HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 286

The days after the surgery stretched long, but they were filled with color. Althea took turns watching over Josh. When she needed rest, Chase or Daven would step in. Sometimes Felicia came to bring a bit of cheer, and Kate—though still recovering from the donor procedure, insisted on visiting her grandson anyway.

“You don’t have to push yourself, Mrs. Kate,” Althea would say, feeling a twinge of guilt. But Kate always brushed it off.

“I’ve missed Josh, Althea. Don’t worry about my health. Worry about your future with Chase. What can I do to help you?”

Ah… when she said things like that, what could Althea possibly reply?

Because Josh still needed close monitoring, Chase’s parents suggested they stay in Mighatan for a while. Arsen, Daven’s assistant, helped them find a comfortable home—a place with a wide yard and enough rooms for everyone who wanted to take turns caring for Josh.

At first, the atmosphere was stiff. Althea kept her distance from the Callister family. Daven tread carefully. Chase, meanwhile, made sure he was always the one closest to Althea and Josh. But as time went on, the walls began to crumble.

Josh was at the center of it all. Even though his movements were limited, he never lost his spark.

And because of that spark, the house slowly grew warmer. They no longer felt so awkward around each other; interactions settled into their natural boundaries.

“Mom, look! I can move my ankle!” Josh’s voice rang with delight as he showed off the tiny movement again and again, his determination shining through.

Althea beamed, raising her thumb. “That’s amazing, sweetheart!”

Josh laughed. “Come on, Daddy. Help me walk again—but then let go so I can try on my own.”

“All right, all right,” Chase chuckled. “At this rate, I bet in less than three months you’ll be walking just like before.”

“Yay! I’ve missed school so much, Dad. Miss Spencer told me my class has already started practicing their dance for the school play. Too bad I can’t join.” His little shoulders slumped.

“That’s okay. Maybe not this time, but next time, I know you’ll be there. Miss Spencer told you the same thing, didn’t she?” Althea moved closer, her hand smoothing his hair with gentle affection.

Josh looked up at her; his eyes still shadowed with disappointment.

“You can be patient while you keep working on your legs, can’t you? Daddy’s here to cheer you on. Mister Handsome drops by to keep you company sometimes. And every day you have Granddad and Grandmom around, right?”

“Yes, you’re right,” he murmured softly.

“And don’t forget Grandma Kate, Aunt Felicia, and Aunt Kalina, who often stop by to study with you. You’ve got a whole team, haven’t you?” Althea kept her voice bright, determined not to let her son sink into discouragement.

Daven clenched his fists, fighting the sharp ache climbing into his chest, pressing until he could hardly breathe.

“Sir… don’t you want to go in?” Arsen’s voice broke through his reverie—gentle, but careful. He had been watching long enough to see how his employer froze, rooted to a scene so simple, yet so cruelly painful.

Arsen understood that hollow weight, the longing for something already beyond reach. And that was what Daven was feeling now—yearning to be part of that little family, yet knowing he was nothing more than an outsider who no longer belonged.

The question pulled a long, heavy sigh from Daven. “No. Just give Josh’s favorite pizza box to one of the staff. I still have work to finish.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How’s the progress with Mine Construction? Their CEO’s back from Canada, isn’t he? They still haven’t updated us, have they?”

“Not yet, sir.” Arsen suppressed a sigh of his own. He already knew how this would play out.

He and several others in the division tied to that project would end up logging extra hours, working late nights and weekends. The pay would be fair, of course, but still—

Lord, I beg you… please send the right woman into our boss’s life. Someone who can stop Daven Callister from tormenting us like this!