HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 92

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

**Chapter 92**

“What the hell is this supposed to mean?” Daven’s voice cut through the air, taut with exasperation. He felt the weight of frustration pressing down on him like a heavy shroud. He had been so close to the truth, so tantalizingly near to unearthing the answers that had haunted him for weeks. It would have been disingenuous to say that he hadn’t placed his faith in Rio’s investigation—especially considering the DNA test he had discreetly ordered, away from prying eyes and ears.

But now, as the reality of the situation sunk in, he found himself grappling with disappointment. He had not anticipated Rio stumbling upon so many obstacles—obstacles that seemed to multiply with every passing moment.

“I thought it would just take a day, with the kid under constant supervision,” Rio murmured, his voice thick with frustration as he exhaled a heavy sigh. “But I couldn’t even get close. Not once. I even had one of my guys pose as a school inspector, and still, getting to Josh was like trying to catch smoke with bare hands.”

“Idiots,” Daven spat, his anger bubbling over like a pot left too long on the stove. “How hard can it possibly be to approach a child his age? You could’ve taken him out to the park! Bought him some candy! Done anything to coax him away from his guardians! Sure, he’s clever, but he’s still just a kid. It shouldn’t be this impossible to snag a strand of his hair!”

If only it were that straightforward. Rio didn’t even attempt to defend himself. Instead, he sat rigidly across from Daven, his gaze fixed downward, the atmosphere in the study thick with unspoken tension. The air felt charged, as if it were alive with the storm of Daven’s anger, pressing in on them, making even the act of breathing feel laborious.

“Josh is never really alone, sir,” Rio explained in a low voice, almost as if he were trying to justify his failure. “Every single day, there are at least two or three people keeping an eye on him. Sometimes it’s a middle-aged woman. Other times, a younger man—always wearing sunglasses. But the one who stands out the most—”

He hesitated, clearly weighing his words carefully. “There’s a man named Chase. I’ve mentioned him to you before, the one who runs the foundation where Josh goes to school. Their relationship is… quite close. I didn’t expect it, but over the past week of surveillance, Chase has personally come to pick Josh up several times.”

Daven turned his head sharply, his eyes locking onto Rio’s as if he were trying to comprehend the gravity of what he was hearing. “You’re… absolutely certain?”

Rio nodded firmly, without a hint of hesitation.

As soon as he did, Daven leaned back in his leather chair, his eyes drifting up to the ceiling as if the smooth surface might somehow help him think more clearly. “Is someone trying to cover this up?”

“I believe so,” Rio replied softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “It feels like there’s a system in place protecting that boy. And if I had to trust my instincts… Chase is a significant part of it.”