HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Perhaps, deep down, he had allowed himself to believe it all along.

She had given him everything—her warmth, her body, her trust—without any conditions or hesitation. Yet when dawn broke and he finally opened his eyes, she was nowhere to be found. No sign of her beside him, no whispered farewell, only a silence so heavy it felt louder than any noise he had ever heard.

He never voiced it aloud, but the emptiness gnawed at him relentlessly.

Had he truly been so consumed by her presence?

“Was she really untouched before last night?” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his tousled hair. “That’s unreal.”

He wasn’t sure if his words were meant as praise or sarcasm, but either way, the feeling settled uncomfortably in his chest.

“Damn it. Why can’t I stop thinking about her?” he cursed under his breath, frustration tightening his jaw.

“And why the hell did I refuse lunch?” he grumbled, recalling how good her cooking had been. “It was actually… damn good.”

Pressing his fingers against his temples, he tried desperately to shove these thoughts aside. No matter how overwhelming the pressure, how packed his schedule, he never once loosened his tie during the day.

But now?

Without hesitation, he yanked it loose.

Whatever was eating at him had burrowed beneath his skin deeper than he cared to admit.

A sharp knock jolted him from his spiraling thoughts.

He turned toward the door.

“Come in,” he said flatly, his voice void of emotion.

Arven, his assistant, stepped inside carrying a stack of documents that required Daven’s signature. He also came bearing a reminder.

“Ten minutes until the meeting, Mr. Callister. Room 3B. It’s the one about the Osaka branch merger.”

Daven gave a slight nod but didn’t even glance at the files piled before him. His face was blank, distant, as if his mind was miles away. Arven furrowed his brows, confusion flickering across his features. In all the time he had worked with Daven Callister, he had never seen the man look so unsettled. Something was definitely wrong.

After a moment’s hesitation, Arven ventured cautiously, “Sir… are you alright?”

“Why are you wasting time asking pointless questions?” Daven snapped sharply.

Arven immediately fell silent.

“Just make sure everything’s ready for the meeting. We still have twenty minutes, right?” Daven checked his Rolex without waiting for an answer.

“Yes, sir,” Arven replied, nodding and stepping back, deciding it was best not to linger. It seemed like Daven was trying to refocus on the work in front of him.

But beneath the surface, the truth was far different.

Throughout the meeting, Arven’s suspicions were confirmed. Daven was clearly distracted. He kept zoning out, and whenever someone spoke to him, they had to repeat themselves two or three times. Even during the most critical parts of the presentation, it was painfully obvious his mind was elsewhere.

Instead, they turned to Arven, their eyes silently demanding an explanation.

But Arven could only shrug, just as confused as the rest.

“We’re done for now,” Daven said abruptly, standing and gathering his documents. “I have something else to take care of.”

With that, he left the boardroom behind, leaving stunned silence in his wake.

He didn’t stop until he was far down the corridor, already pulling out his phone. He typed quickly, then paused. Scrolled through his contacts. Searched again.

“What the hell… I don’t have her number?”

He came to a sudden halt.

His thumb raced furiously through the list of contacts, name after name, but no sign of Althea.

Frustration flared, sharp and sudden.

“Arsen!” he barked, his voice sharp and commanding.

Arsen, who had just stepped out of the meeting room, turned around and hurried back toward him.

“Yes, Mr. Daven?”

“Find my wife’s number,” Daven snapped. “Why the hell don’t I have it saved?”