HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 227

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 227**

Cale’s smile was a mere shadow of amusement, a thin line that barely masked the malice lurking beneath. He clapped his hands once, a sharp sound that echoed in the dimly lit warehouse, relishing the moment. “I did what you asked,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “But let’s not forget—if I hadn’t pulled the strings and sabotaged that broadcast Vanessa did, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”

James felt a surge of frustration but kept his mouth shut, knowing it wouldn’t help.

With a sudden, forceful grip, Cale clamped his hand over James’s face, the pressure so intense that James instinctively winced. Cale, however, was unfazed. “I told you to know your place,” he hissed, his eyes narrowing. “I’ve been more than patient in keeping my word, but perhaps it’s time you learned a lesson, hmm?”

James’s jaw clenched, his teeth grinding together as he fought against the instinct to retaliate.

Cale’s piercing gaze remained fixed on him, but as James finally ceased his futile struggles, a cruel grin spread across Cale’s face. “That’s more like it,” he said, releasing his grip without any hint of compassion.

“Yeah, you’re right,” James spat, his voice laced with bitterness. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been able to orchestrate any of this chaos. Watching your lover be mocked day in and day out, her mistakes magnified for the world to see, and you, the one person who could have calmed the storm, nowhere to be found.”

Cale’s laughter was cold, devoid of warmth. “You bastard! What did Vanessa ever do to you, huh?” James felt the anger bubbling inside him, and he couldn’t hold back any longer. He launched a punch, a release of pent-up frustration he had been holding for days. But Cale was ready; he caught James’s fist effortlessly, twisting his arm until a gasp escaped James’s lips.

“I warned you not to cross the line!” Cale growled, his voice low and menacing.

“Ugh!” Pain shot through James as Cale pressed his weight down, pinning his arm behind his back. “You don’t understand what I feel. Vanessa doesn’t deserve this, Mr. Cale!”

“Doesn’t deserve it?” Cale leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper that dripped with disdain. “She deserves every bit of it. She dragged others into this mess. Do you really think I care about her tears? No, James. My only concern is protecting my family from the destruction she brings.”

A frown creased James’s forehead. “Is this about Miss Althea? Sure, Vanessa may be at fault, but Althea has nothing to do with us!”

Desperation clawed at James as he looked at Cale, hope flickering in his eyes. “You’ll let me go?”

Cale exhaled a cloud of smoke, nodding slowly. “Yes. You can return to Mighatan. But listen closely.” His voice dropped, sharp and threatening. “If Vanessa dares to push further, if she even attempts to make Althea or my family suffer— I won’t just keep you locked up. I will destroy every chance you have with her.”

James’s teeth ground together in defiance. “I won’t let that happen. I swear I’ll control Vanessa. She won’t bother anyone again. I just want to build a new life with her.”

Cale studied him for a long moment, his expression curling into a disdainful sneer. “I hope you’re strong enough to keep that promise. Because the moment you fail… I will step in. And when I do, believe me—you won’t have any room left to speak. Not even a sliver of hope for the life you claim to want.”

James struggled to comprehend the depths of Cale’s cruelty. Their earlier conversation had hinted at the impossibility of escape, but now… “You’re not joking with me, are you, Mr. Cale?”

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Cale replied, a slow, ugly grin spreading across his face. “Or… do you want to stay here for a very long time?”