HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 408

Chapter 408

“So you choose to believe Althea instead,” Selena pressed.

“I choose to listen to the person who doesn’t make the situation worse,” Nathan replied without hesitation.

Selena looked offended. “So now I’m the cause of the chaos?”

“Your attitude,” Nathan said calmly, yet cutting, “is what’s making things awkward and uncomfortable.”

Selena scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. Silence fell over them, leaving only the ticking of the wall clock -suddenly far too loud.

Moments later, the examination room door opened. Riana stepped out, her expression noticeably calmer. The moment she saw Althea and Nathan, she walked straight toward them.

Nathan wrapped his arms around his wife tightly. “I’m fine,” Riana said quickly. “It’s nothing. Just a light bruise.”

“Are you serious?” Nathan asked, disbelief in his voice. “I need to hear that directly from the doctor who examined you.” He loosened his embrace slowly, his eyes scanning her from head to toe, making sure there were no injuries he’d missed.

“I’m serious, darling,” Riana said with a gentle smile. “And-oh? Josh? You’re here?” She moved toward him and pulled him into a hug. “Why did you trouble yourself to come all the way here? What about school?”

Josh smiled faintly. “I took care of it, Grandma.”

Althea visibly relaxed at the sight of Riana. “Thank goodness you’re alright, Mom.”

Nathan rested a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “I told you-you need to be more careful.”

“I know,” Riana said with a small smile, then glanced toward the examination room. “How is Eli?”

“She’s fine too,” Althea replied. “The doctor said the cut isn’t deep, though it is fairly long. She’ll need a few stitches, but she’s calm now and doesn’t look frightened anymore.”

Before Althea could finish, Selena had already stepped forward.

“Did you hear that?” she said quickly. “Eli really is remarkable. A child that young, acting with such courage. You should be thanking her, shouldn’t you?”

Nathan clenched his fist. “She’s not a tool to prove anything.”

Selena turned sharply toward him. “What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean,” Nathan said, irritation clear in his voice, “is don’t use Eli to gain sympathy.”

“What Grandpa said is true.”

“Josh,” Althea called softly.

“I’m not trying to interfere, Mom,” Josh replied. “I’m just tired of hearing things being framed in a way that keeps putting pressure on everyone.”

Selena looked offended. “You’re just a child. You don’t know anything.”

“Exactly because I’m a child,” Josh shot back without hesitation, “I know the difference between caring about

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Chapter 408

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someone and using them.”

Nathan turned quickly toward him, resting a gentle hand on the top of Josh’s head.

“I don’t regret saying it,” Josh added more quietly, but with conviction.

“I know,” Nathan said, a proud smile forming.

The examination room door opened again. A nurse stepped out, followed by Eli, her temple now neatly bandaged. She looked pale, but calm.

Selena rushed forward, firing off questions-pressing the doctor as if what had happened to Eli were some grave catastrophes that demanded extraordinary measures. She insisted the injury needed special treatment, even though the doctor had already done everything possible, including an MRI to check for any head trauma.

It was excessive.

Yet no one gave her much reaction.

Riana was the first to approach. “How are you feeling, dear?”

“I’m okay, Grandma,” Eli answered gently. “I’m sorry for making everyone worry.”

Riana squeezed her hand. “Thank you. You were very brave.”

Eli gave a small smile, then looked at Althea. “I didn’t think. I just… didn’t want anyone to get hurt.”

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