HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

“I believe this tie complements you best,” Althea said softly, selecting one from Daven’s vast assortment. She was well aware that he merely tolerated her presence, but she pushed aside the sting of embarrassment. What she had planned needed to succeed—at least until their agreement came to an end.

After all, they would never cross paths again. She might as well allow herself to live in a fleeting dream—a romantic illusion where her beloved husband existed solely for her. And when that dream dissolved, she would return to her harsh reality: a woman destined to walk her path alone.

Althea carried out her part with quiet dignity, never demanding anything in return. As long as Daven didn’t reject her outright, she took it as a form of acceptance—even if it was begrudging. Yet every gesture she made, every word she uttered, left impressions that Daven could no longer dismiss.

He raised a brow, a hint of irritation in his gaze. “I can dress myself.”

“I know,” Althea replied with a gentle smile. “But today, please let me choose something for you.”

She carefully placed a suit and matching tie on the couch.

“Do whatever you want,” Daven muttered without sparing her a glance. “You’re wasting your time on something utterly pointless.”

Althea turned to face him, unshaken. Not hurt. Not offended. The faint smile remained on her lips.

“Perhaps. But bear with me for this last month.”

“Daven, darling!”

A sharp, shrill voice pierced the quiet, halting Althea mid-step.

Daven, too, hastily slipped into his blazer, as if someone was already waiting for him.

“Is that… Miss Vanessa?” Althea asked quietly.

“I don’t know why she’s here so early,” Daven muttered, stepping out of the bedroom. Althea followed closely behind, doing her best to maintain her composure.

In the living room, Vanessa and Kate Callister were engrossed in animated conversation. Their faces brightened even more when Daven appeared. But—

“What are you doing here?” Kate sneered, her eyes narrowing as she glared at the woman trailing behind Daven.

Althea chose to smile softly. “I was just seeing my husband off to work.”

Vanessa laughed loudly, and Kate joined in, their mirth dripping with mockery.

“Oh my God! Did you hear that, Vanessa?” Kate said between chuckles.

“What a shameless woman,” Vanessa scoffed, folding her arms defiantly.

“That’s enough,” Daven interrupted sharply, unwilling to start the day with drama. “What brings you here this early, darling?”

Vanessa quickly wiped the annoyance from her face and clung to Daven with a practiced sweetness, ignoring Althea’s soft, wistful, resigned gaze. Because this was how it was meant to be. Vanessa belonged with Daven. Althea was just an outsider in a house that had never truly been hers.

“I want you to take me to the studio, sweetheart,” Vanessa purred, her voice dripping with false affection.

Daven looked mildly irritated but said nothing. There was little he could do but comply. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Althea watched the scene unfold, steeling herself. This wasn’t the first time—and it wouldn’t be the last—that she had to endure Daven and Vanessa flaunting their closeness in front of her.

She should have become numb to the pain by now.

Yet, the ache inside her chest remained sharp.

“Drive safely, Daven,” she whispered quietly.

Her words caught his attention. He paused briefly and turned his head.

Althea offered him a faint smile. Her warm brown eyes met his, filled with a gentle sincerity.

“Have a good day,” she added softly.

Vanessa swiftly grabbed Daven’s hand, pulling him toward the door. Her expression tightened with barely concealed anger. If it weren’t for her scheduled appointment at the studio, she would have spent the rest of the day making sure Althea understood her place.

Damn it. This was all Daven’s fault for giving that woman too much freedom!

The moment they left, Althea exhaled a long, shaky breath. The burning ache in her chest didn’t lessen. She needed to steady herself. But just as she turned to leave the living room, a sharp slap landed hard on her cheek.

“Is… is this dress too much?” she asked, nerves fluttering beneath his intense stare—he had never looked at her quite like this before. “If it is, I can change into something else.”

“There’s no need,” he said quietly. “Let’s go. The car’s waiting.”

During the ride, Daven remained mostly silent. But unlike usual, he didn’t distance himself. He sat calmly beside her, and for the first time, didn’t recoil when Althea instinctively reached out to adjust his tie.

Her hand paused as her fingers brushed his collar. Their eyes met—just for a fleeting moment—but it was enough to make Daven inhale sharply and turn his face toward the window.

“Ah, I’m sorry,” Althea said quickly, pulling her hand away to give him space.

Daven still said nothing.

“I won’t stand too close to you tonight,” she said eventually, her voice steady but careful. “Since you’ll soon be marrying Vanessa, I think it’s only right for me to know my place.”

Daven turned slowly, his gaze sharp and piercing. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll just stay slightly behind you,” she explained softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she tried to sound reasonable. “Maybe to your right, a little farther back. Enough for you to know I’m there… but not in the way. I don’t want to cause any misunderstandings.”

Daven closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, his voice low and cold. “If you dare step away from me or pretend you’re not my wife in front of them,” he said quietly, threateningly, “you’ll regret it.”

Althea froze. She stared at him, uncertain of what she had just heard. “Daven, I only—”

“There’s no ‘only,’” he snapped, narrowing his eyes. “Tonight, you’ll stand beside me. As my wife. As you should.”

A heavy silence settled between them.

Althea lowered her gaze, letting a few strands of hair fall to shield her face.

“…All right,” she whispered at last. “If that’s what you want.”

But deep inside, one question echoed relentlessly in her heart.

Why? Why is Daven doing this?