HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 397

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

**Chapter 397**

Meanwhile, in SunCity.

As the call concluded, Althea found herself fixated on her phone, its screen dark and unresponsive, much like the thoughts swirling in her mind. A tightness gripped her chest, a sense of restlessness that had little to do with Daven’s words but everything to do with the silence that followed. It felt as though the weight of the world was pressing down on him, especially with the escalating turmoil surrounding the Callister Group. The news seemed to echo through the air, growing louder and more ominous with each passing moment.

Althea couldn’t shake the feeling that Daven was shouldering this burden all alone. The calmness in his voice during their conversation only served to amplify her anxieties, spiraling her thoughts toward the darkest scenarios imaginable. What if he was in over his head? What if—

“Mom?” A small voice broke through her turbulent thoughts, pulling her back to the present.

Startled, Althea looked up to see Josh descending the stairs, clad in his favorite pajamas, his hair tousled from sleep. Grace trailed behind him, her small hand firmly grasping Lydia’s. Instinctively, a smile crept onto Althea’s face, even though her mind remained adrift in a sea of worry. In front of the children, she resolved to keep her fears hidden.

“Breakfast is almost ready,” Riana announced as she emerged from the dining room, her brow furrowing at the sight of Althea’s somber expression. “But your face—why do you look like someone who didn’t sleep at all last night?”

“I’m fine,” Althea replied hastily, her voice lacking conviction.

Riana let out a small huff, a sound that carried both concern and a hint of frustration. “Don’t overthink what Daven is dealing with right now, dear.”

Those words struck a chord, echoing the very thoughts that had plagued Althea throughout the morning. Just then, Lydia deftly ushered Josh and Grace toward the dining room, sparing them from a conversation that would only serve to thicken the already tense atmosphere.

Thank goodness the children seemed to sense the shift in mood. Riana felt a wave of gratitude wash over her, appreciating Lydia’s perceptiveness in navigating the delicate situation.

“You should really try to calm yourself, Althea,” Riana suggested gently, her tone soothing as she placed a comforting arm around her daughter-in-law.

Althea released a long, shaky breath, her fingers rubbing her temples as if to ease the pressure building there. “Yes, Mom. Thank you,” she murmured, the warmth of Riana’s presence providing a small measure of comfort.

“You’re thinking too much,” Riana insisted softly, her voice filled with motherly affection.

“I thought I could ignore it,” Althea confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I can’t. Daven is in JiangShe, and the situation is still so unclear. Now he’s already facing new challenges.” Her heart ached at the thought of him alone in a foreign place, grappling with pressures she could only imagine.

Riana nodded, understanding Althea’s unease all too well. She had once stood in a similar position, her own husband battling for a company teetering on the edge of disaster, while she felt powerless to help. So, she guided Althea to sit in the lounge before breakfast, hoping to ease the tension in her shoulders.

“I know, to some extent, how you’re feeling right now,” Riana said softly, tucking a loose strand of Althea’s hair behind her ear with a tender touch. “But you must believe this—Daven will do whatever it takes to protect what he has built with his own hands. Just like when we faced our crisis, my husband fought until the very end to prove himself.”

“It’s just… the situation scares me,” Althea admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, the fear palpable in her tone.

At that moment, Nathan emerged from his study, making his way toward the dining room for breakfast. He paused as he caught sight of Althea and Riana deep in conversation, their expressions serious. Intrigued, he approached, inadvertently overhearing Althea’s quiet admission.

“Althea,” Nathan called out, his voice a mix of concern and curiosity.

Nathan nodded in agreement, his expression warm and sincere. “And Grace is our granddaughter. But that’s not the only reason, Althea.”

Those words made Althea lift her gaze to meet Nathan’s, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and relief.

“To us, you are our daughter,” Nathan said, his voice filled with warmth.

Althea caught her breath, the significance of his words washing over her. “Dad—”

“And Daven,” Nathan continued, “is accepted in this family not because of his status. Not because of how hard he’s worked to prove himself to you. But because of how he loves Grace. He loves her as if she were his own child. That’s not something you can fake. And truly, I’m deeply grateful for it. Grace—my granddaughter—has not lost a father figure. Just like Josh. Neither of them has lost someone essential in their lives.”

Riana smiled softly, her expression tender. “So stop feeling like you owe us anything. Supporting you is only natural.”

Overwhelmed, Althea lowered her head, tears threatening to spill. “I will never forget your kindness.”

“You don’t need to do anything in return,” Riana said gently, her voice soothing. “Just give them your love, your care, and your full support. Because they are your life now.”

Althea leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Riana in a tight embrace. In that moment, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having Riana in her life—just as she cherished Nathan’s acceptance and the warmth of the entire Miller family.

“By the way,” Riana said after a moment of silence, her tone shifting slightly, “I’ve allowed Eli and Selena to visit Chase’s grave, Althea. What… do you think?”