HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 49

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 49**

“This is absolutely delicious, Mom!” Josh exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with delight as he eagerly stuffed a generous forkful of baked macaroni into his mouth. The sheer joy radiating from his small face was contagious, and he shot Althea a big thumbs-up, a gesture of pure approval that made her heart swell.

“I must say, I completely agree with you, little champ,” Chase chimed in, nodding appreciatively as he savored his own bite. His voice carried a warm tone, laced with genuine admiration. “Honestly, Althea, I’ve been pondering this—did you ever take cooking classes? Because your food is dangerously addictive. At this rate, I might find myself craving it every single day, Miss Grayson.”

Althea felt a blush creeping up her cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and pride. She quickly averted her gaze, focusing instead on refilling Josh’s glass with cool water.

“Make sure you both eat up,” she encouraged gently, her voice soft as she spoke. “Especially you, Josh. And remember, no talking with your mouth full—you might choke!”

“Yes, Mom!” Josh replied, his cheerful tone still bright as he grinned widely, clearly too excited to heed her advice.

Despite her reminders, Josh’s enthusiasm was infectious, and he couldn’t contain his excitement. The joy lighting up his face was unmistakable, a reminder of the simple pleasures in life. The dinner unfolded in a warm, easygoing rhythm, filled with laughter and the clinking of cutlery against plates. After polishing off the last bite of his meal, Josh leaned back in his chair, letting out a contented sigh that echoed his satisfaction.

Althea busied herself with clearing the table, swiftly gathering the used dishes and wiping down the surface with practiced ease. When Chase stood up to assist, she raised her hand, firmly but kindly refusing his offer.

“You can be of more help by keeping Josh company in the living room, Mr. Miller. That would be much more beneficial,” she insisted, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

So, Chase and Josh settled onto the couch, their laughter filling the space like a warm blanket. The post-dinner conversation was lively, dominated by Josh’s animated storytelling as he recounted tales from school and his adventures with friends.

“And guess what, Uncle Chase?” Josh exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement. “Yesterday, we got a new kid in class! His name’s Leo, and he said he didn’t like math. But I told him it’s easy—he just needs to learn from my mom!”

Chase clapped his hands together playfully, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “You really are your mother’s son, huh?” he laughed, genuinely enjoying the interaction.

From the kitchen, Althea chuckled softly, her heart warming at the exchange. “Don’t flatter me too much,” she called out, a teasing note in her voice.

“It’s not flattery. I’m being completely honest,” Chase replied, his tone serious yet playful.

“Oh, Uncle Chase, Miss Spencer said—” Josh continued, his voice bubbling with excitement, and the conversation flowed effortlessly from there.

And so it went on. Josh spoke with unbridled enthusiasm, while Chase listened intently, his responses filled with curiosity and laughter, always asking questions that encouraged the boy to delve deeper into his tales. He wasn’t just a passive listener; he was fully engaged, immersed in every detail Josh shared about his school life, his classmates, and even the snacks he enjoyed during recess.

“Thank you for spending the whole afternoon with him,” Althea said sincerely from the doorway, her voice full of gratitude.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Chase replied, a warm smile lighting up his face. “I genuinely enjoy spending time with Josh.”

“I think he really likes you,” she remarked, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

“He’s a great kid,” Chase murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from Josh’s forehead before stepping out of the room.

They made their way back to the living room, and a few moments later, Althea returned with two steaming mugs of coffee and a small tray of pastries she had picked up from the café earlier in the day. She handed one to Chase, who had settled into a chair on the porch, looking out at her small garden.

“Thanks,” he said, accepting the mug with a grateful smile. “You really know how to treat your guests.”

“And you really know how to make a little boy happy,” Althea replied with a soft laugh as she took a seat beside him.

The night was tranquil, the cool air lingering gently but not uncomfortably. The garden lights twinkled warmly, casting a soft glow that enveloped the surroundings in a serene atmosphere, making everything feel just a bit more peaceful, a bit more intimate.