HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 173

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 173**

A wave of whispers cascaded through the throng of reporters, the sharp clicks of cameras growing louder as eager lenses focused intently on her every nuanced expression.

“Does this mean…” a curious female journalist pressed, her tone laced with a mix of anticipation and urgency, “you’re contemplating filing for divorce from Mr. Daven Callister?”

“Divorce…?” Vanessa echoed softly, her fingers intertwining in her lap, a gesture that conveyed both anxiety and contemplation. She lowered her gaze, as if the mere mention of the word sent a chill through her heart. “I don’t know. I… I haven’t reached that point in my thoughts yet.”

“But Miss Vanessa,” the reporter persisted, her voice rising slightly, “how do you plan to respond to these swirling rumors? Everyone—especially your fans—are on the edge of their seats, eager to know what steps you’ll take next.”

An uneasy silence enveloped the room momentarily. Vanessa allowed the weight of the question to settle in the air, feeling the pressure of countless eyes upon her. Finally, with a small, painful shake of her head, she replied, “You’re right,” her voice barely above a whisper, lips curling into a faint but bittersweet smile. “No. Divorce is not an option for me. I… I love my husband too much. My love is more resilient than this pain. I have to believe there’s a reason behind Daven’s choices, a reason that has left me shattered. I choose to believe that, in time, he will come back to me.”

The room erupted into applause, a cacophony of admiration and support. Several reporters quickly began broadcasting her heartfelt words live, dubbing her “a devoted wife, brimming with love and humility.” Within moments, news outlets and social media platforms exploded with sympathy and admiration. Vanessa was lauded as the strong woman who opted for forgiveness over bitterness—granting her husband the opportunity to make amends.

From a corner of the room, Theo observed with satisfaction, a thin smile playing on his lips. Everything was unfolding precisely as he had orchestrated. Vanessa was firmly positioned as the victim, while Daven was being pushed further into the shadows.

“And what about your stance on the actions of that woman?” another reporter pressed, her voice cutting through the charged atmosphere. “Miss… Althea?”

Vanessa hesitated, her mind racing as she carefully considered her response. “I believe that since I’ve chosen to give Daven another chance, she should understand her place in this situation. If her method of seeking attention involved luring another woman’s husband, then it was futile. Daven and I still share love—and I am certain she was the one pursuing him, not the other way around.”

“So you plan to simply let this matter slide?”

Vanessa exhaled a long, weary sigh, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on her. “I haven’t made any decisions regarding her. Honestly, just hearing her name… it only deepens my sorrow.”

“Ah—please forgive me, Miss Vanessa,” the reporter stammered, visibly flustered by her vulnerability. “You truly embody the ideal wife. To forgive such a grave mistake from your husband without creating a spectacle… it’s remarkable.”

Vanessa’s lips formed another soft, fragile smile, tinged with sadness. “That’s the power of love, isn’t it?”

Just as the atmosphere swelled with admiration, a journalist seated at the back suddenly glanced down at his phone. His brows knitted together in confusion, and then his eyes widened in disbelief.

“Everyone—there’s a live broadcast!” he shouted, his voice slicing through the room, amplified by the mic still clipped to his collar. That single exclamation was enough to redirect every gaze in his direction.

“What do you mean?”

“From where?”

Theo immediately signaled to the technical crew. “Switch it back to the main feed! Don’t let that broadcast continue!”

But the massive screen behind the stage remained unyielding. Althea’s image stayed fixed in place, her voice echoing through the entire hall as if the system itself had been commandeered. No amount of command seemed capable of silencing her.

“This is impossible… sabotage!” Theo growled, his fists clenching at his sides, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

The reporters, who moments ago had been fixated on Vanessa, now turned as one toward the screen. Their attention was riveted, captivated by Althea’s calm, unwavering voice—a stark contrast to the rising panic spilling forth from the stage, especially from Vanessa.

The press wasted no time in seizing the moment. A revelation like this was pure gold, too shocking to ignore. Althea’s sudden appearance, her audacious claim—it was the story of the day.

“Hurry, we can’t miss this!” one reporter urged, fingers flying across the keyboard.

“I just got confirmation—yes, Althea is holding a live press conference. It’s not pre-recorded; it’s streaming right now. In SunCity, her appearance has already taken the top headline!”

“Get this out fast—we’ve got the exclusive scoop!”

VANESSA… BE PREPARED!!!