HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 198

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

**Chapter 198**

Daven nodded slowly, feeling the weight of anticipation settle over him like a heavy cloak. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. The chance to unravel the tangled threads of the storm that had loomed over the past few weeks. He stepped into the family room behind Kate, the familiar space enveloping him in a sense of nostalgia. The plush sofas and the soft glow of the lamps created an inviting atmosphere, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling in his mind.

Mira entered gracefully, balancing a tray laden with steaming cups of jasmine tea and a small jar filled with golden, crisp butter cookies. The floral notes of the tea wafted through the air, wrapping around them like a comforting embrace, momentarily easing the tension that had settled between mother and son.

Kate took charge, pouring the tea into delicate porcelain cups, her hands steady and practiced. She handed one cup to Daven with a gentle smile. “Drink this. Jason sent it to me. He believes this blend is the ultimate remedy for fatigue.”

Daven lifted the cup to his lips, inhaling deeply. The soothing aroma filled his senses, and he took a small sip. The warmth spread through him, melting away some of his worries. “Ah, it’s been far too long since I last heard from him,” he replied, appreciating the moment of solace. “Jason was right. This… this is just what I needed for these weary days.”

Kate chuckled softly, a sound that held a mixture of warmth and concern. After a brief moment of silence, she set her cup down with deliberate care, her gaze locking onto Daven’s with an intensity that made him uneasy. “Daven, I’m fully aware that these past few weeks have been anything but easy for you. The news of your divorce from Vanessa, the chaos she has stirred up, the truths she has dragged into the light… I understand your reasons for wanting to end it.”

Daven’s heart tightened at her words, his eyes flickering as he absorbed the weight of her concern. Across from him, his mother—the person he loved most in the world—looked weary, her face etched with the sorrow of a parent witnessing their child’s pain. He could only imagine how she must have felt, watching her proud son’s marriage unravel so publicly and humiliatingly.

“Everyone’s talking about it—even the staff here,” Kate continued, her voice tinged with a wry humor that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “But don’t you worry. We’re all here for you. Whatever decisions you make, after what Vanessa has done, no one could possibly blame you.”

Taking a deep breath, Daven felt the heaviness in his chest return. “That’s precisely why I was so resolute about the divorce. I feel as though… it’s the only way forward. I can’t let my life be dictated by endless drama any longer.”

Kate’s smile turned bittersweet, her eyes shimmering with empathy. “I won’t pry for details. You’re an adult, and you know what’s best for yourself. But I must ask—please, don’t lose yourself in all of this. You’ve carried far too much for far too long, Daven.”

“It’s about Althea.”

The mention of Althea sent a jolt of apprehension through Daven. He had feared this moment, and he could only hope that she wouldn’t delve into the depths of a subject he was desperate to avoid. Forcing a calm facade, he replied evenly, “What about Althea?”

“There’s news that left me utterly stunned. And if it’s true… are you planning to keep it from me as well?”

Daven’s brow furrowed, his insides churning with anxiety. He could feel the weight of her words pressing down on him, his instincts screaming that this conversation was headed into dangerous territory.

“Is it true that Althea’s child—what’s his name again? Jack? Jemmy? Josh?” Kate shifted in her seat, her expression sharp and focused. “Is it true he’s yours?”