HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 165

**Shadows of the Past – By Emma Clarke**
**Chapter 165**

Chase pivoted sharply, steering away from the turmoil behind him, navigating down a less-traveled corridor—the one that would bring him directly to the press. Althea, her heart racing, cast anxious glances over her shoulder, her instincts urging her to ensure nothing sinister was pursuing her.

“Miss Grayson, Mr. Chris’s car is waiting just outside,” Jennifer announced softly, her voice a balm amidst the chaos, pulling Althea’s focus back to the present. “I can only accompany you this far.”

“That’s more than sufficient,” Chris interjected with an infectious grin that lit up his face. “Your assistance means the world to us, Madam Vice Principal.”

Jennifer’s cheeks flushed a delicate shade of crimson as she averted her gaze, flustered by his compliment. At a moment like this? Chris seemed blissfully unaware of the effect his words had on her—he could easily make the poor woman faint right there.

“It’s nothing, Mr. Chris,” she replied hastily, her embarrassment palpable.

Chris chuckled, his amusement evident. “Well then, once my dear brother and his fiancée have managed to untangle this mess, I believe I owe you a proper thank-you, Miss Laurent. You wouldn’t mind, would you?”

The notorious Chris Miller—just as the whispers suggested, a master of charm and flirtation.

“Come on, Althea. We need to move quickly,” he urged, his tone shifting to one of urgency.

As they approached the side entrance, a sleek black car appeared as if summoned by their need. Althea slipped into the vehicle without hesitation, Chris following closely behind, the door closing swiftly as if sealing them away from the outside world. The car surged forward, a touch faster than necessary, leaving behind the quiet east wing of the school—an area blissfully shielded from the prying eyes of reporters.

Yet even as they sped away, a whisper escaped Althea’s lips, “I never imagined something like this would happen to me.”

Chris turned to her, his voice low and steady, almost like a soothing balm. “Hey, don’t hold yourself responsible for this. That story—none of it must be true. I don’t believe a word of it, not until I hear it from you directly. And I’m certain your parents feel the same way.”

Althea’s gaze lingered on Chris, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, a tumult of gratitude and sorrow swirling within her. She was deeply thankful that someone still believed in her, but the weight of sadness pressed heavily on her heart. If not for Chase and Chris, she couldn’t fathom how she would weather this storm on her own.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

Chris shook his head gently, his expression earnest. “No thanks needed. We’re simply doing what’s right. And one more thing, Althea—never let yourself feel ashamed. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

The car glided smoothly along the side road, distancing itself from the uproar emanating from the main entrance. The windows were tightly sealed, yet the muffled shouts of reporters managed to seep through, sharp enough to prick at her nerves.

Althea gripped her bag tightly, her fingers trembling, knuckles pale with tension. Chris sat beside her, casting worried glances her way, concern etched on his face.

“You’ll be all right, Althea,” he reassured her softly. “Trust me. We’ve taken the safest route.”

She merely nodded, her voice caught in her throat. “I truly don’t know what I would’ve done if you two weren’t here.”

Chris offered a faint smile, though the seriousness in his eyes remained. “And I’m not about to let you face any of this alone. You’re my soon-to-be sister-in-law. I might act a bit childish at times, but you should know this—we accept you. We truly accept you. And we can’t wait to officially welcome you into our family.”

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