HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 597

Eli’s question made Riana and Nathan exchange a quick glance.

Riana gave a small nod.

Nathan studied Eli’s face for a few seconds before nodding as well. “Of course.”

Riana rose from her seat immediately. “We can talk in the living room.” Before leaving the dining room, she looked at her two grandchildren with gentle authority. “Grace and Josh, go back to your rooms after this. Don’t stay up too late.”

“Okay, GrandMom,” Grace and Josh replied in unison.

“Come with me, Eli,” Riana said softly.

Eli nodded faintly. Her heart began to beat faster as she stood. For a moment, she glanced toward Josh and Grace, who were still sitting at the table.

Grace looked at her curiously. “Is this a secret conversation?”

Chris chuckled. “Seems like it.”

Josh watched them with obvious curiosity, though he did his best to hold it in. If the time came, he could always ask his grandmother or his mother later. For now, he forced himself to stay quiet.

“Well then, I won’t eavesdrop,” Grace declared dramatically, covering both ears with her hands.

The gesture made everyone laugh lightly.

But Eli didn’t truly laugh. She only offered a small smile before following Nathan and Riana out of the dining room.

They walked toward a smaller sitting room that overlooked the back garden. The garden lights were already on, casting a soft glow over the neatly trimmed lawn. The evening air was cool, and the atmosphere there felt far quieter than the lively dining room.

Nathan sat first, choosing the armchair near the large window. Riana settled into the chair beside him.

“What are you doing?” Riana asked gently when she noticed Eli still standing. “Sit down.”

Eli lingered for a few seconds before finally sitting in the chair across from them. She lowered her gaze immediately, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap.

Nathan didn’t rush her. He simply waited patiently for the girl to speak.

Several seconds passed before Eli finally lifted her head.

“GrandDad… GrandMom,” she said softly.

Riana looked at her with warmth. “Yes, dear?”

Eli drew in a deep breath.

“I’ve been thinking about many things since this afternoon,” she said carefully. “Everything you told me—honestly, without hiding anything anymore.”

She paused for a moment, as if making sure her words wouldn’t come out tangled.

“I know my life changed today,” she continued. “There are so many things that turned out to be completely different from what I believed all these years.”

Nathan and Riana remained silent, giving her the space to continue.

“Even though it was unexpected… it turns out I’m not actually part of this family,” Eli admitted honestly. “I came to this house because of my mother’s plan.”

Her voice trembled for a moment, but she steadied herself.

“But during the time I’ve stayed here,” she went on slowly, “everyone has treated me with so much kindness.”

Eli inhaled deeply.

“Grace always asks me to play with her. Josh has never treated me like a stranger. GrandMom and GrandDad always look after me. And Mrs. Althea and Mr. Daven… they’ve been incredibly kind and gentle with me.”

Riana and Nathan still said nothing. It was clear Eli had more to say.

And she did.

“I know all of this might seem strange because I came here under circumstances that turned out to be… untrue. Everything was just manipulation by the woman I called Mother,” she said quietly.

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