HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 215

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 215**

As the sleek car glided to a halt outside the restaurant, Arsen turned to Daven with a hint of pride in his voice. “We’ve arrived, Mr. Daven.” The location was a charming establishment nestled not far from the bustling city center, its warm and inviting interior promising a cozy escape from the outside world. What Daven didn’t realize was that Arsen had gone the extra mile to reserve the entire restaurant, just for the two of them—a gesture that spoke volumes about their growing bond.

Daven was the first to exit the vehicle, stepping out with purpose. He glanced back at Josh, who was still settling in, and instinctively reached out to offer his hand. The simple act felt intimate, a connection that made Daven’s heart race slightly. When he caught Arsen’s eye, his assistant offered a reassuring nod, confirming that they were indeed safe here. No prying reporters would be lurking, ready to weave yet another scandalous tale linking him to Vanessa and the mess she had left behind. Arsen had ensured a bubble of security around them, and Daven was grateful for it. He couldn’t afford any slip-ups, especially not with the delicate relationship he was nurturing with Josh.

Josh’s eyes widened in astonishment as he stepped out of the car. “Whoa! We’re eating here, Mr. Handsome?” His voice was filled with genuine awe, a sparkle of excitement lighting up his features.

Daven couldn’t help but chuckle at Josh’s enthusiasm. “Have you been here before?” he asked, genuinely curious.

Josh shook his head vigorously, his expression animated. “No, but Uncle Chris said he’d bring me one weekend. He mentioned that the pizza here is legendary!”

A soft smile crept onto Daven’s lips at the thought of Josh’s excitement. “Well, do you mind having lunch here with me instead?” he asked playfully.

“Of course not!” Josh exclaimed, his face beaming with joy. But then, a slight frown crossed his features as he glanced around the spacious room. “But… why does it feel so empty? Oh! I guess we’re lucky—we don’t even have to wait in line!”

Daven stifled a laugh, appreciating the boy’s perspective. “Yes, let’s just chalk it up to luck,” he replied, enjoying the moment.

A friendly waiter approached them, greeting them with a warm smile and leading them to a reserved table nestled in a cozy corner. As they settled in, Josh’s jaw dropped at the sight before him.

“All of this… for us?” he asked, incredulous.

“Absolutely,” Daven replied, sliding a plate toward him. “Feel free to take whatever you fancy.”

Without hesitation, Josh eagerly selected a plate of pasta and took a generous bite. His eyes lit up with delight. “Mmm, this is delicious! You have to try it, Mr. Handsome!” He held out a forkful, his excitement infectious.

Daven hesitated for just a moment, then leaned forward to take the offered bite. “You’re right. It’s quite good,” he admitted, savoring the flavor.

Josh giggled, his laughter bright and carefree. “Then next time, I’ll be the one picking the restaurant for you!”

“Really?” Daven asked, intrigued by the idea.

Josh nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling. “Uh-huh! I’ll ask Uncle Chris to help me find a place you might like. Oh, but Mr. Daven, what’s your favorite dish?”

“Carrot soup,” Daven replied without a moment’s hesitation, the answer coming from a place deep within him.

For a moment, Josh’s radiant smile dimmed, replaced by a flicker of sadness. “Didn’t I tell you already, Mr. Handsome? My dad’s in heaven. Sometimes I wonder what he looked like, how he spoke, if he was fun like you and Uncle Chase. If he could play soccer or basketball in a cool way. What he liked, what kind of job he had.” Josh’s lips curled into a wistful smile. “But the truth is… I don’t know any of that.”

Those words struck Daven like a knife, twisting painfully in his chest. He fought to maintain his composure, battling the emotions that threatened to spill over. The truth was a heavy burden, one he knew he had to keep hidden until the right moment.

“But I hope my dad was like you, Mr. Handsome,” Josh said, popping another forkful of pasta into his mouth. “Why don’t you eat yours? Mommy says pasta isn’t as good once it gets cold.”

“You’re right,” Daven replied, swallowing hard as he forced a steady smile, even as his heart swelled with emotions he couldn’t fully articulate. Josh’s innocent words filled him with a joy that was both exhilarating and terrifying.

“Can I ask,” Daven ventured cautiously, “why do you wish I were your father, Josh?”

Josh paused, his small hand resting thoughtfully on his fork as he studied the man sitting across from him. Their eyes locked, and in that moment, an unspoken connection hung in the air between them. Perhaps it had been there since their very first encounter—an admiration that Josh couldn’t quite disguise. Deep down, he wished for Daven to be his father, even if he understood the impossibility of that dream.

Josh adored Chase, seeing him as the closest thing to a father he could ever have. If his mother and Chase were to marry one day, wouldn’t that make Chase his father in every sense? That dream of having a dad would finally come to fruition.

But still, there was something different about Daven. Something Josh couldn’t quite articulate.

“Maybe… because our eyes are the same color?” he whispered, his voice barely above a breath.