HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 360

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 360**

“Who should I see first?” Cale murmured to himself, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. Yet, every so often, his eyes darted to the file resting on the passenger seat, its presence a constant reminder of the weight he carried. “Should it be the hospital, Chris, or Daven?”

This month had been nothing short of a tumultuous ride for both families—a relentless roller coaster with no moments to catch their breath, just one gut-wrenching plunge after another.

With a heavy exhale, Cale felt the tension in his chest tighten. He was just about to steer toward the TnC Group headquarters when, at the last moment, an impulse surged through him, and he jerked the wheel to the right. He redirected his path toward the office where Daven worked, determined to confront the chaos head-on.

The drive to Callister Group felt interminable today. The traffic in SunCity was thicker than molasses, only serving to tangle his thoughts further into a web of anxiety. His mind whirled in a storm of confusion. The death of Kate Callister—officially labeled as an accident due to a truck with malfunctioning brakes that had crashed into her car, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives after a futile struggle in intensive care—had never sat well with him.

Despite the truck driver being deemed responsible, Cale found it impossible to accept that explanation. Too many pieces felt out of place, too many questions lingered unanswered.

As he stepped into the sleek, glass structure of Callister Group, a rush of cold air enveloped him, a stark contrast to the oppressive heat outside. He walked with a quiet but firm confidence, his footsteps echoing softly on the polished floors. Upon reaching the executive floor, he approached one of the secretariat staff. Her name tag read Olivia, and she looked up at him with a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

“Is he inside?” Cale inquired, his tone clipped, betraying the urgency of his visit.

Olivia blinked, clearly caught off guard by his sudden appearance. “He is, but I’m afraid Mr. Daven isn’t accepting visitors today. May I ask who you are?”

Cale offered her a faint, reassuring smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Cale Miller. Please let him know I’m here.”

Her eyes widened in recognition, and she quickly reached for her phone to call Arsen. After a brief exchange, she hesitated before adding, “Just… please be aware, he’s not in the best condition this morning.”

“That’s fine.” Cale was already moving toward the CEO’s office, his mind set. “Thank you for the warning.”

It didn’t take long to reach the imposing double doors marked with a plaque that read “CEO of Callister Group.” He knocked twice, anticipation thrumming in his chest as he waited for permission before pushing the doors open.

Inside, the office was a chaotic reflection of its occupant’s state of mind, shrouded in a dim, heavy atmosphere. The curtains hung half-drawn, allowing only a sliver of sunlight to penetrate the gloom, barely illuminating the desk. A thick project folder from the City Development Department lay haphazardly on its side, as if it had been carelessly tossed aside, and several documents lay strewn across the floor, further emphasizing the disarray.

“Mr. Cale?” Arsen’s voice sounded startled, a hint of surprise lacing his words. “I told Olivia to ask you to wait a moment.”

Cale chuckled softly, the sound devoid of humor. “Since when have I ever enjoyed waiting, Arsen?” He shook the man’s hand firmly and exchanged a few quick pleasantries, aware that Daven’s most trusted assistant didn’t need to elaborate on the chaos surrounding them. The room spoke volumes even in silence.

“You took the safest route,” Cale assured him. “And the wisest one, especially with everything you’re dealing with.”

An uneasy silence settled between them for a moment before Cale exhaled, shifting the conversation to a more personal note.

“Daven… I wanted to offer my condolences in person. Aunt Kate… she was a good woman. And I know how close Chase was to your mother.”

Daven closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting out a long breath as he sank deeper into the sofa, trying to maintain a semblance of composure despite the vulnerability creeping in. “Thank you, Cale. It still feels unreal. I woke up expecting her to be home. God… it’s like a nightmare I can’t shake off.”

“I know grief hurts,” Cale said gently, his voice steady yet soft. “And it hurts even more when you feel something isn’t right, but you can’t quite put your finger on it.”

Daven’s gaze met his, the expression on his face tightening as if he were weighing his next words carefully. But before they could delve deeper into the complexities of their emotions, Cale’s phone rang, shattering the moment.

He answered quickly, “Chris? Yeah, I’m already in SunCity. I’m at Daven’s office. What’s going on?”

Chris’s voice crackled through the line, taut with anxiety. “Cale… something happened.”