HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 22

Chapter 21

That morning, the quiet stillness of Daven’s room was gently infused with the soothing scent of jasmine tea mingling with the comforting aroma of warm, buttered toast. Soft sunlight streamed through the tall, elegant windows behind his desk, bathing the space in a tender, golden glow. Daven reclined in his chair, his gaze fixed intently on Althea as she carefully poured tea into a delicate cup, the steam curling upward like a whisper.

Althea appeared composed, serene—her smile subtle but genuine, enough to add a quiet warmth to the room that felt different from the usual tension between them.

“Is this enough?” she asked softly, setting the teacup down beside Daven’s plate with a gentle touch.

He responded with a brief nod. “Yeah.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t make coffee for you. I think we’re out of the beans you prefer. I’ll pick some up this afternoon,” she added, a hint of apology in her voice.

Daven offered only a short nod in return, his eyes still watching her.

They ate in companionable silence, the only sound the soft clinking of cutlery against plates. Yet beneath the quiet, Althea’s thoughts swirled with complexity. She wasn’t sure why Daven had insisted on eating here, away from the others, but now that she was in this sunlit, peaceful corner with him, the moment felt unexpectedly intimate—almost tender. Without realizing it, she found herself smiling more than she had in a long time.

“What’s gotten into you?” Daven finally broke the silence, his voice low and curious.

“What do you mean?” she replied, a little caught off guard.

“You keep smiling,” he said, setting down his teacup deliberately. “Is something making you happy?”

Althea hesitated, then let out a light laugh. “It might sound silly, but… this is the first time I’ve had breakfast with my husband in a place where no one’s watching us. No interruptions.”

Daven didn’t reply immediately. His eyes drifted to his plate, but he didn’t miss a single movement she made.

“You didn’t like me saying that, did you?” she asked gently, sensing a subtle shift in his mood. “I’m sorry.”

“Why do you always apologize?” he said, a flicker of amusement in his tone, though he kept his expression serious. Watching her squirm—nervous and unsure—was oddly entertaining. “Stop overthinking everything.”

Lowering her gaze, Althea nervously twisted the cloth napkin on her lap. “Like I said… maybe it doesn’t mean much to you. But for me, just sitting here and eating like this—it’s something I’ve wanted for a very long time.”

Silence settled between them again, thick but not uncomfortable.

Until—

“How’s your body?” Daven asked suddenly, his voice calm but probing.

Althea’s eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly dropped her gaze.

“L-like usual,” she stammered, cheeks flushing. “I’m… I’m fine.”

He watched her carefully, noticing the deepening blush that spread to her ears. “Nothing hurts?” he pressed gently.

Daven turned to look at her, his gaze lingering longer than necessary. Then, with a simple, deliberate nod, he gave his answer.

And in that moment, he saw it—that radiant smile that lit up Althea’s entire face, her bright brown eyes nearly disappearing behind the curve of her joy. It was as if sharing one quiet breakfast with him was the most precious gift she could ever receive.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice as sweet as honey. “I know we probably won’t have many mornings like this—maybe not even two more weeks—but… I’ll remember this.”

Her words hit Daven like a heavy stone against his chest—weighty, solid, impossible to ignore. He disliked the suffocating feeling it stirred inside him, yet he couldn’t understand why her voice carried such quiet resignation, as if she had already accepted how fleeting this moment was.

Meanwhile, in the formal dining room, the atmosphere was anything but peaceful.

Vanessa, Kate, and the two daughters—Kalina and Felicia—sat around the breakfast table, barely touching their food. The warmth of their meals had long since faded, along with their appetites. And the reason for this collective unease? Althea.

“Mom, can’t we just throw her out already?” Kalina grumbled, stirring her soup listlessly.

Kate clicked her tongue, irritation evident. “If Daven weren’t standing in the way, I would’ve done it ages ago.”

“Does she really think one breakfast with him will change anything?” Felicia scoffed, eyes narrowed in disdain.

“She’s pathetic,” Kalina added sharply. “Playing the innocent, cooking breakfast, pretending to be the perfect wife. But we all know—”