HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 254

Althea inhaled deeply, forcing her lungs to fill with air, grounding herself before her emotions spilled over onto her son. She couldn’t let Josh misread her anger. When she finally turned to him, the rage vanished like smoke against the gentleness in his eyes.

“Nothing’s wrong, my little warrior. You don’t need to worry.” She smoothed his hair tenderly. “Did you have fun with Mr. Handsome?”

“Of course!” Josh beamed. “But since Mr. Handsome was busy, I mostly talked and played with Grandma. Oh—and I made lots of drawings for you, Mom! Do you want to see them?”

Althea’s smile softened. “I’d love to. But tell me first—did you finish your lunch?”

“I did! Grandma helped me peel the shrimp, and Mr. Handsome gave me a piece of fish with no bones, and oh—my ice cream!” Josh suddenly gasped, remembering the treat he had left behind. “Can I finish it before we go?”

Althea nodded.

“But, Mommy… do you know Grandma?”

Silence followed Josh’s question. No one seemed willing to answer.

“Does Grandma know my mom? When did you two meet?” Josh’s curious gaze bounced between Kate and Althea. “If you know each other, doesn’t that mean your friends? Then why are you acting like this, Mom? Did Grandma do something bad to you?”

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“Are you sure about this?” Chase asked again, his eyes betraying the worry he couldn’t hide from Althea.

“It’s fine, love.” Althea brushed her hand over the back of his, which had been holding her all this time. “I need to talk about this.”

Chase exhaled slowly. “You don’t have to force yourself. You know what’ll happen if you give in to her request—it’ll only ruin your mood.”

“I love how much you worry about me, but… really, it’s fine. I’ll be okay.”

“Al—”

Althea gave him a faint smile and gently loosened his grip. “I need to end this. If I keep avoiding it, they’ll keep barging through doors that don’t belong to them. Let me face it. Believe me—this will be the first and last warning I give them. If they cross the line again, I won’t hesitate to act.”

Chase’s jaw tightened, clearly unwilling, but when he met the resolve in her eyes, all he could do was nod in surrender. “All right. But remember, I’ll be right outside. The second you feel uncomfortable, I’m coming in.”

Althea’s expression softened, warmth flickering through the tension. “Thank you.”

Where had that timid Althea from eight years ago gone?

“Our relationship isn’t nearly close enough for us to ask after each other’s well-being.”

Kate’s lips curved faintly. “You’re right. Still… I’d like to know how my former daughter-in-law is doing. Is that so wrong?”

Althea’s stare sharpened, her voice edged with coldness. “Don’t bother with small talk, Mrs. Callister. Just tell me what you really want.”

“An admission, Althea,” Kate replied evenly, lifting the teacup that had been set on the table. It was still warm—freshly served just before they’d arrived.

“What kind of admission?” Althea’s smile twisted into a bitter curve. “That Daven is my ex-husband? I’ve already admitted that without you asking—if only to protect your son’s reputation.”

“That’s not it.” Kate set the teacup down carefully, though the sound it made still cut through the air. This time, she couldn’t hide the anger clawing its way to the surface.

“Why, Althea?” Her voice broke slightly, but she steadied it. “Why have you kept Josh from us all this time? He’s our blood too, Althea. He’s my grandson. My family! Do you think I don’t have the right to know?!”