HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 503

Chapter 503

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Chapter 503

The moment Selena stepped into the main living room, the warmth that had filled the space vanished instantly.

Her gaze collided with Althea, who sat calmly on the sofa, her back resting comfortably as she enjoyed lemon tea and the light snacks arranged before her. When their eyes met, Althea set her cup down on the table. The faint laughter that had lingered on her face disappeared just as quickly.

There was no welcoming greeting. Not even a hint of curiosity about how Selena had ended up in this house.

Oh-does Althea already know? Selena thought. I’ve finally been invited here. That I’ll be staying as part of this family?

Shouldn’t that be good news?

And yet, Selena didn’t feel welcome at all. On the contrary, Althea’s composed calm made her feel like an uninvited guest.

Althea glanced over briefly. The look was short, but it was enough-she had read the situation perfectly.

“Please escort the guests to the rooms that have been prepared,” Althea said to one of the servants, her voice level but firm. “They must be tired.”

The servant immediately bowed her head. “Yes, Mrs. Althea.”

“If you’d like to join us later, feel free,” Lydia added from nearby. “That is-if you’re not exhausted after everything you did today.”

Selena curved her lips into a thin smile. “Oh, of course. Even if I’m tired, I wouldn’t ignore the people living under the same roof. It’s been a long day for me.”

But before Selena could step any farther into the room, Althea was already on her feet.

“Come on, Lydia,” Althea said curtly.

Without waiting for a response from anyone, Althea walked away with Lydia at her side. Their steps were steady -unhurried, unhesitant-and they never once looked back. The servants nearby lowered their heads and moved aside, silently clearing a path. Not even one of them spoke as Althea passed Selena.

Only once-just for a fleeting second-Althea’s gaze landed on Eli.

She offered the faintest smile. Eli returned it instinctively, just as small and restrained.

Moments later, the living room was empty,

Selena stood frozen in place. “What is the meaning of this?” she muttered under her breath, her eyes hardening.

She looked around, hoping someone might explain-or at least give her a target for her anger. But there were only servants, and even Selena knew better than to lash out at them right now.

One of them approached politely. “Miss Selena, please allow us to escort you to your room. You’ll want to rest, won’t you?”

Selena scoffed. “I’m not finished.”

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Chapter 503

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“I’m sorry, Miss,” the servant replied calmly. “Most of the residents have already retired. If there’s anything you need, you may bring it up tomorrow morning.”

“Has Mrs. Riana returned?” Selena asked sharply.

“She has, Miss Selena. She arrived earlier this evening,” the servant answered. “Please, follow me.”

There was no challenge in her tone. No fear. And the way they looked at Selena was unmistakably different from how they looked at Althea.

Just wait, Selena thought coldly. Wait until I take control of this place.

You’ll all learn soon enough who truly owns this house.

Selena ground her teeth. “Fine,” she said at last. “Take me there.”

As they walked down the corridor toward the rooms, Selena kept talking-mostly to herself.

“This is what I should’ve had from the beginning,” she muttered. “This house. This name. This respect.”

Eli followed a few steps behind her, her pace restrained. The thick carpet muffled the sound of her footsteps, but it couldn’t quiet the pounding in her chest. Every time her mother murmured another word, it felt as though small nails were being driven into her thoughts, one by one.

The house was magnificent-too magnificent-with towering walls, crystal chandeliers, and the unfamiliar scent of expensive wood. Eli knew she was supposed to feel lucky. She should have. Yet what filled her chest was a dense, suffocating anxiety, like standing in a place that didn’t belong to her, wearing something she had no right to wear.

Selena felt the opposite.

The moment the door to her prepared room opened, Selena’s eyes lit up. She stepped inside first, sweeping her gaze across the space with open satisfaction—a king-sized bed dressed in crisp white sheets, tall windows overlooking the garden, a plush sofa, and a gleaming carved wooden wardrobe. Selena released a long breath, the breath of someone who had finally reached her destination after an exhausting journey.

“Finally,” she murmured, no longer bothering to hide her smile. “They do know how to welcome the rightful owner of the house.” (1

Eli lingered in the doorway, hesitant to enter. The room felt too perfect for her. She stepped in slowly, then stopped near the window. From there, she could see part of the vast back garden. It was beautiful.

And yet, deep inside, an inescapable guilt settled in her chest-especially toward Riana, toward Josh, and, inexplicably, toward Althea, whose gaze from earlier still lingered vividly in her mind.

“This is Miss Eli’s room. Yours is next door,” the servant said in a professional tone. “If Miss Eli needs anything

“”

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Chapter 501