HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 354

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 354**

“Please, Miss Selena,” Erick said, his voice polite yet slightly hesitant, as he opened the car door, a gesture inviting her into the luxury vehicle that Nathaniel Miller had arranged especially for her. The polished black exterior gleamed under the sunlight, a stark contrast to the bustling street around them.

Erick felt the weight of unasked questions pressing on his mind, but he dared not voice them. Who exactly was this woman, and what made her so special in the eyes of his employer? Yet, the curiosity simmered beneath the surface, urging him to seek answers.

“Thank you,” Selena replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of warmth. She gently ushered Eli into the car first, her motherly instincts kicking in as she reminded her daughter to bid farewell to Nathan and Riana in the lobby. The two adults offered only a brief nod in response, their expressions unreadable, but Selena brushed off their indifference.

A small gate had finally begun to open for her—slowly, yes, but progress was still progress. Who would have imagined that with the right leverage, she could shift the dynamics of the Miller family this much?

Yet, even as hope flickered within her, she couldn’t allow herself to sink into complacency. The road ahead was long and winding. This was merely the first step in a much larger journey.

“I’ll take you to your temporary residence. May I know the address?” Erick inquired, his tone professional yet curious.

Selena responded without a moment’s pause.

“Mom, where are we going?” Eli asked, her voice tinged with apprehension, her small hands gripping the edge of the seat.

“To a place far more suitable for us,” Selena replied, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

“But I like the apartment we’re staying in now… Is it okay to leave? What about your job, Mom?” Eli’s brow furrowed, her innocence shining through her questions.

Selena offered a gentle smile, brushing her daughter’s hair back with tender fingers. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. This is what you should have had all along.”

“What about the old place?” Eli pressed, her curiosity unyielding.

“What about it?” Selena blinked, trying to maintain her composure. “You don’t need to think about all that, Eli. Starting today, things in your life will slowly change, sweetheart. I already told you, didn’t I? That includes where we live. Your grandfather would never let you stay uncomfortable. That’s why he asked us to move.”

She wrapped an arm around her daughter, pulling her close. “If only I hadn’t been such a coward… If only I’d had the courage sooner, you would have enjoyed all this a long time ago. Forgive your mother, Eli. Will you?”

Eli’s brows knitted together in thought, but she held back her questions. “Okay, Mom,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The car glided smoothly along the road, the cityscape blurring past them as they ventured toward the address Selena had provided. An enveloping silence settled in the vehicle for several moments before Selena broke it.

“Oh—did you have fun with Uncle Chris?” she asked gently, a hint of curiosity lacing her tone.

“Yes, Mom. I liked him. He was kind and asked me a lot of things,” Eli responded eagerly, her eyes lighting up with the memory.

“What did he ask?” Selena turned her full attention to her daughter, eager to hear more.

Eli’s face brightened, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “So many things, Mom! Uncle Chris is nice. He asked about my school, my study habits, even what I want to do during my next vacation.” She giggled, a sound like chimes in the air. “He said I look like my dad—enthusiastic.”

Selena’s smile widened, a blend of pride and bittersweet nostalgia washing over her. “Of course. You do take after your father,” she said, leaning in slightly, her voice softening as she added, “And you deserve attention like that from your father’s family.”

In the front seat, Erick listened intently, not intentionally eavesdropping, but the conversation was impossible to ignore. Who exactly were these two? And why did Selena’s expression radiate such satisfaction?

Something about the entire situation felt… off. Yet, he kept his thoughts to himself, focusing on the road ahead.

The car navigated through the bustling traffic, seamlessly making its way toward a district not far from the city center. Before long, they arrived at the apartment complex where they would be residing temporarily. The process of moving in unfolded surprisingly quickly, with Selena’s boxes and Eli’s bags being carried up in a well-coordinated rhythm. Erick ensured that nothing was overlooked, and even if something was inadvertently left behind, he had already arranged for others to return later to handle the remaining details of Selena and Eli’s transition to their new home.

“Mom, I still don’t understand what’s happening,” Eli finally exclaimed, unable to contain her confusion any longer. “Are we really moving to Dad’s place?”

“Mm… I don’t think so. Not yet at least. But I’m pretty sure this is one of your grandfather’s properties. It might even be for you someday,” Selena explained, her tone soothing.

Eli stiffened at the formality, instinctively clinging to her mother’s arm.

“Don’t worry,” Selena murmured softly, sensing her daughter’s unease. “They’re just the attendants assigned to us, sweetheart.” She flashed a graceful smile at them. “Right? Let’s see…” She glanced at their name tags. “Oh, Silvia and Nora. Wonderful. Eli, you should start remembering the staff here. Nora and Silvia.”

The two attendants exchanged a quick glance but maintained their polite smiles, unfazed by the young girl’s apprehension.

“Is there anything you’d like us to prepare, Miss Eli?” Nora asked, trying to ease the tension in the air.

“My daughter wants to see the place. Show her the bedroom, Nora,” Selena instructed, her voice firm yet encouraging. “And make sure she gets the best service.”

“Yes, Mrs. Selena.” Nora gestured for Eli to follow her, her demeanor professional yet warm.

Eli happily trotted along, her steps light as she took in the spacious living room, the soft plush carpet beneath her feet, the balcony that overlooked the sparkling city, and her bedroom—far larger than anything they had ever lived in before.

Some of the movers were already unpacking and arranging her things, and it felt surreal, almost like stepping into someone else’s life.

“Mom! This place is so pretty!” she exclaimed, her voice bursting with excitement. “My room is huge! And the bathroom even has a bathtub! Ugh—everything is so nice and fancy!”

Selena entered with her usual elegant stride, her eyes scanning every corner as if assessing the space. Every so often, she would instruct Silvia to adjust something, particularly when it came to her belongings.

“Of course it’s lovely, sweetheart. The Miller family only chooses the best,” she said lightly, her tone filled with a mixture of pride and hope. “This… is simply what your life should look like.”

Eli turned to her mother, confusion flickering in her eyes, the weight of unspoken questions lingering between them.

Selena stepped closer and lifted her daughter’s chin with effortless grace. “Did Uncle Chris really not tell you anything about your father?”