HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 316

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 316**

That night, the hospital room was enveloped in a heavy silence, a stillness that felt almost oppressive. The only sound breaking through the quiet was the rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor, a mechanical reminder of life that contrasted sharply with Althea’s labored, uneven breaths. Sleep eluded her, a distant dream that felt forever out of reach. With trembling fingers, she reached for the phone resting on the small bedside table, its presence a lifeline to the world outside.

The news played on a loop on the screen, a grim reminder of reality that she couldn’t escape.

A live broadcast from the Turkish coast filled the room with images of tumultuous waves crashing violently against the shore, twisted metal fragments scattered across the sand, and rescue teams tirelessly sifting through the debris, pulling personal belongings from the unforgiving sea.

“The plane that went missing two days ago has been located, utterly destroyed, near the Dardanelles Strait. Preliminary reports indicate there are no signs of survivors among the 180 passengers and crew members…”

Althea’s gaze remained fixed on the screen, her heart sinking deeper with each word. Her lips quivered, but no sound escaped; only tears began to flow, tracing silent paths down her cheeks.

Her hand hovered over the phone, fingertips brushing its surface as if she could somehow reach through the screen and touch Chase’s face, to feel his warmth one last time.

“You… really aren’t coming back, are you?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, as fragile as her heart felt.

She cried softly, no sobs or wails, just the quiet kind of sorrow that only someone with a heart freshly shattered could truly comprehend.

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the curtains, casting a soft glow in the room, Althea still hadn’t found solace in sleep. Her eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, yet there was an unsettling calmness about her, as if deep down, she had already accepted the truth, even if no one had summoned the courage to voice it aloud.

A gentle knock broke the stillness, and a nurse entered, her smile warm and reassuring.

“Good morning, Mrs. Grayson. Are you ready to meet your little girl?”

Althea nodded faintly, a flicker of hope igniting within her. “Yes… I’ve been waiting all night.”

The nurse carefully brought in a tiny bundle, swathed in a pristine white blanket. The baby’s cheeks glowed a soft pink, her eyes still closed in peaceful slumber. When the nurse placed her in Althea’s arms, time seemed to freeze, the world outside fading away.

“She… she looks just like Chase,” Althea whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “Her nose, her lips… everything.”

A tear slipped down her cheek, landing softly on her baby’s delicate skin, but a small smile broke through her sorrow. “Welcome, sweetheart. Your father would be so proud of you.”

Moments later, the door creaked open again. Kate and Riana slipped in quietly, followed closely by Kalina, who held a bouquet of pristine white flowers, their fragrance filling the room with a hint of hope.

“Oh, God… she’s beautiful,” Kate breathed, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Riana stepped closer, her hand reaching out to take Althea’s. “My love… how are you feeling?”

“Better,” Althea replied softly, her heart swelling with the love for her newborn. “She gives me a reason to stay strong.”

Riana smiled through her tears, her heart aching for her daughter. “You’re incredible, Thea. Chase must be so happy watching over you both.”

Althea lowered her gaze, her eyes fixated on her baby’s tiny face, a mirror of the man she loved. “I know, Mom. I can feel he’s here…”

Just then, Daniel Miller entered, accompanied by Chris and Cale. The atmosphere shifted, the warmth that had filled the room now heavy with unspoken grief.

“Your daughter looks so much like Chase,” Daniel said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “Even the way she sleeps.”

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