HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 78

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

**Chapter 78**

“Miss Spencer says good friends share,” one of the children proclaimed with an air of confidence that seemed to resonate with the others, who nodded vigorously in agreement, their faces lit up with enthusiasm.

Daven couldn’t help but smile, genuinely moved by the innocence of their exchange. “That’s a beautiful lesson,” he replied, his voice warm with appreciation. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

“Come on, Mr. Daven! Eat with us!” one of the kids urged, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Yeah, Mr. Daven,” chimed in Maureen, her shyness evident as she shyly extended a small strawberry milk box towards him. “Here, this is for you.”

Daven’s smile widened as he accepted the offering. “Why, thank you, Little Girl! And what might your name be?”

“Maureen,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with pride.

“Well then, Maureen, I gratefully accept your gift,” he said, his heart swelling with warmth.

The group continued their lunch, laughter bubbling around them like a gentle melody, the air thick with the sweet scent of innocence and joy. Daven found himself surrounded by an array of food—nuggets, sandwich halves, and even a juice box—all freely offered by the children who saw him not as a mere adult but as a cherished member of their small circle.

“Mr. Daven,” Josh piped up, his eyes wide with curiosity, “do you like the story of the clever mouse-deer who got lost in the forest?”

Daven tilted his head, intrigued. “Hmm… I don’t think I’ve heard that one before. Would you be willing to read it to me?”

“Would that be okay?” Josh asked, his enthusiasm bubbling just beneath the surface.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Daven grinned, his eyes sparkling with encouragement. “Unless, of course, you’d rather not.”

“Not at all!” Josh declared with firm conviction. “I’ll read it after lunch. Will you wait for me?”

“Yes, Mr. Daven! Just wait a little while after we finish eating!” another child chimed in, their voice filled with excitement. “Josh is really good at reading stories. We love storytime!”

Daven nodded, a sense of delight washing over him. “Then I’ll definitely wait,” he assured them, his heart swelling with joy.

Josh laughed, his voice bubbling over with happiness, and Daven found himself taken aback by the depth of emotion that washed over him. This moment felt utterly foreign to his meticulously structured life. Never had he imagined himself sitting cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a group of children, sharing their food—no, receiving it from them. Here he was, a man who could easily buy out an entire food manufacturing company, being handed chicken nuggets by a six-year-old.

Yet, amidst the laughter and lightness, a single question nagged at him, clawing at the edges of his mind, demanding attention.

“Josh,” Daven said, keeping his voice soft and inviting, “can I ask you something? What’s your full name?”

Josh blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question. “But… Mommy said I’m not supposed to tell strangers.”

“Am I a stranger to you?” Daven inquired gently, his heart racing slightly.

“Aren’t you Josh’s friend, Mr. Daven?” David interjected, confusion etched across his young face. “I’m David Anderson, Mr. Daven. My mom’s name is Emily Rose, and my dad is Pitt Anderson.”

“Thank you, David. That’s a very cool name,” Daven replied, giving him an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

“Useless,” Daven muttered under his breath, dismissing the thought. “Forget it. Just make sure everything I assigned you gets done properly.”

He pulled out his phone, fingers flying over the screen as he typed a message.

Daven: Have you started looking into that woman in SunCity? If not, find out everything you can about her. Don’t miss a single detail.

With a heavy sigh, he leaned back against his seat and closed his eyes, seeking solace in the darkness behind his eyelids.

Josh’s face flashed before him, his laughter ringing like a distant bell, the way he had offered food with such kindness, the warmth in his voice. All of it played in Daven’s mind like an old film reel he couldn’t pause.

If this was real…

If Josh truly was her son…

Then what? What was he supposed to do with that revelation?

Joshua Grayson. The child of his ex-wife. Had Althea remarried? Was her husband the one who had passed away? How had she managed to live after that? Had she raised Josh all on her own?

But… why did he care?

Why did he feel an insatiable urge to learn everything about her?