HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 270

Her eyes stayed fixed on the ER doors that had just shut tight. Her sobs broke free again, her knees threatening to give out—until a hotel staff member steadied her by the shoulders.

“Ma’am, please wait in the lounge. They’ll do everything they can.”

Before she could even wipe her tears, a second ambulance screeched to a halt. Beni was wheeled out—his massive frame now frighteningly limp. His body was covered in wounds, blood seeping through hastily wrapped bandages. An oxygen tube pressed against his face.

“Adult patient, severe trauma, possible internal bleeding!” a paramedic shouted as they rushed his stretcher toward another ER bay.

Althea clapped a trembling hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. “Beni! Oh God!”

The corridor erupted with chaos—footsteps pounding, stretcher wheels rattling, monitors beeping in uneven rhythms. The sting of antiseptic mixed with the sharp metallic tang of blood, saturating the air.

Althea collapsed onto a chair in the waiting area, her face ashen. Her cold hands gripped her phone like it was the only thing anchoring her. Every second stretched into eternity; every creak of the ER doors had her snapping her head up, her heartbeat racing.

“Why is it taking so long? How’s Josh? What’s happening to him?” she muttered over and over. She tried to stay calm, but the reality before her eyes was merciless.

If only she could take Josh’s place in there—bear the wounds, the pain—so he wouldn’t have to.

“Oh God! Please save my son… and Beni, too.”

“I’m sure your son will be all right.” The hotel staff spoke again, his tone more hopeful this time. “Just hold on a little longer, Mrs. Althea.”

Moments later, Chase arrived, breathless, his face betraying the panic coursing through him. He hurried to Althea, who was still sobbing in the corridor.

“Althea!” Chase dropped to a crouch in front of her, gripping her hands tightly. “I’m here.” He closed his eyes for a beat, then looked into hers again. “I want Josh to be okay too. I prayed the whole way here—begging God to hear me this time.”

“Please, calm down first, Althea.” Daven exhaled slowly. “Felicia doesn’t have any hidden agenda. She…” His eyes flicked toward Felicia before he gave a faint shake of his head. “She only wanted to know how Josh is doing.”

Althea’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you… you told her?”

“It wasn’t like that,” Felicia interjected quickly. “I heard it from your mother, Althea. Truly. Daven didn’t tell me anything about Josh. It was me who pressed him—who forced him to admit what he’s been trying so hard to cover with reasonable excuses.”

“Then why are you here?” Althea’s voice was taut, urgent. “I—no, Josh doesn’t need visitors outside his family. And last I checked, you’re not part of ours.”

The words struck deep, cutting Felicia to the core. She lowered her gaze, her fingers twisting together anxiously. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Daven, silently pleading for support—but no. She couldn’t lean on him now. She had to face Althea on her own. Rejection from her was something Felicia had long known she deserved.

“I know… I deserve to be turned away. But please—let me stay for a little while. At least until I know how Josh is doing—”