HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 351

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 351**

Chris’s gaze was fixed on her, a sudden intensity igniting within him as she pulled a folder from her bag. It was as if she had come armed with undeniable proof, ready to dismantle any skepticism he might harbor about her claims.

“Then how do you explain this, Chris?” she challenged, sliding a photograph across the table with deliberate care. The image depicted Chris alongside another woman, with Selena standing close by. But this wasn’t just a solitary snapshot; there were multiple photos, each one capturing moments that hinted at a past connection between Selena and the woman beside Chris. “Do you still not remember?”

Chris felt his body stiffen, the air around him thickening with a sense of foreboding. As he stared at the image, a wave of recognition washed over him, slowly fitting into place like a long-lost puzzle piece finally rejoining the picture.

“Wait,” he murmured, almost to himself. “I… yeah, I do remember you.”

Selena’s chin lifted slightly, a flicker of satisfaction dancing in her eyes. “Finally.” There was a palpable relief in her voice, as if a weight had been lifted.

“You appeared a few times at the department building where Chase studied,” Chris recalled, rubbing his temples as if to ease the tension that suddenly gripped him. “You two were close for a while, but—”

His thoughts trailed off, confusion mingling with frustration. “Did you two actually have a relationship? Chase never mentioned you. Not once. And definitely nothing about a pregnancy.”

Chris had always been a skeptic, and this revelation felt like an intricate web of deceit he was struggling to untangle.

Back in their college days, the Chase he had known was the quintessential responsible eldest brother. He was popular, not merely for his good looks, but for his myriad accomplishments. Chris couldn’t deny that Chase attracted an astonishing amount of attention from women. Even after graduation, the younger girls still vied for his attention, drawn like moths to a flame.

Selena, however, was unfazed. She reached back into her bag, retrieving a thick, meticulously organized blue folder—clearly a product of careful preparation for this very confrontation.

“I anticipated that you would all react this way,” she said, her tone steady. “Chase wanted everything kept under wraps at that time. He was navigating a tumultuous period—too much pressure, unresolved issues swirling around him. And I was one of the few people he confided in after graduation. You were preoccupied with your studies back then, Chris. Have you forgotten that Chase spent some time in New City?”

Chris fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of her words settling heavily on his shoulders.

Riana, who had been watching intently, narrowed her eyes. “And just how close were you two?”

“As close as you should have been to knowing about Eli a long time ago,” Selena replied without a moment’s hesitation, though a hint of regret laced her voice. “I apologize for only mustering the courage to reveal the truth now.”

Eli, who had been quietly observing the exchange, lowered her head, a mixture of unease and confusion washing over her at the mention of her name.

With a calm demeanor, Selena opened the folder, revealing a collection of documents. “These are the medical records from my pregnancy. I made copies for you to review in detail. Not just medical files—I kept every ultrasound, every milestone in Eli’s development. And this—”

She slid the final page towards Riana, her expression unyielding.

“This is what matters most, so you won’t doubt him anymore. You may question everything I’ve said, but this test answers all your doubts. A DNA test conducted at the hospital your family trusts. The same results I shared with you yesterday.”

Riana felt her breath hitch in her throat, her hand trembling as she reached for the paper.

“The same hospital… the one we always use for our family?”

She brushed away a tear that threatened to spill from the corner of her eye. “Every time I tried to come to SunCity… I backed out. I was scared, and I needed time—and courage. But now, I’m determined. Eli deserves to know who his father’s family is.”

Chris narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her with a critical gaze. “Then why now? Why come at a time when our family is… grieving?”

Selena shrugged slightly, attempting to maintain her composure even as tears continued to fall. “How could I have known you were grieving? I haven’t followed any news. My only intention was to meet you and reveal the truth.”

She took a sip of water, her voice softening. “I can’t run forever. Eli asks about his father every day. And I refuse to let him grow up without knowing his father’s family. You deserve the truth—and so does he.”

Eli tugged on her sleeve, a look of confusion clouding her features. “Mom… um, why do I keep hearing people talk about an accident? Who was in an accident? And why did you say my father is dead? Is that true?”

Silence enveloped the table, thick and heavy. Not a single person spoke, their silence amplifying Eli’s confusion as she looked from one face to another, searching for answers.

“Mom, I can understand some of what you’re saying now. Please… don’t hide anything from me anymore.”

Selena let out a slow, heavy breath, gently brushing her hand over the top of her daughter’s head.

“Sweetheart—”

“Can Mommy just tell me the truth?” Eli’s voice trembled, her eyes wide with desperation. “Where is my dad?”