HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 240

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 240**

Chase met Althea’s gaze with unwavering intensity, his voice steady and sincere. “What I’m talking about, Althea, is marriage. The complicated situation with Vanessa has been resolved. There’s nothing standing in our way now. I want to make you my wife—officially.”

As his words hung in the air, a profound silence enveloped them, broken only by the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. Althea felt her heart race—not from trepidation, but from a bubbling joy that seemed to defy expression.

“Chase…” Her voice quivered, barely above a whisper. “Are you truly serious about this?”

He responded with a lopsided grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Have I ever made light of anything when it comes to you?”

A soft laugh escaped her lips, and soon Chase joined in, their laughter intertwining and filling the evening with warmth. As he took both of her hands in his, the world around them seemed to shift, the air thickening with promise. “I mean it, Althea. I can’t wait any longer. I want to create a home with you—legitimately—without the shadows of our past looming over us.”

She held his gaze, her heart swelling, and after a moment’s contemplation, she nodded. “Okay then. Let’s do it.”

Chase enveloped her in his arms, a protective embrace that felt like coming home. “I promise to make you happy. You and Josh.”

“You don’t need to promise what you already do for us,” Althea whispered, tightening her hold around him. The familiar scent of Chase—earthy and reassuring—wrapped around her like a comforting blanket, more stable than the rhythm of the waves crashing against the shore.

From a distance, their son Josh waved enthusiastically, his voice ringing out with innocent joy. “Mommy! Uncle Chase! Look at my castle!”

Althea chuckled, her heart swelling with affection. “Of course, Josh won’t be too pleased if we leave him for too long, especially with his sitter.”

“He’s got a point,” Chase said, his eyes lighting up as they strolled toward the boy. Josh stood proudly beside a lopsided sandcastle, beaming with pride at the colorful shells he had carefully glued along its walls.

With boundless energy, Josh patted the sand beside his fortress, radiating joy. Althea crouched down, her heart swelling as she admired her son’s creation, a tender smile gracing her lips. Chase settled beside them, crossing his legs in the warm sand, his heart swelling as he soaked in the simplicity of this idyllic moment—this quiet scene felt like everything he had ever yearned for.

“Josh,” Chase said gently, his tone softening. The little boy looked up, his eyes bright with curiosity.

“Yes, Uncle Chase?”

Chase leaned closer, lowering himself to meet Josh’s gaze. His smile was warm, and for a brief moment, his voice trembled with emotion. “You know how much I care about your mommy, right? I want to take care of her—and I want to take care of you, too. So… I want to marry your mommy. What do you think? Is that okay with you?”

“Yes!” Josh exclaimed, gulping down the last of his favorite coconut syrup drink. “I want to go diving again. Can I, Daddy?”

Since Josh had declared that he would call him Daddy, Chase’s heart had been overflowing with joy, a feeling he had never known before.

“You absolutely can,” Chase replied with warmth. “But first, you’ll need to ask your mom for permission.”

Josh’s face fell into a pout, his excitement momentarily dimmed. “Mommy won’t like it.” He propped his chin on the table, staring forlornly at his now-empty glass. “If Mommy says no, that means I can’t dive again today, right, Daddy?”

Chase smiled, his gaze soft and affectionate. “That’s correct. Your mom has the final say. But I promise you this—on our next vacation, we will go diving again. I want you to be ready for a diving class because I’ll take you to the most beautiful spot I know.”

Josh’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, his excitement bubbling over. “Really?” he asked, his voice filled with hope. “You mean it, Dad?”

“Do I look like I’d ever lie to you?”

Josh squealed with delight, throwing his arms around Chase in a spontaneous hug. “Thank you! Yay! I’ll get ready for a diving class. But… can you dive as far as the guide did yesterday?”