HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 202

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

**Chapter 202**

As the plane made its descent into SunCity, the anticipation in the air was palpable. Harold’s staff had been strategically positioned, awaiting the arrival of Daven with a professionalism that bordered on military precision. Just as Harold had assured him, his men were there to meet and accompany him to the designated location.

Daven’s keen gaze swept over the group, each detail etched into his mind with surgical precision. He understood the importance of not underestimating Harold’s associates; this reception felt less like a warm welcome and more like a calculated display of control. The tension in the air was unmistakable.

Despite the unease that threatened to seep into his demeanor, Daven had come prepared. He cloaked his apprehension beneath an air of casual confidence, projecting an enthusiasm for the impending meeting that he did not genuinely feel. SunCity itself, with its vibrant yet oppressive atmosphere, seemed to amplify his internal disquiet.

As he walked through the bustling airport, Daven felt the weight of countless eyes upon him. Strangers turned to stare, their whispers trailing behind him like shadows, their gazes lingering just a heartbeat too long. His face had become a familiar sight, splashed across news headlines, dragged into the unforgiving spotlight of public scrutiny due to his personal battles.

Yet, he refused to let the scrutiny affect him. He maintained his composure, shoulders squared, chin lifted, embodying the calm that had become his trademark.

“This way, Mr. Daven,” one of Harold’s staff members said with a polite nod, gesturing towards the exit.

Outside, a sleek black car awaited, its polished surface gleaming under the bright SunCity sun. Daven slid into the plush back seat, Arsen following closely behind, while Andy took his place in the front. During his stay in SunCity, he had no intention of dealing with the hassle of driving himself; after all, he owned an apartment here, complete with a car reserved solely for his convenience.

The vehicle glided smoothly away from the airport, and Daven leaned back against the leather seat, attempting to relax. However, the silence that enveloped him and Arsen was thick with unspoken tension. Arsen sat beside him, his expression a mask of inscrutability, though Daven could sense the undercurrents of worry swirling within his companion’s mind. Up front, Andy occasionally glanced in the rearview mirror, his vigilance a testament to the unease that permeated the air.

Just a few minutes into their journey, Daven’s phone vibrated against his thigh, the screen lighting up with Harold’s name.

“Yes, Mr. Harold,” Daven replied, his voice flat, a thin veneer of professionalism barely concealing his apprehension. He could only hope his instincts were leading him astray.

“Mr. Daven, there’s been a slight change of plans,” Harold’s voice chimed through the speaker, smooth and disarming. “I believe meeting at City Hall might feel a bit too… formal. How about we rendezvous in a private lounge instead? Much more comfortable, with a relaxed atmosphere. Rest assured, it will be perfectly safe.”

Daven’s brows knit together, his gaze sharpening as he stared out the window, watching the familiar scenery of the airport fade into the distance. The car was veering north, away from their intended destination. A dirty move, Harold, he thought darkly, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.

Daven inhaled deeply, contemplating the weight of his next words. “No. I’ll handle it myself.”

He picked up his phone, staring at the screen as if it held the answers to his turmoil. His fingers hovered over the keys, hesitating before finally typing out a message.

-Althea, I’m already in SunCity. May I visit kindergarten to see Josh? Just for a moment. I promise I won’t disrupt his routine.

With a swift tap, the message was sent, and Daven felt his heart race, pounding harder than it had in weeks. Amid the chaos of business battles and the tumult of divorce, there was only one anchor he needed to cling to—his role as a father to his son.

Arsen glanced at him, uncertainty etched across his face. “Are you sure that’s the right move, Mr. Daven?”

He hadn’t intended to create a rift between Daven and Josh. But with the media still ablaze with sensational stories about Daven, Vanessa, and Althea, was it not reckless for Daven to seek out his son amidst such turmoil?

“Josh is my son,” Daven replied softly, almost as if sharing a secret. “I can’t keep waiting for the storm to pass before I see him.”