HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 293

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**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 293**

“At last… we’re back home, Josh.”

Althea’s smile radiated with an infectious warmth as she stood before the front door that had become a symbol of her past—a threshold she hadn’t crossed in what felt like an eternity. The familiar sight stirred a whirlpool of emotions within her, memories flooding back like a tide she had tried to hold at bay.

Since the chaotic events that had thrust her name into the spotlight, she and Josh had found refuge under the protective wings of the Millers. Their home had become a sanctuary, filled with the comforting laughter of friends and the unwavering support of Chase, whose presence was a balm to her frayed nerves. It was a kind of safety she had longed for, one she hadn’t truly felt in years, and she was profoundly thankful for it all.

But today, Althea had resolved to take a step—one that surprised even her own heart.

The moment their plane touched down at SunCity’s bustling airport, a sense of urgency bubbled within her. She turned to Chase, her voice steady yet resolute, and declared her desire to return home. Just the two of them—no detours, no guards, no second-guessing.

Chase’s eyes widened in surprise; he hadn’t anticipated such a sudden declaration. Yet, as she spoke, her quiet determination shone through, and he could see the fire in her spirit. With a reluctant nod, he accepted her decision, albeit with a hint of worry lingering in his gaze.

Now, a week had slipped by since their return, and life was slowly beginning to find its rhythm once more. Or at least, that was the comforting narrative Althea was trying to weave in her mind.

Each morning, she donned her teacher’s uniform, a crisp reminder of her role, and stepped into the classroom, where she guided her students through their lessons with a smile that masked the turbulence within. Chase still insisted on picking her up every morning, his cheerful insistence on sharing breakfast a ritual that brought a sense of normalcy to their lives.

Althea had long ceased to resist this routine; neither she nor Josh could muster the will to decline Chase’s bright, infectious grin that greeted them at their doorstep before dawn’s light broke.

Josh had also returned to school, his spirit undeterred despite the lingering pain in his healing leg. His enthusiasm was palpable, a stark contrast to the shadows that had once loomed over them. Chase had resumed his duties as the director of the SunRise Foundation, yet he still made it a point to check in on Althea and Josh, driving them to and from school with a fatherly affection that warmed their hearts.

Yet, beneath the comforting cadence of their daily lives, an undercurrent of unease persisted.

Harold had finally been apprehended, held under strict police supervision, and was facing the consequences of years spent orchestrating corruption and manipulation during his tenure as mayor.

Despite this, the Millers remained vigilant, their protective instincts unyielding.

“We can’t be too careful; we don’t know who might still be loyal to him,” Chase had cautioned her one evening, his tone laced with concern and a touch of apology.

Althea understood the weight of his words. The fear was rooted in reality, and she didn’t argue. As long as the watchful eyes Chase assigned to them were discreet, she could live with the extra layer of caution.

That afternoon, the teachers’ lounge was unusually hushed, a stark contrast to the usual buzz of chatter and laughter. Most of her colleagues had already departed, leaving Althea alone at her desk, surrounded by mountains of exam papers that awaited her attention. The soft scratch of her blue pen on the crisp sheets filled the silence as she meticulously marked scores and penned encouraging notes in the margins.