HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

“Open the suitcase,” Kate commanded once more, her tone sharp and unyielding.

Felicia and Kalina exchanged gleeful laughter, clearly relishing every moment of Althea’s predicament. For them, nothing was more gratifying than witnessing Althea trapped and humiliated—especially when she was left without any words to defend herself.

“Of course, a thorough check is necessary,” Felicia added, her voice laced with feigned concern. “We must protect the Callister family’s reputation at all costs. After all, with your background, it’s easy to imagine you might be tempted to take more than what’s rightfully yours.”

Althea maintained her composure as one of the suitcases was pulled closer to the group. “Go ahead,” she said steadily. “I haven’t taken a single thing that doesn’t belong to me.”

Kate scoffed, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “Keep spouting nonsense, Althea. But if I find even one valuable item in there, you’ll face the consequences.”

“And if you don’t?” Althea asked, her smile calm and unwavering. “Then Mrs. Callister and her daughters will kindly return everything to my suitcase, exactly as they found it. I wouldn’t want a single item to be lost in this house—everything I packed is far too valuable.”

Kate’s face flushed with fury. Her eyes narrowed, sharp as a blade. What gave Althea the audacity to speak so calmly? Where did that confidence come from—this woman she had always considered beneath them, unworthy of their world?

“Mom,” Daven intervened, his voice tense with rising frustration. He grabbed Felicia’s wrist, pulling it away from the suitcase with more force than necessary. “Enough, Felicia. Stop making this worse.”

Felicia yanked her hand back, scowling. “What are you doing, Daven? I’m just doing what Mom asked. It’s important to make sure this woman isn’t taking anything she shouldn’t.”

“Felicia,” Daven growled, his eyes flashing a warning.

“Then why are you—”

Before he could finish, Althea’s voice cut through the thick tension like a calm ripple in a stormy sea. Everyone turned to her, drawn by the steady, unwavering tone she used, as if she already anticipated just how far they would go to humiliate her. How relentless they were in their efforts to belittle her. It was as though their cruelty had no end.

“Thank you for standing up for me, even if only a little,” Althea said quietly. “But you don’t have to.”

“My fiancé doesn’t waste his time on useless things, Althea,” Vanessa snapped sharply, irritation clear in her voice. “See, sweetheart? Give her a chance to speak and this is what happens—she acts as if her presence here hasn’t caused all this chaos.”

Althea remained composed, a faint, serene smile lingering on her lips. “I don’t mind if you want to check—and double-check—what’s in my suitcases. But as I’ve said before, if you find nothing, then you’ll be the ones responsible for putting everything back exactly as it was.”