HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 195

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

**Chapter 195**

In a far corner of SunCity, away from the clamor and chaos that gripped the bustling downtown, a small, dimly lit room sat in an unsettling silence. It had the appearance of abandonment, yet a solitary figure occupied the space—a woman who, until recently, had been perpetually engaged in a whirlwind of activities.

But that was not the case today. The thought of even stepping out for a simple errand to the corner store was enough to send her into a spiral of anxiety, with reporters ready to pounce at the slightest sight of her in public.

“Damn it! When will this nightmare come to an end?” Vanessa exclaimed, her voice laced with frustration as she paced back and forth, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. Each headline that graced the tabloids painted her as the villain, the antagonist in a story that felt all too surreal. Social media was a relentless torrent of insults, harsh criticisms, and unyielding judgment that weighed heavily on her. She felt utterly drained, as though she were suffocating beneath the unending barrage of negativity.

In a moment of desperation, she snatched the remote control from the coffee table and flicked on the television, hoping for a distraction. Yet, in hindsight, it was a grave mistake.

As the screen flickered to life, the very first image that greeted her was a live broadcast from TnC Group. Vanessa froze, her heart racing and her eyes widening in disbelief.

Her lipstick had long since faded, her hair was a chaotic mess, and her body felt heavy, weighed down by a night spent spiraling in anger and despair. But in that moment, none of it seemed to matter.

“No… this can’t be happening…” Her voice cracked, raw and hoarse. “She filed a countersuit. Althea—you dare to do this to me?”

A guttural sound of frustration escaped her lips as she ran her fingers through her tangled hair, yanking at the strands in a fit of rage. In a whirlwind of emotion, she turned her fury on the room around her, hurling objects in a tempest of destruction. The carefully curated order of her apartment devolved into chaos as she smashed whatever was within reach, her heart racing with a mix of anger and despair.

Yet, she was not truly alone in her turmoil. Two household staff members, assigned to her by Theo Blake himself, observed from a safe distance in the corner of the room. Their presence was a reminder of the delicate balance they were all trying to maintain. If she broke a few things, that was manageable—those items could be replaced. But if she turned her wrath upon herself, Theo understood that the resulting scandal would spiral into something far uglier, a mess that would be impossible to contain.

Both women shifted uneasily, their expressions betraying their discomfort. Vanessa’s temper had become dangerously unpredictable, her moods swinging like a tempest. This morning had been eerily calm—too calm. There had been no screams or curses, which was why this sudden explosion of rage sent them rushing to contact Theo.

“Give her your phone. I need to speak with Vanessa,” Theo’s voice barked through the line, his tone leaving no room for dissent.

“Yes, sir,” one of the maids whispered, her heart racing as she approached cautiously, phone in hand. The thought of Vanessa lashing out at her sent a shiver down her spine.

“Miss Vanessa,” she ventured, her voice tentative and trembling, “Mr. Theo wishes to speak with you.”

Vanessa’s head snapped around, her glare sharp enough to cut through glass. “My father?” she demanded, her tone dripping with disbelief.

“Yes, Miss Vanessa,” the maid confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her breathing came in sharp bursts as she pressed her hands over her face, feeling the weight of despair. “But with her appearance today, everyone will believe her. They’ll all take her side. Even Daven—”

“You think I’ll allow that? No. You just hold your ground. I’ll handle the rest.”

Vanessa exhaled shakily, a sense of resignation washing over her. “I want the best lawyer, Daddy. I want that woman’s lawsuit crushed.”

“If this case can be won, then you’ll do exactly as I say, Vanessa.” Theo’s voice was firm, carrying the weight of command rather than suggestion. “Every move you make goes through me. Because of your mess, I’ve already taken on more losses than I should have.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Her voice faltered, reluctant yet resigned. Deep down, she knew he was right. She had dragged him into too much trouble already. “I’m sorry.”

“If your apology could fix this, I’d take it. But it can’t. So keep it to yourself.” His tone turned colder, almost dismissive. “I don’t need words. They’re useless. What’s done is done, and it’s dragged me in too deep.”

Vanessa fell silent, her throat tight with unspoken emotions.

“This effort I’m making—this is the last,” Theo said at last, his words measured and final. “If it fails, I won’t step in again. You’ll face the consequences alone. Do you understand?”