HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 457

Chapter 457

Silence settled over the family room after Althea’s last question hung in the air. No one spoke. Lydia stared at Althea in disbelief, while Althea kept her eyes on her husband, hoping needing an answer to the question that had been haunting her for days.

Unfortunately, Daven chose to remain silent. He leaned back against the sofa with composed ease, but his jaw tightened a clear sign he was holding back something far heavier than a simple explanation. Lydia watched them in turn, reading the unspoken tension filling the roof

“You really don’t want to say anything, Daven?” Althea asked softly, disappointment threading through her voice.

“Love,” Daven tried to soothe her. He wrapped an arm around her, gently urging her to lean against him. At first, Althea shot him with a cold, resentful look, but the exhaustion etched on his face finally made her relent.

She let out a long breath. “I know… it’s not time for us to know yet. Right?”

Daven gave a faint smile. “Just be patient a little longer. And hold on to what you believe in, love.”

Lydia nodded in agreement with Daven’s words, even though-truthfully-she was curious too. What exactly were the DNA test results? Why was Daven hiding them from everyone?

“Trust what your heart tells you, Althea. I’m doing the same,” Lydia said gently. “Like Daven said-if from the beginning you believed Chase wasn’t that kind of man, then that belief isn’t wrong. Right, Daven?”

Her words drew a very slight smile from Daven. He nodded. And they made Althea close her eyes for a moment. She took a deep breath, then slowly let it out.

“Alright,” she said at last. “I’ll try to be calmer. For now.”

“Thank you for understanding,” Daven said, visibly relieved. “And thank you, Lydia, for listening to Josh.”

“Of course,” Lydia replied with a small pout. “He’s my nephew, Daven. And honestly, seeing the unfairness Eli went through is probably why Josh couldn’t stop thinking about what he witnessed.”

“Josh has a sincere heart,” Althea said, pride unmistakable in her voice.

“And I hope no one takes advantage of that sincerity,” Daven added quietly.

“I agree with you, Daven,” Lydia said at once. “That’s why I told Josh not to get too deeply involved. I don’t want his kindness to be used by anyone.”

“Thank you for giving Josh another perspective,” Althea said, reaching for Lydia’s hand. “I’m truly lucky to have you as my friend. Or-soon to be-my sister-in-law?”

Lydia frowned. “Cale is still buried in his work. Who knows when I’ll get married.”

Althea chuckled. “I’ll force Cale to propose to you soon.”

“I feel like I’m partly responsible for Cale postponing your wedding,” Daven said with a hint of guilt. “He’s been helping me a lot at Callister-”

“Hey,” Lydia cut in quickly. “I’ve never minded that. Truly. She looked between Daven and Althea. “Cale wouldn’t stay silent knowing all this–especially when Chase’s name is being dragged into it. Even though I’ve only known Cale for a short time, I understand now why both he and Chris respected the late Chase Miller so deeply.”

Althea nodded slowly. “You’re right.”

“But if you’re feeling guilty,” Lydia said with a laugh, “you’ll have to give us a very special wedding gift, Daven.

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Something we won’t forget easily.”

Her laughter softened the atmosphere, easing the tension that had lingered in the living room. Not long after, Lydia excused herself. The right-wing pavilion fell quiet once more. Althea went into the bedroom first, while Daven made sure all the doors were locked.

No sooner had Daven set his phone down on the table than demanded his attention again. This time, Cale’s name flashed on the screen.

“What is it?” Daven asked as soon as the call connected.

“We need to meet first thing in the morning,” Cale said curly. “I found something.”

The tone of his voice immediately put Daven on alert. “Is it about Selena?”

“Not exactly. Why are we even talking about that woman?”

“This afternoon, Eli approached Josh at school. Selena was there too.”

“What did they talk about?” Cale asked, his voice sharpening.

“I think it’s better we discuss this in person. Send me your location-I’ll come to you early in the morning.”

***

Morning arrived with soft light slipping into the Miller family’s dining room. The sheer curtains swayed gently in the breeze, letting sunlight spill across the long wooden table that had always been the heart of their togetherness. The scent of toast and warm tea filled the air, tempting everyone to dig in. Laughter and casual chatter about each person’s plans added to the lively morning atmosphere in the Miller main house.

Althea sat near the kitchen area, helping arrange plates for Josh and Grace. She smiled when Grace earnestly asked for more jam, then gently brushed her daughter’s hair. Though her expression appeared calm, there was a faint exhaustion she couldn’t quite hide.

Across the table, Lydia sat comfortably, chin propped on one hand, watching the morning scene with warm eyes. She savored the moment-being part of such a close, affectionate family.

Nathan sat at the head of the table, a tablet in his hands. His eyes followed line after line of news, yet every so often he glanced toward his grandchildren—a habit that had never truly faded. He took a sip of his black coffee, then lowered the tablet slightly when he heard the clink of a small spoon against a plate.

Josh sat upright in his chair, still in his school uniform. He ate his breakfast calmly, but his gaze occasionally flicked toward Riana, then shifted to Althea-checking whether his mother was paying attention to what he wanted to say. His eyes lingered a little longer on Lydia.

Josh’s behavior wasn’t without reason. It felt as though whatever he wanted to say required a certain kind of permission. He let out a long breath more than once, even as he continued chewing his breakfast.

Grace sat beside Nathan, her small feet gently swinging beneath the table. One hand busied itself spreading jam over her toast, while most of her attention went into the little stories she shared nonstop.

“Grandma,” Grace said brightly, “I have drawing class today. My teacher said my drawings are getting neater.”