HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 334

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 334**

“Cale, you really don’t need to show up every single time I have therapy,” Lydia remarked, her gaze fixed on the treadmill before her. The flatness of her voice contrasted sharply with the flicker of annoyance that danced in her eyes, visible in the machine’s reflective surface.

“I didn’t come here for you, you know,” Cale replied with a nonchalant air, his arms folded across his chest as if he were merely an observer. “I just happened to find myself with some spare time.”

“Spare time? You seem to have an abundance of it,” she shot back, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“Not exactly. I just can’t stand the idea of leaving someone to navigate their struggles alone, especially when they’re limping along on an injured leg.”

Lydia halted abruptly, her foot poised mid-step as she shot him a fierce glare. “Did you just refer to me as crippled?”

He shrugged, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “I merely stated a fact.”

“And that fact is that you clearly have no manners?”

“No,” he countered, his voice steady. “The fact is that I value honesty.”

With an exasperated sigh, she resumed her walking, but at a slower pace this time. “You should really work on controlling that mouth of yours, Mr. Callister. I could easily toss you out of here.”

“With that leg of yours?” Cale teased, a grin spreading across his face. “By all means, give it a shot.”

“Ugh, you’re impossible,” she groaned, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Thank you! I’ve received that compliment from many women, but only you manage to deliver it with a glare that could cut glass.”

Lydia shot him another fierce look, though the pink hue creeping onto her cheeks was hard to ignore. “I really don’t understand why Althea insists that you can be nice. Clearly, she’s mistaken.”

“I can be nice,” he replied, maintaining his even tone. “Just not to those who act like they don’t need assistance.”

“And you think I want your help?” she challenged, her voice rising slightly.

“If you truly didn’t want it, you wouldn’t get this worked up every time I show up. It’s like you’re waiting for me,” he stated, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“That’s absurd.”

“Is it really?”

Lydia diverted her gaze, feigning interest in the treadmill’s display. “I don’t need your pity, Cale.”

“I’m not pitying you, Lydia,” he said, his tone softening. “I just don’t want to see you give up on yourself.”

An uncomfortable silence enveloped them, punctuated only by the steady hum of the treadmill and her rhythmic breathing.

“Why do you care?” she finally asked, still avoiding his gaze.

Cale let out a slow breath, considering his response. “I honestly don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” she echoed, skepticism dripping from her words.

“Yeah. Maybe it’s because you’re my sister-in-law’s best friend. Or perhaps…” He hesitated, lowering his voice. “Maybe it’s because I see something in your eyes—something that feels familiar.”

Lydia turned her head slightly, curiosity piqued. “Sadness?”

“No,” he replied quietly. “Strength. But you act as if it’s nonexistent.”

She fell into a contemplative silence before whispering, “I’m just trying to live normally again.”

“And you will,” Cale assured her, his conviction unwavering. “As long as you stop pushing away everyone who’s trying to help.”

“I dislike feeling indebted to others,” she confessed.

“Then consider it me repaying a debt,” he suggested, his expression earnest.

Her brow furrowed in confusion. “A debt for what?”

“For not being able to save someone I should have saved,” he stated bluntly. “You don’t need to know the details.”

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