HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 234

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

**Chapter 234**

“There are already reporters waiting outside, Miss Vanessa,” Reid said, his brow furrowing with palpable frustration. The atmosphere in the room felt thick with tension, a silent acknowledgment of the storm that had just unfolded. Losing the trial had not taken him by surprise—he had sensed this outcome looming from the very beginning. Yet, here they were, trapped in this spiraling disaster, all because his client had stubbornly clung to her pride. If only Vanessa had been willing to set aside her ego, perhaps they wouldn’t be mired in this chaos.

“What do I care?!” Vanessa retorted, her voice slicing through the air with a sharpness that betrayed her anger. “You’re supposed to be a senior attorney, yet you couldn’t even defend me properly!” Frustration bubbled within her, a tempest of emotions threatening to spill over.

Reid inhaled deeply, releasing a long, measured breath. “If you had followed my advice, none of this would have escalated to this point. Refusing to comply with the court’s ruling will only complicate matters further, especially given your status as a public figure. You need to consider your reputation—there’s still something salvageable, if only you can put your pride aside for a moment.”

“To hell with that!” Vanessa shot back, her heart racing as she struggled to process the whirlwind of events. The judge’s words reverberated in her mind like a relentless drumbeat. If it had merely been about money, perhaps she could have navigated through it. But a public apology? That was the ultimate degradation—an admission of guilt broadcasted to the world.

“You’d better think this through with a clear head,” Reid urged, his tone steady yet firm. “In fact, this might be the perfect moment for you to reconsider. You still have your divorce proceedings with Mr. Daven looming ahead. If he sees you swallowing your pride, perhaps he’ll rethink his petition.”

Vanessa remained silent, lost in thought for what felt like an eternity.

“When you’re ready, I’ll be outside,” Reid said, his voice softening slightly. “Please, think carefully about my advice.” With that, he stepped out of the private chamber, leaving her to wrestle with her emotions. He hadn’t suggested heading home immediately; Vanessa was still raw, her feelings like an open wound. Stepping out to confront the throng of journalists waiting outside could ignite an even bigger explosion of chaos. The press would pounce on her vulnerability, crafting headlines that painted her as the villain of this unfolding saga.

After nearly ten agonizing minutes, Vanessa finally emerged from the chamber. Her face bore the weight of exhaustion, her movements subdued and hesitant.

“We’re leaving now, Mr. Reid,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Reid, who had been deep in discussion with his team about strategy, looked up in mild surprise as the door swung open. He had braced himself for another outburst, yet there she stood, her demeanor markedly different—bowed but calmer, as if she had made a decision.

“Very well, Miss Vanessa. The car is waiting for us at the back. We can slip out through the rear entrance to avoid the press—”

“No,” Vanessa interrupted, her voice steady yet cold. “We’ll face them. The sooner I fulfill that woman’s demand, the sooner I can put this behind me. Then I can focus on how to repay this humiliation.”

Her declaration stunned Reid, but he was not alone; Theo Blake’s entire legal team stared at her in disbelief. Was she truly serious… or was she unraveling before their eyes?

“You mean that?” Reid asked, his voice cautious as he searched her expression for any hint of doubt.

“Do I sound like I’m joking?” Vanessa retorted, her tone biting and resolute. “Do it quickly. I don’t want to linger here. Let’s end this now.”

“Yes, Miss Vanessa.”

As Reid had predicted, the courthouse steps were a frenzy of reporters clamoring for attention. The moment Vanessa stepped into the lobby, a barrage of flashbulbs erupted, blinding her momentarily with their intensity.

Questions bombarded her from every direction, voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony of inquiries.

“Miss Vanessa, how do you respond to the verdict?”

“Is it true you’ve been ordered to issue a public apology?”

“Will you comply—or will you appeal?”

With a deep breath, Vanessa approached the small podium set up by the court. Her face was a mask of tension, eyes rimmed with red from a storm of rage and humiliation. Reid leaned in close, his voice a quiet murmur.

“If you don’t want to do this now, I can ask the reporters to give you more time. If not, this will only—”

“After this case, what’s your next step? Are you planning to leave the entertainment industry?”

Vanessa’s hands clenched into fists, her jaw tightening. She wanted to scream, to shove their intrusive questions back in their faces—but her voice was trapped in silence.

Her lawyer stepped forward, blocking the microphone with a protective stance.

“No further statements. My client has fulfilled her obligation, and there is nothing more to confirm. Regarding the matter between Miss Blake and Miss Grayson, I believe we’ve reached a resolution. I ask the media to respect that.”

But the reporters were relentless.

“What about the losses suffered by the companies tied to your name?”

“Is it true you’re still in contact with James Sullivan?”

“Was this all really fueled by rivalry with Miss Althea?”

“What’s your response regarding the ongoing divorce trial? Are you still involved with Mr. Daven?”

Vanessa bowed her head lower, her hair cascading forward to shield part of her face. Still, the relentless flashes captured her pale features, now slick with sweat.

From the chaotic throng of reporters, a voice rose above the din—

“Miss Vanessa, wouldn’t it be better to answer now, rather than stay silent?”