Lydia slowly shifted closer to him. She reached for Cale's hand and held it tightly. Its warmth had always given her comfort. But this time, that very comfort only made the tightness in her chest grow worse.
"This time," she said, her voice almost a whisper, "could you please not go?"
Cale looked at her gently. "My love, Lydia."
"Let Vincent lead the operation." Tears began to well in Lydia's eyes. "There's still Daniel, Gios, and anyone else you can give orders to. Let someone else take your place, Cale. Can't you?"
Lydia paused for a moment. Her fingers unconsciously moved to her still-flat stomach, as though reassuring herself that the tiny life growing inside her was still safe. "I can't bear it if..." Her words caught in her throat. "I can't bear to lose you."
Cale let out a long breath. Slowly, he drew Lydia into a careful embrace. He could feel her body trembling slightly. The fear she had been trying so hard to hide had finally spilled out.
"I know."
Lydia gently shook her head against his chest. "I'm not trying to stop you." Her voice was still trembling. "I know you won't stop until Silas is found. I just... want you to come back."
Cale closed his eyes. His embrace tightened, though he remained careful not to hold Lydia so tightly that she felt uncomfortable. "I promise."
Lydia slowly lifted her face to look at him.
"I won't be reckless."
In truth, it wasn't the answer she wanted to hear. But Lydia knew the man who had become her husband better than anyone. Cale never made promises he couldn't keep. He didn't say he wouldn't go, because they both knew that was impossible.
There was only one thing he could promise.
He would do whatever it took to come back.
Night slowly settled over the villa. The garden lights cast a warm golden glow across the quiet pathways. Inside the bedroom, Lydia had been asleep for the past hour. Her breathing was slow and steady, while one hand still rested atop the blanket, covering her stomach.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABEL
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back)
Chapter 168 is the climax. Yes Vanessa, Karma is real....
I’m crying rn 😭😭😭 It’s a whirlwind of emotions...
Hi Author! Your story is really good and captivating. I hope we’ll be able to read it until the end of the story. I hope you’ll update it soon...
Hello!...
Hi!...