HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 61

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

**Chapter 61**

The dining table at the Callister family estate was, as always, a picture of perfection. Each plate gleamed under the soft glow of the morning light, and the aroma of freshly toasted bread blended seamlessly with the rich scent of strong black coffee, creating an inviting atmosphere. Daven sat at the head of the table, his spoon tracing slow, thoughtful circles in his coffee as if he were trying to decipher the depths of his own thoughts. Across from him, Kate Callister, with her meticulous grace, ladled a velvety cream soup into her bowl, her movements deliberate and precise.

“So,” Kate began, her piercing gaze locking onto her son, “did you have a fight with Vanessa?”

Daven’s brow knitted together in confusion. “What makes you think that?”

“Because if you didn’t, then why did you come home alone last night?” Her eyes remained fixed, unwavering. Ever since Daven and Vanessa had moved out of the main house, their visits had dwindled. Yet, they had always arrived together, a united front. Kate had never minded their absence from family gatherings; after all, they were married. It was only natural for work to take precedence over family obligations. But last night had left a nagging feeling in her gut, an unsettling sense that something was amiss.

“I was at a banquet not far from here,” Daven replied, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.

“You didn’t answer my texts last night either. Is Vanessa still too busy with filming? Photoshoots?”

Instead of answering, Daven took a measured sip of his coffee, letting the warmth wash over him.

“Tch! That woman is unbelievable,” Kate muttered, her irritation bubbling to the surface. “Is her work really more important than you, her husband?”

“Mom,” Daven warned, placing his cup down with a deliberate clink, the sound reverberating in the tense air. “I’ve never made an issue of her career. She’s a rising star in the acting and modeling world—it’s perfectly normal for her to have a packed schedule.”

“Still using that same excuse, huh?” Felicia interjected from her end of the table, her voice laced with skepticism. She hadn’t intended to join the fray, but the frequency of these arguments had become impossible to ignore over the past year.

Initially, Felicia had been enamored with Vanessa Blake. The joy she felt when her eldest brother finally married the woman everyone believed was his perfect match was palpable. The laughter they shared, the way they had found each other again after Daven’s first marriage—one that felt more like a push than a choice—had seemed like the fairy tale ending they all deserved.

It should have been the perfect ending.

But things had shifted.

“She didn’t even visit me when I was in the hospital,” Felicia added, her voice tight with suppressed emotion. “She just sent a bouquet and a box of fancy chocolates. Even the card was signed by her assistant.”

Kalina snorted softly, unimpressed. “That’s generous compared to what I got. She didn’t even show up for my birthday party. Remember that fiasco? She posted an old photo of us with a caption that felt… outdated. Like that alone could convince everyone she still cared.”

“Exactly,” Felicia snapped her fingers in agreement, her frustration mirroring Kalina’s.

Kate set her spoon down with a sharp tap against the bowl, her patience waning. “I just don’t understand, Daven. She used to be so sweet—attentive, thoughtful. Even before the wedding, she always found time to check in, to care. And now? She feels like a stranger in this family.”

“I told you, Vanessa’s been busy, Mom,” Daven finally replied, his voice calm yet tinged with weariness. “Her new series is a massive hit. The offers haven’t stopped coming—endorsements, film deals, appearances…”

“Everyone’s busy, Daven,” Kate shot back, her tone rising in frustration. “But no one forgets their family. Especially not their spouse.”

Daven remained silent, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air.

“You haven’t forgotten how your father treated me, have you?” Kate pressed on, her voice quieter but no less intense. “No matter how packed his schedule was, your father always made time. For me, for you kids. For this family.”

And no—Daven hadn’t forgotten. Not even for a moment.

“Don’t tell me you’ve talked about it,” Kate cut him off again, her frustration palpable. “If you had, you wouldn’t dodge the question every time I bring it up. You’re the CEO, Daven. You have control. If Vanessa’s afraid of losing work because of a pregnancy, isn’t it within your power to provide everything she could ever need?”

“This isn’t about money,” Daven replied, his voice steady, though his eyes hardened with resolve. “It’s about a decision we made together. I’m respecting her choice.”

“A decision you made together?” Kate let out a sharp huff, disbelief coloring her tone. “You call that a mutual decision just because you’re too afraid to stand your ground? Vanessa is running your life like she’s the one supporting you.”

“That’s enough, Mom.” Daven stood up abruptly, smoothing out his suit jacket, the tension in the room crackling around him. “I need to head to the office.”

“And there it is—running away, as always!” Kate’s voice rose, echoing through the grand dining room, a stark contrast to the elegant setting. “You avoid this conversation every single time. But let me remind you of one thing, Daven Callister—this family’s legacy isn’t something you can keep putting off like it doesn’t matter.”

Daven froze mid-step, turning back to face her, his eyes flashing with intensity. “I know my responsibilities, Mom. But I also know where the line is.”

With that, he pivoted and walked toward the hallway, silence enveloping him like a shroud.

Just before he reached the doorway, he paused, his voice reverberating back to her—calm yet laced with a raw edge.

“Watch how far you go when you talk about this—especially to Vanessa. No matter what, she’s my wife. And maybe, just maybe—that’s exactly why she’s been pulling away. The pressure you’ve put on her about getting pregnant… it’s weighing on her. She’s stressed, and I won’t allow that to continue.”

He hesitated for a moment, his back still turned to them.

“Please… respect us.”

And with those words, he left, the weight of the conversation lingering in the air long after he had gone.