HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 219

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 219**

“Would you mind if we had this conversation here?” Daven inquired cautiously as they stepped into the tranquil café nestled near the park where Josh and Chase had been playing just moments before.

“No.”

That single word was Althea’s only response as she took the lead, guiding him toward a secluded table tucked away in the corner. The café exuded a serene ambiance; a few patrons engaged in low conversations over steaming mugs of coffee, while the rich aroma of espresso mingled with hints of cinnamon wafted through the air. Yet, despite this comforting setting, an undeniable tension hung heavily between them.

They settled into their seats, facing each other. Daven’s mind drifted back to the meals they had shared in the past, particularly the last dinner he had reluctantly attended—a promise kept, though he had fought against the urge to stay away. The food had been decent, but what had truly overwhelmed him was Althea’s smile—radiant and warm, as if the mere act of his presence brought her joy. He often wondered if she had been foolish or simply numb to the reality of their situation. How could she smile so freely, when his heart had been given to someone else, to Vanessa?

But that version of Althea was nowhere to be seen now. She sat before him, composed and unyielding; her bright brown eyes glinted with sharpness, and her expression was devoid of any softness—no smile, no hint of warmth.

“So, let’s not dance around it. What is it you want to discuss?” she stated, her tone brisk and direct.

In that moment, Daven realized he was facing the true Althea—the woman who had meticulously excised any lingering feelings she once harbored for him. He was no longer a pivotal figure in her life; instead, he had become a chapter she would only revisit when absolutely necessary.

The realization should have been suffocating, and indeed, Daven felt it pressing against his chest. Nevertheless, he steeled himself and pressed on.

“How have you been, Althea?” he asked, his voice attempting to sound casual, yet beneath the surface, he genuinely craved to know how she was doing today.

Their brief exchange was interrupted as a waiter approached, delivering their orders—both had opted for something simple to sip on while they engaged in this delicate conversation.

Althea took a measured sip of her coffee, her gaze unwavering and cool. “You want to know how I am?”

Daven nodded, albeit briefly. “If you don’t mind—”

“Fine,” she replied, her voice flat and emotionless.

Althea exhaled slowly, her gaze drifting away from him—not because she couldn’t bear to look, but because the weight of his words made her heart ache. Memories she had struggled to bury surged forth, flickering like a damaged film reel; every moment spent in the Callister house replayed in vivid detail, unavoidable and haunting.

“Your regrets don’t change anything, Daven,” she replied, her voice steady. “What’s done cannot be rewound or fixed to suit your needs. For me, it still hurts. Even your apology holds no value for me now.”

Daven felt frozen in place, the sting of her words wrapping around him like a vice. The full weight of his past mistakes pressed down on him, each misstep slapping him in the face with painful clarity.

“Althea,” he managed to say, his voice taut with emotion, “I genuinely want to make things right—even though I know it may be impossible.”

She let out a bitter laugh, a sound devoid of humor. “What could you possibly fix? Patch things up with me? That’s absurd.”

Daven swallowed hard, the lump in his throat growing heavier.

“It’s time we live our separate lives,” Althea said softly, yet her words held an iron resolve. “Just as you decided back then. I left your life—without a trace, without anyone knowing where I was, with no intention of bothering you. No interference. Wouldn’t it be better to continue living like that? I need you to understand that.”