HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 171

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 171**

Chase’s voice rang out like a blade drawn from its sheath, sharp and unwavering. “We’re not as foolish as you think,” he retorted, his eyes narrowing with a fierce intensity. “Let me make this crystal clear—the Miller family stands unwaveringly behind Althea. If Vanessa dares to escalate this situation—especially if she ever lays a hand on Josh—you won’t have the luxury of time to defend anyone. The moment she crosses that line, we will retaliate without hesitation.”

A cold wave of dread washed over Daven at the mention of Josh’s name, sending shivers racing through his veins. “Don’t talk nonsense,” he replied, his voice strained. “I would never allow Vanessa to come anywhere near Josh. He’s… he’s just a child. She can’t be that cruel.”

“Is that truly what you believe?” Chase’s tone turned sharper, almost laced with mockery. “Then you’d better start praying you’re right. Because if Josh gets pulled into this sordid game between you and Vanessa… Althea won’t remain silent. And neither will I.”

With that, the line went dead, leaving an oppressive silence that pressed heavily against Daven’s chest. His fists clenched tightly, thoughts spiraling into a chaotic whirlwind. If Vanessa truly had knowledge of Josh… then the danger they faced was far more severe than he had ever dared to contemplate.

Finally, Arsen broke the suffocating silence. “Sir… is there truly a chance that Mrs. Vanessa knows about the boy?” His voice was tentative, laced with concern.

Daven remained silent, his gaze fixed on the window, staring into the distance with vacant eyes, haunted by his own fears. One thought echoed relentlessly in his mind: If Vanessa had uncovered his life in SunCity… then she must have already discovered the existence of Josh.

***

The next morning, at precisely seven o’clock, Daven had just completed his morning routine, preparing himself for a day at the office in the bustling heart of Mighatan, when the apartment door burst open with a force that startled him. Arsen rushed in, his face a canvas of urgency and alarm.

“Sir… you need to see this,” he exclaimed, his breath coming in quick bursts.

He tossed a business magazine and a tablet onto the table with a sense of urgency that made Daven’s heart race. Straightening up, Daven reached for the phone Arsen handed him, a sense of foreboding building within him. The moment his eyes fell upon the screen, disbelief washed over him, his heart sinking.

The headline blared back at him like an accusation:

“WOMAN ALLEGED TO BE THE MISTRESS OF A SUCCESSFUL MIGHATAN BUSINESSMAN—USING HER CHILD TO SEDUCE HIM?”

The first photograph depicted Althea holding Josh’s hand, taken from a distance that felt invasive. The second shot captured Daven mid-conversation with Josh outside a café, his gestures frozen in time. The accompanying caption was biting and cruel:

“Because he has no children of his own, Daven Callister seems unusually taken with the son of a mysterious woman named Althea. Is she exploiting the businessman’s weakness to win his heart?”

“This is insane,” Daven choked out, his voice hoarse, trembling as he scrolled through line after line of the damning article.

Arsen lowered his head, the weight of the situation settling heavily between them. “The story’s already gone viral, sir. It’s not just online portals—major magazines and newspapers have picked it up. Public opinion has turned against Mrs. Althea in an instant. They’re calling her a seductress, an opportunist, a cheap woman—”

Could Althea withstand all this hatred? And what if Josh truly got hurt because of Vanessa’s vile schemes?

His fists clenched tightly at his sides. No. I won’t allow them to be hurt.

He snatched his blazer from the chair and strode out, determination coursing through him as he sought to catch up with Arsen, who was likely already arranging a meeting. Just as he reached the door, his phone buzzed insistently in his hand. Thomas’s name illuminated the screen, a beacon of urgency.

“If you don’t have a real solution, I don’t want to hear a word from you,” Daven snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Thomas chuckled lowly, the sound grating on Daven’s nerves. “I do have the best scenario, Mr. Daven. But only if you’re willing to approve it.”

Daven’s steps slowed, a sense of unease creeping into his gut. “Tell me,” he demanded, his tone hardening.

“Well… can I get in touch with Miss Althea? That is, of course, if you’ll allow it.”

A growl tore from Daven’s throat, contained yet sharp. “Then stop dancing around it and tell me what your damn plan is!”