HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Althea gave her shopping bags one final once-over, her mind ticking off each item with quiet satisfaction. She had even managed to pick up the exact brand of coffee that Daven preferred, which meant today’s grocery run was a definite success. A small but meaningful victory.

The warm afternoon sun cast a gentle glow on her face as she steered the car into the driveway. She opened the door, reached for the bags, and began making her way up the stone path toward the kitchen’s back entrance. Almost immediately, Lena appeared, hurrying out with a helpful smile.

“Ma’am, let me take those for you,” Lena offered, reaching eagerly for the bags.

Althea shook her head gently, a soft smile playing on her lips. “It’s not heavy, Lena. I’ve got it.”

Lena’s lips pressed into a pout, clearly not impressed. “You always insist on doing everything yourself, Mrs. Althea. What are we here for if not to lend a hand?”

Althea chuckled warmly, feeling a little tug at her heart. “You already do so much around here, Lena. It’s just a few things, and I don’t mind putting them away.”

Though the staff might never fully accept her as the lady of the house, they treated her with a quiet, respectful distance. That alone made her reluctant to impose, especially when others in the household might see it as crossing a line.

One by one, she unpacked the groceries, carefully placing each item into the pantry and fridge. She separated out a few fresh ingredients for dinner and set aside a new box of herbal tea—just in case Daven ever wanted a break from his usual coffee routine.

With the kitchen back in order, she slipped off her light jacket and headed toward the sitting room, thinking she might finally finish the book she’d been slowly reading all week. But halfway there, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“My phone!”

She spun around and hurried to the nightstand where she’d left it charging earlier. “Lydia might have sent me an update about Mom’s house,” she murmured, sitting on the edge of the bed as she powered it on.

The screen lit up instantly, revealing a flood of notifications—missed calls, and a long string of messages from an unknown number.

Her brows knitted together in confusion. Every single one was from a number she didn’t recognize.

[+98067*****880]

Where are you?

Why is your phone off?

I’ve been calling.

Are you okay?

You’re not sick, are you?

1/3

Answer me, Althea.

Why haven’t you replied at all? Where are you?

It’s me, Daven.

Althea blinked, surprised. She scrolled through the avalanche of messages, reading each one carefully. Daven? He had sent all of this? She hadn’t expected him to reach out, let alone bombard her with messages like this. What was going on with him?

“Should I call him back?” she whispered to herself.

She didn’t dare ask why. Instead, she simply answered, “Yes. Have you?”

A quiet sigh came through the line. “No. It’s been a busy day.”

2/3

“I see.” She bit her lower lip, hesitating. “If I’d brought you lunch, you wouldn’t have needed to leave the office to find food.”

A soft chuckle came from the other end, low and warm. It tugged an involuntary smile from Althea’s lips.

“If I asked you for it now, would you make it for me?” he asked.

She straightened up, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was already past lunchtime. Even if she cooked something now, it would take too long to get it to his office. “But, Daven… it’s a little late. You know I haven’t even—”

“Whose fault is that?” he interrupted sharply.

Her breath caught again. It felt like he was cornering her. “I’m sorry, Daven.”

She braced herself, expecting a scolding, but instead, he laughed. And this time, it was a genuine, unguarded laugh—one that made her pause and wonder what had shifted in him today.

“It’s fine,” he said, his voice lighter. “You don’t need to make anything now.”

“Then… how about dinner?” she offered, hope coloring her words. “As an apology for ignoring your calls?”

The laughter on the other end abruptly stopped, leaving a sudden silence that made Althea’s heart race. Had she said something wrong? She was about to apologize when Daven spoke again before she could.