HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 80

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 80**

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Josh dashed down the hallway, his small feet pounding against the polished floor, each step reverberating with the thrill of anticipation. As soon as he caught sight of his mother, a radiant smile broke across his face, lighting up his features.

“Mommy!” he exclaimed, his voice bubbling with joy as he leapt into her embrace, wrapping his tiny arms around Althea’s waist.

With a gentle hand, she tousled his soft, tousled hair, pressing a warm kiss to the crown of his head. “How was your day, sweetheart?” she asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity.

“It was so much fun!” Josh replied, practically bouncing on his heels as he grasped her hand, his bright blue eyes sparkling with excitement. “Miss Spencer gave us an assignment to draw our favorite animal—and I drew a dragon!”

Althea’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, her heart swelling with pride. “Wow, isn’t that a bit tricky?” she inquired, genuinely impressed by his creative endeavor.

“I finished it! I’ll show you when we get home,” he declared, his enthusiasm infectious.

Althea nodded, her heart warmed by his eagerness.

“But that wasn’t even the best part,” Josh added, his eyes widening as if he were about to reveal a grand secret.

She arched an eyebrow, guiding him out of the school building, their hands intertwined. “Oh? Then what was?”

As they made their way toward the car, Josh did a little hop, his excitement bubbling over. “I had lunch with my friends and… Mr. Daven came!”

Althea felt her heart skip a beat, nearly halting in her tracks. “Mr. Daven?” she echoed, her voice steadying itself even as a wave of anxiety washed over her.

“Yeah!” Josh looked up at her, his innocent smile radiating warmth. “He’s nice, Mommy. He came to see our school. I think he talked to Miss Tania, then he had lunch with me in class. My friends said Mr. Daven is kind and handsome. He didn’t even mind sitting on the carpet with us! We shared our lunch together. Maureen even gave him her favorite milk box.”

Althea felt a knot form in her stomach, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. She focused on her breathing, trying to maintain her composure.

“He told me I did a great job in the play and that I’m a good reader because I read him a story too. The Lost Mousedeer in the Forest, remember, Mom?”

“I see,” she managed to reply, her mind racing.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Josh said eagerly as he opened the car door and climbed inside, waiting for her to join him. As soon as she settled into the driver’s seat, he continued, “He asked about the family tree we made in class. I told him about my dad being in heaven. You said that, right, Mommy? That Daddy’s already in heaven?”

Althea nearly slammed on the brakes, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Why would you ask something like that?” she blurted out, a mix of surprise and concern flooding her voice.

“I just… I wish I had a dad like Mr. Daven,” Josh said, his face lighting up with a bright smile that melted her heart. “I think he’d be a good dad.”

Oh, God…

Of all the encounters, all the coincidences that had unraveled—couldn’t this meeting between Josh and Daven be the last? Just twice and no more?

Althea felt a wave of panic rise within her. What would she do if the truth she had buried so deeply ever came to light?

No.

She couldn’t even bear to entertain the thought.

“I need to take action,” she resolved silently, determination coursing through her veins. “I can’t let this continue any longer and start affecting Josh.”