HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 342

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 342**

“I know.” Althea enveloped Daven in a warm embrace, her arms wrapping around him like a comforting cocoon. She felt the tremors in his body, the weight of his fears pressing down on him. “I know, Dav. But you’re not alone in this.”

Daven leaned his forehead against her shoulder, his breath hitching as he fought to contain the storm of emotions within him. “I’m terrified of losing her,” he confessed, the words escaping him in a choked whisper.

Althea’s hand moved soothingly across his back, her touch steady yet gentle, a lifeline in the chaos. “We’ll face this together,” she promised, her voice a soft anchor amidst the turmoil.

“I’m scared,” he admitted, his voice trembling like a fragile leaf in the wind. He clutched her tighter, inhaling the familiar scent of his wife—her warmth, her essence—like it was the only thing keeping him anchored in this turbulent sea of uncertainty.

“Chris helped me pick up the kids,” Althea murmured, sensing a slight easing of tension in his shoulders as she spoke.

“Oh… he did?” Daven replied, his mind momentarily distracted from the gravity of the situation.

Josh and Grace, sensing their father’s distress, stepped closer, wrapping their small arms around Daven in a collective gesture of support. Chris and Arsen lingered at a respectful distance, allowing the intimate moment to unfold without intruding, giving Daven the space he needed to breathe.

“Sir,” Arsen spoke softly, his tone grave, “security has already moved. The accident was recorded by several witnesses. The videos spread before we could intervene.”

“I’ve contacted the media to keep the coverage minimal,” Chris added, his voice firm yet understanding. “I don’t want your family’s privacy to be torn apart in the frenzy.”

Daven exhaled slowly, the tension in his chest easing just a fraction as he managed a faint smile. “Thank you, Chris.”

“You didn’t have to handle this alone,” Chris said, squeezing Daven’s shoulder reassuringly. “I know Aunt Kate will pull through. She’s strong, Dav. My parents are on their way here too.”

Daven nodded, gratitude swelling in his chest. “Thank you. Truly. But… can we stop the coverage entirely? This happened on SunCity’s main road.” His frustration bubbled to the surface, exhaustion etched into the lines of his face.

“Don’t worry about that right now. Just focus on Aunt Kate,” Chris urged gently, his eyes steady and reassuring.

Daven nodded again, though the tension still coiled tightly within him. “And… Mom’s driver?”

Arsen’s gaze dropped, the weight of his words heavy. “He died at the scene, Sir.”

Daven’s eyes fluttered shut, his jaw clenching in response to the news. “He’s been with our family for over thirty years…” The loss hit him like a physical blow, a deep ache settling in his heart.

“It looks like a pure accident,” Arsen continued cautiously, his voice measured. “So far, there’s no indication of anything else.”

Chris sighed, the sound heavy with concern. “Then all we can do now is wait for the outcome of Aunt Kate’s surgery. I’m praying everything goes smoothly and she comes back to us.”

***

Minutes crawled by, each tick of the wall clock echoing in the silence like a countdown to an uncertain fate. The soft murmurs of nurses flitted through the air, a backdrop to the palpable tension. Josh sat beside his father, his voice barely above a whisper. “Dad… if the doctors are operating, that means they’re saving Grandma, right?”

“Someone filmed it from the sidewalk. The seconds before the crash,” Arsen explained, his tone grave. “And in that recording… you can hear someone shouting that the car’s brakes were deliberately cut.”

A heavy silence enveloped them, the air thick with disbelief.

Daven rose slowly to his feet, his expression darkening, a storm brewing in his eyes—sharp, simmering with barely contained rage.

“Mr. Chris and I have already asked a third party to help investigate the cause of the accident, Mr. Daven,” Olivia continued carefully, her voice steady. “For now, we’ve secured the video as evidence and handed it over as a reference for the police investigation.”

“Find out everything, Arsen.” Daven’s voice was low, carrying an unmistakable warning. “If what happened to my mother wasn’t an accident, I will hunt down the person responsible. Even if I must walk into hell itself, I will find them.” Each word resonated with fierce conviction, a promise forged in the fires of his determination.

And at that exact moment, the indicator light above the operating room blinked off, plunging them into a suffocating silence.

Everyone shot to their feet, including Daven, who immediately stepped toward the doors just as they swung open. Dr. Harlan emerged, his face drawn and weary, his surgical gown still stained with blood—a grim testament to the battle fought within those walls.

Daven took one step forward, desperation etched into his features. “Doctor… how is my mom?”

The doctor met each of their gazes in turn, drawing in a long, steadying breath as he prepared to deliver news that could change everything…

“And finally spoke.”
“We’ve done everything we could, but—”