HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 485

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Chapter 485

“I didn’t realize you two were close,” Althea said, shifting slightly in her seat so she could speak more comfortably with Josh.

The car rolled away from the restaurant at an easy pace. City lights flickered on one by one, their reflections sliding across the windows. Josh sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring outside without really seeing anything. At his mother’s question, he finally turned to her.

“Um… we’re not close, Mom.”

Althea narrowed her eyes, skeptical. “Are you sure?”

Josh nodded right away. “Yes. I’m sure. I met her because she was the one who asked. She said there were a few things she

wanted to talk about.”

“Like what?”

“School stuff,” Josh replied. “A competition our schools are holding, some assessments my school already did but hers hasn’t, preparations for the basketball match in two months. That kind of thing, Mom.”

“Nothing else?”

Josh held his mother’s gaze, then let out a long breath. “I just… felt concerned about Eli. That’s why I agreed to meet her.”

Althea reached out and gently rubbed his shoulder. Her son-her pride, the one whose presence had carried her through the loneliness of life. The child she had hidden from his biological father for reasons she’d never regretted. Even though fate had eventually brought them back together, to Althea, Josh had always occupied a place in her heart that no one else could touch.

“Why do you care about her?” Althea asked softly. “I saw the way you spoke to her earlier.”

Josh thought for a moment. “Maybe because I feel… sorry for her. I don’t know.”

“Sorry in what way?”

“She feels like she’s being used,” Josh said quietly. “Her mother seems to be pushing her to do things she doesn’t fully understand. Eli never asked for more, Mom. She admitted it honestly-what she has now is already more than enough for her. She just wants to be accepted by the Miller family.”

Althea squeezed her son’s hand. “Are you sure about that?”

Josh nodded. “I could see it in the way she spoke. Haven’t you always said you can tell someone’s honesty by their eyes?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“Every time I talked to her, Eli’s eyes looked sincere-hesitant, afraid. But she still tried to tell me her real intention. And I don’t think it was wrong to tell her about Grandma’s decision. Maybe it could ease some of the pressure she’s under.”

Silence settled between them until Josh looked at Althea again.

“Was… what I did wrong?”

Althea met his gaze with warmth and affection. “No. Not at all. It’s just that… you do know who Eli is, right?”

Josh let out a slow breath. “Yes. I know.” He paused, then added more quietly, “And it feels unfair.”

“Unfair to whom?”

“To Eli,” Josh replied. “And maybe… to me too.”

Althea frowned, puzzled by his words. “Josh? What do you mean?”

Josh swallowed hard, hoping his honesty wouldn’t disappoint his mother. But he couldn’t hold it back anymore. “I’m still sad, Mom. About Dad-about Papa Chase.” He stared straight ahead. “About the fact that he had a child with another woman. About realizing that all this time, I thought I was his first child.”

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Chapter 485

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Josh turned to Althea, his gaze heavy with sorrow. “You know, to e, Papa Chase was the best. He was the man I looked up to- the one who taught me how to face things with maturity. As for Dady Daven, I have to work hard just to be on par with him in

business.”

Althea didn’t interrupt. She let Josh finish.

“But when I see Eli,” Josh continued, “I realize something. She didn’t choose to be born into that situation. Just like I didn’t choose what happened to our family.”

Althea let out a long breath. “Your feelings aren’t wrong.”

Josh gave a faint smile, though the sadness still lingered in his eyes. “But I don’t want to hate her.”

Althea smiled gently. “You don’t have to hate her. Why would you?” She softly brushed a hand over his hair. “Trust what you see, Josh. If your heart tells you Eli isn’t a threat, then she isn’t.”

Josh nodded slightly. “I just want everything to stop hurting people who don’t deserve it.”

“You’re right,” Althea said, patting the back of his hand. Pride swelled quietly in her chest.

“Mom,” Josh said after a moment, “I want to see Dad tomorrow.”

Althea frowned in surprise. The shift in topic caught her off guard. Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Josh replied firmly. “I know he must be worried and hurting. I want to be there—even if it’s just for a little while. I miss him.”

Althea looked at him for a long moment, then nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

“Thank you.”

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