HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 405

Chapter 405

Truthfully, if Eli really were Chase’s daughter born outside the marriage he once had with Althea, there might have been a flicker of sympathy in Althea’s heart. Even so, it would still be laced with deep disappointment- because Chase had hidden something this significant from her.

But right now, she couldn’t ask Chase anything. It felt as though Eli and Selena’s presence was a test-measuring just how far Althea’s trust in Chase could stretch. If only her husband were still alive…

No. I will remain suspicious of this woman. I still have a bad feeling about them, Althea told herself.

The morning mist hadn’t fully lifted when Selena finally stepped forward. Her face looked pale, her eyes swollen –whether from the cold air or a carefully displayed sorrow, it was hard to tell.

Watching her, Althea guessed that Selena and the girl might have arrived earlier than the rest.

“I’m sorry if we came ahead of time,” Selena said softly, breaking the silence. One hand gripped Eli’s shoulder, as if she needed the support. “Some things… aren’t easy to handle alone. Our life-” she hesitated, “-it’s not that simple.”

Riana turned toward her, her jaw tightening slightly. “No one is blaming you,” she replied flatly.

“But I feel guilty toward Eli,” Selena continued quickly, her voice trembling. “I know this family has already lost so much. I don’t want to add to that burden. That’s why I chose to stay silent all these years-to keep my distance, to live our lives out there.” She let out a long breath. “But there comes a point when I can’t hold it in anymore.”

Althea stood calmly beside Riana. “Holding back from what, Selena?”

Selena looked at her, hesitating for a moment. “From the reality of the life we live,” she said quietly. “That your life… means far more to this family than ours does. Different from us-when Eli is also Chase’s child. I’ve proven it. So why are we still doubted?”

Silence pressed in around them.

“Don’t twist your words,” Althea said, her voice low. “Say what you really mean.

Selena gave a bitter smile. “You’re always there for the Miller family—and they’re always there for you, Althea. Always at the center, without exception.” She glanced at Eli, gently stroking the girl’s hair. “Meanwhile, I’ve had to struggle on my own. Sometimes I wonder whether Chase ever thought of us the way he thought of you.

Riana drew in a sharp breath. “Enough,” she said, though her voice wavered. “Don’t ever question that, Selena.”

“That’s exactly why I’m asking-when will you trust us?” Selena pressed on. “We came with clear proof. There’s no way we would bring false data. Especially when what I’m fighting for is something you should be grateful for, Mrs. Miller.”

She looked at Riana with a faint smile. “Chase has another descendant. Aside from Althea’s child-though it may be difficult for us to be accepted. Recognition shouldn’t belong only to Althea’s child, should it? Especially love- above all-from Althea’s eldest.”

Althea stepped half a pace forward. “Listen carefully,” she said calmly. “I was married to Chase. That’s a fact. And even though I’m now married to Daven, my past with Chase is none of your concern.

Selena blinked, visibly startled. “I didn’t mean-

“Listen to me,” Althea cut in gently, but firmly. “If you want to know about Chase Miller-his life, what he did while he was alive, even his death-there’s no shortage of information about my late husband online. When he

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Chapter 408

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was buried years ago, social media was in an uproar, demanding exclusive coverage. As far as I know, his funeral was even broadcast live, considering his enormous contributions to the world of education in SunCity. There’s no way you couldn’t have looked him up.’

Riana turned to Althea, both surprised-and relieved.

Selena let out a short, bitter laugh. “You’re talking as if I came here to steal something.”

“I’m speaking so everything is clear,” Althea replied. “If your presence here is only meant to disrupt the Miller family’s peace, you should step back now.”

Her voice didn’t rise. And that was precisely what made it press down on Selena. The woman stared back at Althea with open irritation, her hands clenched tightly-an unmistakable sign of how much she hated being cut off.

Selena swallowed. “You’re intimidating me,” she shot back. “Here? In a place like this? In front of his grave? You really have no shame, Althea.”

“I’m setting boundaries,” Althea answered calmly. “There’s a difference. And I’m not shameless-I’m telling you the truth, the reality you should have faced years ago.”

She held Selena’s gaze without wavering. “This is your first and final warning. I hope you understand that.”

Eli shifted her feet, stepping slightly in front of Selena. “Mom, maybe we should-”

“No.” Selena tightened her grip on Eli’s arm. “Did you hear how they’re talking to us?”

Riana let out a long breath. “Selena, what my daughter-in-law said-”

“Isn’t Althea already married to someone else?” Selena interrupted. “Then why do you make it seem like she still has such a close place in this family? What’s the difference between her and me? No-between her and Eli. You treat her the same way you treat Josh and Grace. You should at least-

“Do not cross your line, Selena,” Riana cut in sharply. “You’ve already gone far beyond what’s acceptable.”

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