HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 238

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 238**

“James?” Her voice trembled, barely a whisper.

The man turned to face her, a faint smile playing on his lips, a glimmer of warmth in his eyes. “Welcome home, Miss Vanessa.”

Her gaze widened, disbelief flooding through her. For a moment, time seemed to freeze as she struggled to comprehend the sight before her. And then, like glass shattering, everything within her broke apart. Without a second thought, she rushed into his arms, gripping him tightly as sobs erupted from her chest, raw and unrestrained.

“Where have you been all this time?!” she cried out, her voice cracking under the weight of her anguish. “I waited for you! I needed you, James! And you just vanished! You left me all alone!”

James remained silent, a steadfast presence as her fists pounded against his chest. He allowed her fury to wash over him, absorbing her pain with a quiet strength. Bowing his head slightly, he moved one hand in a slow, gentle rhythm along her back, offering a grounding comfort that began to ease the tightness in her chest. Occasionally, he lifted his hand to tenderly wipe away the tears that streamed down the face of the woman he cherished.

“Answer me!” Vanessa’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her desperation palpable. “Do you even grasp what I’ve endured? Everyone turned against me, hated me, and not a single soul cared! And you—you weren’t even there! Was all of this just a cruel joke to you?!”

James inhaled deeply, steadying himself. “Of course not, Miss Vanessa.” He reached up once more to brush away her tears, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on her. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, he poured into that gesture all the affection he struggled to articulate.

Yet, the truth remained locked within him, a secret too heavy to bear. He couldn’t confess that he had been a part of the very forces that had shattered her world—that it was his hand, lurking in the shadows, that had disrupted her live broadcast, orchestrating a counter-stream that featured Daven and Althea at the most devastating moment.

“If it hadn’t been for my father, Theo Blake, I would never have left you,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vanessa’s hands balled into tight fists, her anger flaring. “I knew it. I knew Daddy was behind this! But… why didn’t you even try to find me?”

A thin, painful smile crossed James’s face as he cupped her cheeks in his hands, his touch achingly gentle. “How could I come to you while under threat? How could I risk your safety?” He pressed his forehead against hers, sharing his warmth, silently pleading with her not to press for further explanations about his sudden disappearance.

“I don’t care about his threats!” Vanessa’s voice rose, cracking into a scream. “He never cared about me! Never! And you—you were the only one I needed. How could you abandon me like that?!”

“Do you know how terrified I was?” James lifted her face, forcing her to meet his steady gaze. “I was afraid something would happen to you because of me. You know what your father is capable of. His influence is everywhere. I couldn’t allow you to suffer more just because I defied him.”

“Lies!” Vanessa shoved against his chest with all her might, but James caught her easily, pulling her back into his embrace. Her resistance crumbled, and she wept into his shirt, her sobs quieter now but no less intense.

“Calm yourself, Miss Vanessa,” he whispered, his voice a soothing balm even as his heart shattered at the sight of her unraveling. “This time, I won’t leave you.”

“I’m already ruined, James. Even when you weren’t here, I was torn apart so easily!” Her voice quaked with fury. “All of them—” she spat the words, “Althea, that wretched woman! And Daven—why did the man I loved turn his back on me? And worst of all, my own father! They all betrayed me!”

James pressed his lips to her forehead again, lingering there, grounding her. “I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”

Vanessa frowned, curiosity battling with suspicion in her expression.

“Let’s talk while we sit. You must be tired. I made some soup—do you want to eat now?”

It was then that she noticed their hands were intertwined. Since when had James taken her hand? The warmth of his palm felt steadier than the tumultuous world outside, and when he gave a gentle tug, she didn’t pull away. She let him guide her.

“Do you want the soup?” he asked again as they settled side by side on the sofa. He kissed the back of her hand—again and again—and each kiss sent a small tremor coursing through her.

“No,” she replied at last, her voice softening. “I just want to hear your offer. So… tell me. What are you offering for my ruined life?”

“We leave this place,” James said, his voice steady with conviction. “We go somewhere far from all of this and build a life where there aren’t flashing cameras, where no one knows our names. I believe we can get through it, Vanessa. If you choose to step away from the spotlight, I don’t care—I’ll provide. It may take time for me to find steady work, but I’ll try. Please be patient with me.”

Vanessa fell silent, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket.

“Marry me,” he blurted out, raw and simple. “Be my wife and live quietly with me. Let’s wipe the slate clean once your trial is over. Will you?”