HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 326

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

**Chapter 326**

As the late afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over SunCity, Althea stepped into the office of Daniel Miller. The atmosphere was thick with the soft whispers of the day winding down. Daniel, a middle-aged man with a kind demeanor, lifted his gaze from a stack of papers on his large oak desk. His eyes radiated warmth, a comforting presence in the otherwise formal setting. Seated beside him was the family lawyer, the same man who had solemnly read Chase’s will months prior, his expression serious and attentive.

“Althea,” Daniel greeted her with a quiet sincerity. “Thank you for making the time to come here today.”

She offered a polite smile, though it felt a bit strained. “I should be the one expressing my gratitude, sir. I apologize for arriving on such short notice.”

“It’s perfectly fine,” Daniel replied, gesturing toward a chair with a reassuring pat on the desk’s edge. “Please, take a seat. There’s something important I need to discuss with you.”

With a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, Althea pulled out the chair and settled into it, her heart racing slightly. “What is it, sir?”

Daniel inhaled deeply, the weight of his next words palpable in the air. “It’s regarding Chase’s will.”

At the mention of Chase, her expression shifted, tightening with concern. “I thought everything had already been addressed.”

“It was,” Daniel confirmed, his voice steady but laced with gravity. “However, there’s one aspect I refrained from mentioning before.” He paused, his gaze locking onto hers, creating an unspoken connection filled with understanding. “A section Chase wrote specifically for me.”

Althea remained silent, her heart thudding in her chest as she awaited his revelation.

Daniel unfolded a well-worn piece of paper, its edges frayed with time. “He wrote this: ‘Father, if I can no longer take care of them, entrust Althea and my children to Daven Callister. I know he isn’t perfect, but I know he’ll love them more than I ever could.’”

The words hit Althea like a sudden gust of wind, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth as she struggled to catch her breath.

“Chase penned this with full awareness of everything,” Daniel continued softly, his tone gentle yet firm. “He understood who Daven was. He was aware of your history with him. Yet, he chose to write it anyway.”

“Why?” Althea’s voice quivered, the tremor betraying the turmoil within her. “Why would Chase do that?”

“Because he placed his trust in him,” Daniel replied simply, his eyes reflecting a depth of wisdom. “He believed that the best guardian for you wasn’t the flawless man, but rather the one who genuinely cared for you.”

Althea shook her head slowly, grappling with the implications of his words. “I don’t even know how to respond to that, sir. I just… I fear it will be misconstrued.”

Daniel’s smile was faint yet knowing, as if he could see through her defenses. “You still carry guilt regarding Daven, don’t you?”

“Not guilt,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Just… fear. Fear that if I embrace what he’s offering now, it would feel like a betrayal to Chase.”

Leaning forward slightly, Daniel’s expression softened further. “Althea, no one can replace Chase. You understand that. But life doesn’t come to a halt there, my dear. Chase wanted your happiness—that’s what he repeatedly emphasized to me.”

Her eyelids fluttered shut, tears pooling at the corners, threatening to spill over.

“Daven has cared for you with unwavering devotion,” Daniel continued, his voice soothing. “He may be busy, yet he still takes the time to drive Josh to school, to assist Grace with her speech lessons, to ensure you’re eating properly. I’ve witnessed it firsthand, Thea.”

“He’s merely keeping his promise,” Althea murmured, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

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