HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 263

“What are you up to today?” Chase’s voice was warm on the other end of the line, light and easy, as if he hadn’t had a single task since morning.

Althea let out a soft laugh, popping a slice of melon into her mouth. “Not much. All my things—and Josh’s too—are already packed. So when it’s time to head back to SunCity, we can just go.”

“Good.” Chase exhaled, the sound carrying relief. “I was worried you’d have trouble packing everything. I’m glad it went smoothly.”

“I’m used to handling things on my own, you know,” she teased, pretending to sulk. “Besides, Josh helped—though he did more running around than tidying.”

Chase laughed outright. “That sounds about right. Josh never sits still. It’d almost be strange to see him quiet, wouldn’t it?”

“You’re not wrong.” Althea smiled, savoring this moment of ease. “Aren’t you busy?”

“My hands are moving, my eyes are scanning papers, but I can’t stop myself from wanting to hear your voice. I miss you, Althea.”

“Oh my gosh!” Althea burst out laughing. “Are you going through puberty or something? Teasing your girlfriend whenever you feel like it?”

“Of course not.” Chase’s tone brightened with amusement. “But it’s the truth, and that’s the least I owe you.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”

“Oh, but where’s Josh? I don’t hear him.”

“He went to buy snacks outside the hotel—with Beni. I never let him go alone. I offered to go with him, but he wanted to try being independent. To buy something he wanted without me tagging along.”

“Hmm… somehow I doubt the snack is the only thing on his mind.”

Althea laughed again. “You really know Josh’s habits, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. He’s my son, Althea.” Chase’s voice swelled with unmistakable pride. “So—what’s your plan once you’re back in SunCity?”

Althea thought for a moment before answering. “Since things have finally calmed down, I want to go straight home. It’s been too long since I’ve been there. And the next day, don’t we have that meeting about the scholarship program with the Japanese ambassador? Mrs. Yoshida told me their delegation will be coming to discuss it. And not just Japan—the Australian embassy wants to meet too.”

There was a brief pause before Chase’s voice returned, steady but sharp. “And?”

“Vanessa lost. None of her claims were granted. Instead, she’s been ordered to take responsibility for the damages she caused while she was Daven’s wife.” Althea tried to keep her tone flat, though a tangle of emotions stirred inside her.

“I see,” Chase replied curtly. “You don’t need to think about it, love. That’s their mess, not yours.”

“Why would I think about them?” Althea scoffed. “They’re none of my concern,” she said firmly.

On the screen, Vanessa appeared as she exited the courthouse. Her face was pale, her eyes swollen, her appearance a shadow of the woman Althea had last seen at the earlier hearing. Perhaps the divorce had struck her harder than expected. The arrogance that once sharpened her gaze was gone; what remained was fear, stripped of pride.

One misfortune after another had fallen on her—each a consequence of her own doing. Her reputation was in shreds, uncertain if it could ever be mended. Offers that once would have poured in now slipped through her fingers. Worse still, the court held her accountable, both financially and publicly, forcing clarifications that only dragged her name deeper into disgrace.

The star who once glittered so brightly was dim now—whether she’d ever shine again was anyone’s guess.

Althea didn’t care.