HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 250

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 250**

“Mr. Handsome, you’ve been chatting with Grandma for quite a while. Is everything okay?” Josh inquired, his mouth full of juicy fruit from the platter laid out before him. With a childish glee, he added, “Uncle Arsen peeled me an apple, and it’s super sweet! Want a bite, Mr. Handsome?”

Daven ambled over, his fingers playfully tousling Josh’s hair, a gesture filled with warmth. His gaze drifted to the snack trolley, which had once been overflowing but now bore a noticeable dent in its bounty. “So, you’re enjoying the treats that Arsen prepared for you?” he asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“Absolutely!” Josh beamed, his cheeks puffing out like little balloons. “You simply have to try it, Mr. Handsome.” He eagerly pushed the plate of vibrant apple slices toward Daven, his enthusiasm infectious. “Oh, and Grandma too! You should definitely have some!”

Just then, Kate emerged from the room, her demeanor calm yet her thoughts a whirlpool of emotions. Daven’s earlier words still resonated within her, making perfect sense in the quiet chaos of her mind. She felt a pull to restrain her own feelings, to avoid further conflict. Instead, she settled beside Josh, her voice softening as she asked, “May I… give you a hug, sweetheart?”

Josh blinked in surprise, his eyes wide with delight, before he nodded vigorously. “Of course!”

He carefully set the plate down on the table and stretched his arms wide, inviting the older woman—whose name still eluded him—to wrap him in her embrace. Kate enveloped him in her arms, feeling the warmth radiating from his small body, a mixture of joy and uncertainty flooding her heart. She held him tightly, reluctant to break the connection, while Josh remained still for a moment, savoring the affection.

“Are you sad, Grandma?” he whispered, his voice laced with genuine curiosity.

“If I were sad, would you try to cheer me up?” she countered, her heart swelling at his innocence.

Josh leaned back slightly, his large, expressive eyes locking onto hers. A smile broke across his face, illuminating his features. “Of course! Do you want me to tell you a story?”

“What kind of story do you have in mind?” Kate asked, brushing her fingers gently over his round cheek.

“Mr. Handsome mentioned he has storybooks in his study. Maybe… one of those?”

A soft laugh escaped Kate’s lips, a sound filled with warmth and nostalgia. “How about you share a bit about your life instead? Oh—and I haven’t properly introduced myself.” She extended her hand, and Josh grabbed it with eagerness. In that moment, Kate felt a rush of emotions she had never anticipated—holding the hand of her son’s child, her grandson. The Callister heir she had once envisioned, now a reality before her.

But why… why did this heir appear at a time when their family felt so fractured?

“I’m Catherine Callister, the mother of… your Mr. Handsome. Do you know his real name?” she asked, her voice steady despite the storm brewing within her.

“Oh? Um… yeah. Mommy’s going to marry Uncle Chase. That means he’ll be my dad, right? Actually, he’s been like a dad to me for a long time already. He’s really kind. I’m happy he’s going to be my dad.”

“And… where is your real father?” Kate asked cautiously, her heart racing as she braced for his response.

Josh’s brow furrowed as he pondered her question. “Mommy told me… he’s already in heaven. Watching over me from there. That’s why I try not to make trouble—like being naughty or disobeying Mommy. Because she says… he’s keeping an eye on me from heaven.”

Kate’s breath caught in her throat, his words striking her like a physical blow. She wanted to scream, to deny it, to shout the truth. No! Your father is right here, in this very room! How could that woman feed such a colossal lie into the mind of an innocent child?

No.

She couldn’t let this continue. She had to act, to strip away the façade and reveal the truth that had lingered in the shadows for far too long.

“But honestly…” Josh’s innocent voice cut through her tumultuous thoughts, sincere and heartfelt, “I wish Mr. Handsome could be my dad too. Then I’d have two dads, right? Daddy Chase and Papa Daven. But… that’s not possible, is it?”