HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 218

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

**Chapter 218**

To Josh, the man seated beside him, with his shirt sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows after shedding his blazer and loosening his tie, exuded an effortless coolness that was almost enviable. Daven had an uncanny ability to make every game seem like a walk in the park. In contrast, Josh often stumbled and fumbled, yet each misstep was met with an uncontainable joy that radiated from him as he played.

If only they could do this every day, Josh mused wistfully. Life would be so much brighter, so much more exhilarating.

“Can we play like this again tomorrow?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with hope.

Daven paused, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his face before a warm smile broke through, meant to soften the blow of reality. “You know, I really had a fantastic time today. Being with you has been the highlight of my week, Josh.” He affectionately ruffled the boy’s hair, a gesture that made Josh’s heart swell with affection. “But you and I—we both have our own lives to manage, don’t we?”

Josh’s face scrunched up into a pout, disappointment evident in his expression. “What about this weekend?”

Oh, how Daven longed to say yes. The thought of never having to turn down Josh’s requests, of spending every free moment with him, filled him with a sense of warmth. It would mean navigating through a mountain of work, but with Josh by his side, none of it would feel burdensome. Everything would be lighter, brighter.

“If only it were that simple,” Daven replied, maintaining his smile despite the weight of his responsibilities. “But I promise I’ll do my best to make it happen.”

“Promise?” Josh extended his pinky, his face alight with determination. “You have to promise me, if you’re not busy, you’ll play with me again, Mr. Handsome.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Daven linked his pinky with Josh’s. “Yes, I promise.”

Josh’s grin widened, illuminating his face as their pinkies intertwined. “I’ll be counting on you to find some free time, Mr. Handsome.”

Daven blinked, momentarily taken aback by Chase’s forthrightness. Beneath his surprise, a swell of gratitude emerged. For so long, he had yearned for the opportunity to speak with Althea face-to-face, to address the unspoken tensions that hung between them. He would never have dared to ask for such a moment directly—he understood the boundaries. But now that the chance had been presented, he was determined not to squander it.

“That is, if my fiancée doesn’t mind,” Chase added, his smile layered with unspoken implications.

“Ah, you’re right, Mr. Miller.” Daven paused, the weight of the moment settling on him as he realized it all hinged on Althea’s agreement. “Only if Miss Grayson is okay with it.”

Althea hesitated, her thoughts flickering across her face before she gave a small nod. “I also have a few things I need to discuss with Mr. Callister.”

A faint smile tugged at Daven’s lips, relief washing over him. “Thank you for agreeing to this, Althea. I’ve been hoping for a long time to finally have a conversation with you.”