**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 383**
Riana nodded with urgency, her eyes flickering with a mix of concern and determination. “Selena’s behavior has been quite surprising these last few days,” she remarked, her voice steady as she surveyed the faces of her family gathered in the room. “It’s almost as if she has made a decision—a firm declaration—that she genuinely belongs to this family now.”
Cale leaned forward, curiosity etched on his face. “What exactly has she done, Mom?”
“Just yesterday afternoon,” Riana began, her tone softening as she recalled the incident, “she arrived at the villa during Yellow Night. She sought me out, and it was clear she was distressed upon discovering that Nathan and I were not present. She felt like an outsider, as if she were being sidelined because she’s not yet considered one of us.”
Chris, who had been listening intently, muttered under his breath, “Good grief. That woman is really starting to reveal her true colors.”
Riana nodded in agreement, her expression serious as she turned her unwavering gaze to Cale. “And what about you, Cale? What insights do you have?”
Chris straightened his posture, irritation barely contained in his features. “Selena has been testing the limits of what Dad has provided her with—an apartment, transportation, and even making demands that feel… forced. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind giving her a car and a driver for her convenience. But I’ve started receiving complaints about her behavior. Apparently, she’s been crossing lines.”
A low, suppressed growl escaped Riana’s lips, a sound of frustration and protectiveness.
“And what shocked me the most,” Chris continued, his voice rising slightly, “was when she decided to visit SunRise. She checked out several facilities there with Eli in tow, almost as if she wanted to show that girl where she should be enrolling.”
“My God,” Riana muttered, her eyes widening in disbelief. “With actions like that, I can’t help but doubt that her intentions are simply to introduce us to Eli. What else did she do while at SunRise?”
“Not much,” Chris replied, shaking his head. “According to the senior supervisor at SunRise—the one who is notoriously strict about student records—she only inquired about the intake quota and the application process. Then she took a quick stroll around before leaving.”
Cale rested his chin in his hands, a frown deepening on his face. “But why SunRise? Didn’t Dad mention that Eli is enrolled at Saint Loisse? Wouldn’t it make more sense for her to visit there instead?”
Nathan nodded slowly, his brow furrowing in contemplation. “You’re right. Selena has no business with the children’s foundation—unless there’s something she wants.”
“Exactly,” Chris interjected, snapping his fingers sharply. “That’s why we need to exercise extreme caution around her. I ran another background check. She attended the same university as Chase, but there’s absolutely no record of any contact between them after graduation. This time, the information is solid. I even gathered evidence related to Selena’s past connection with Chase.”
Nathan’s expression darkened. “But how could she claim that Eli is Chase’s child? Was Chase really her father?”
“And that’s the part that confounds me the most,” Chris said, leaning back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as if searching for answers. “The DNA test from the hospital supports her claim, but I can’t trust it entirely. I followed up with the lab department, and the doctor who handled it confirmed the results. Still, everything feels too neat, too convenient—as if they were trying to avoid delving into the details.”
Cale spoke quickly, his voice tense and urgent. “Chris, you need to dig deeper. Why is that doctor siding with Selena? Don’t just scratch the surface.”
“I’m already on it,” Chris replied, his tone resolute. “I’ll keep you updated on the developments regarding the DNA test.” He paused, taking a deep breath, as if bracing himself for what he was about to say next. “And… there’s something else.”
Cale’s eyes narrowed as he focused on his brother. “What is it?”
Chris picked up his phone, which had been vibrating incessantly. “It’s Erick. He just sent a report that caught me completely off guard. He’s finished rechecking the investigation results concerning Nora’s accident.”
The mere mention of Nora’s name cast a heavy silence over the room, tension thickening the air.


VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back)