HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“Have you… lost your mind?” Lydia’s voice cracked with disbelief, her expression frozen in shock. Althea could completely understand her friend’s reaction. She had confided everything to Lydia—yet without a single tear falling. Still, Lydia sensed the deep well of pain and disappointment beneath Althea’s calm exterior. Sometimes, anguish runs so deep that tears are no longer enough to express it.

There are wounds so profound that even crying feels futile.

“You can say whatever you want,” Althea murmured, a faint smile touching her lips. “But I truly believe this is the only chance life has handed me.”

“You have me, Althea,” Lydia snapped, frustration evident in her tone. “You’re not alone in this world. I’ve told you countless times—the Callister family isn’t a place for someone like you. You’re too kind, too gentle, to be forced to survive among them.”

Althea’s gaze dropped to the lukewarm tea cupped in her hands. She held it tightly, as if the fading warmth could soothe the turmoil raging inside her chest.

“I know,” she whispered, barely audible. “If I could turn back time, I would never have wished to be part of their family.”

A bitter smile curved her lips, one meant only for herself—an acknowledgment of a life that felt like an endless, crashing wave pulling her under again and again.

Lydia sighed deeply, leaning closer to Althea, who sat slumped with defeat. “Why wait a whole month? In the end, Daven will still divorce you, won’t he?”

Althea nodded slowly. “Like I said… who knows? Maybe within that month, Daven will spend the night with me.”

A painful smile flickered across her face as her head bowed lower. “My life is pathetic, isn’t it?”

A heavy silence settled between them.

“But who knows,” Althea continued softly, “maybe God will take pity on me. Maybe I’ll get pregnant.”

“Are you not afraid?” Lydia asked cautiously. “What if Daven finds out someday?”

“Why should I be afraid? It’s just one night, like the others he spends with different women, isn’t it? I can give him plenty of reasons. I won’t ask for anything from him. There will never be a Callister name tied to me—or my child—again.”

Lydia exhaled deeply. The despair Althea carried was real and justified. If this was what Althea wanted, Lydia could only stand by her. “And you’re sure about selling the house?”

“Yes,” Althea replied without hesitation.

Lydia looked at her, a mixture of admiration and sorrow shining in her eyes. “But that house… it was your mother’s. You two shared so many memories there.”

Althea paused briefly, then offered a faint, wistful smile. “I don’t want to leave any trace of myself in this city, Lydia. I’ve made my decision. I’m truly leaving.”

***

The evening sky had already darkened when Daven Callister unlocked the front door. The familiar click echoed through the grand, silent house—quiet, yet somehow resonant. His polished black shoes tapped against the gleaming marble floor of the foyer. His dark grey suit looked slightly rumpled, betraying the long day he’d endured. A faint trace of an elegant woman’s perfume lingered on his collar—a subtle reminder of the secret dinner he had just shared with Vanessa.

He sighed, loosening his tie with a lazy tug before stepping further inside. The lights in the main room were still on, casting a warm glow that contrasted sharply with the chill outside.

“Welcome home, Daven.”

His footsteps faltered.

Althea stood at the entrance to the dining room, dressed simply in a beige house dress. Her hair was neatly pinned up, soft strands framing her face. She smiled—warm and genuine—her brown eyes meeting her husband’s as if nothing was wrong.

For a moment, Daven just stared at her. Normally, he would have ignored such a greeting. But tonight, brushing Althea off felt impossible.

“I made dinner,” she said softly. “I heard the weather’s been cold today, so I thought you might like some beef soup and warm bread.”

Her words drew Daven’s attention to the dining table. Dinner was laid out with care: a steaming bowl of soup, homemade bread, and a small plate of salad arranged delicately. A single lit candle stood in the center, casting a gentle glow and dancing shadows on the wall.

He exhaled quietly. “I already ate.”

Althea nodded. “That’s okay. But it’d be a shame to let it go cold and waste it. You could try a little.”

Her tone was light, not demanding. Yet for some reason, Daven pulled out a chair and sat down without protest. Perhaps it was fatigue. Perhaps it was the hopeful look in Althea’s eyes. Or maybe it was because of the promise he’d made—to treat Althea as his real wife, if only for a month.

And dinner with his wife counted, didn’t it?

Althea took the seat opposite him, her hands busy pouring water into a glass. “Go ahead,” she encouraged gently. She didn’t touch her own food, simply watching him with a calm, steady gaze.

“The Japanese Ambassador has taken a particular interest in Callister Enterprise. He extended a personal invitation.”

“That’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Althea’s voice held a hint of enthusiasm.

“They invited me… with a partner.”

She was still smiling. “You can do that, Daven.”

“My wife.”

Althea fell silent.

“I’ve been asked to attend with my wife, Althea.”

Those words left her speechless. A sharp, inexplicable ache blossomed in her chest. It had seemed certain Daven would go with Vanessa. So why was he telling her this?

Was it a reminder of her place? Even without his words, Althea was painfully aware of her position in this house.

“Get ready to attend the event, Althea.”

Daven rose from his seat, resting a hand on the table before heading toward the stairs. But just before disappearing from view, he spoke again—without looking back:

“The soup was good.”

She hadn’t fully processed what he’d said yet. But…

“Am I dreaming?” Althea muttered, pressing her hands to her cheeks, feeling warmth spread suddenly. “Daven… complimented my cooking?”

But that wasn’t the most astonishing part.

“And he asked me to go with him? As his wife?”