit of rage, she snatched the remote and hurled it across the room. It struck the television with a resounding crack, the screen shuddering violently before plunging into darkness. Vanessa’s breath came in short, jagged bursts, her chest heaving with frustration and despair.

“Damn it! Why can’t anyone think about me? I didn’t do this without reason!” she shouted, her hands tangling in her already disheveled hair, frustration coursing through her like a wildfire.