HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 516

Chapter 516

The boy slowed his steps. He clearly hadn’t expected to find Eli there. One hand slipped into his pocket, uncertainty flickering in his eyes-yet his feet kept moving, almost without his awareness, drawing him closer to the girl sitting there alone.

What is she doing here? Didn’t GrandMom tell her to go to her room? Josh wondered.

“I didn’t know you were here,” he said once he was close enough, keeping a careful distance.

Eli stood up at once. “I’m sorry. I… I just wanted to enjoy the night a little longer before going back to my room.” Her fingers twisted together nervously, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at Josh for more than a moment.

Josh gave a brief nod. “That’s fine. You don’t need to apologize.”

Eli lowered her head even further. “I still want to say I’m sorry.”

Josh frowned. “For what?”

Eli took a short breath, gathering the courage to speak. “For everything. Especially what happened in the dining room. For what my mother did-and also for… my presence here.”

Josh looked at her without expression. “It’s not that simple.”

Eli bit her lips. Summoning her courage, she lifted her face. When she looked at the young man standing in front of her, she knew the warmth and easy cheer they’d shared at the pizza place sometimes ago were gone. And that realization hurt more than she expected.

“I know. If I had known from the beginning that things would turn out like this, maybe I wouldn’t have come,” Eli said softly, lowering her gaze again. “I wouldn’t have accepted GrandMom and GrandDad’s invitation back then.”

Josh fell silent for a few seconds. The night breeze stirred the leaves around them, rustling gently.

“I just wanted to meet GrandMom and GrandDad… and be close to them,” Eli continued. “Truly. I didn’t have any other intentions. It would’ve been better if I had waited until they had the time—rather than being here and having to see and feel all of this.”

Josh’s gaze drifted to the stone table, lingering on the untouched glass of milk. “You’re talking as if this is all just about you.

Eli froze. “That’s not what I meant.”

“I’m angry at your mother’s behavior,” Josh said firmly. “The way she talks makes everyone uncomfortable.”

Eli nodded slowly. “I don’t agree with her actions either. She’s wrong-I’m not denying that.”

Josh raised his eyebrow slightly. “But that doesn’t mean I automatically believe this attitude you’re showing right now.”

Eli lifted her head. “What do you mean?”

“You could be playing a role,” Josh replied without hesitation. There was no doubt left in his eyes now. He was convinced Eli was part of the same pattern as Selena. There was no way Eli didn’t know what her mother would

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do-even though… he had once trusted her.

“I’ve seen people do that before. More than once. I don’t want to be fooled again.”

Eli’s face went pale. “I’m not playing any role, Josh.”

Josh studied her for a long moment. “Really? Because for some reason, I don’t believe you.”

Eli swallowed hard. “I don’t know how to convince you. No-tell me. What can I do to make you trust me again, Josh?”

“Trust takes time,” Josh said. “And right now, I don’t see a reason to give it.”

Eli gave a small nod, her shoulders sagging. “I understand.”

Josh took a step closer. “As long as you’re allowed to stay in this house, keep your boundaries.”

Eli lifted her gaze. “What kind of boundaries?”

“Don’t interfere in our family matters,” Josh replied. “Don’t try to get close to GrandMom and GrandDad while things are still tense. And don’t expect everything to go back to the way it was.”

She wanted to protest, but when her eyes met Josh’s, no words came-only a silent nod. Josh wasn’t just angry… he was disappointed. And that was what made Eli hold herself back.

“I’ll keep my distance.”

Josh clicked his tongue softly. “I’m disappointed in your mother-and in you.

The words caught in Eli’s breath. “I… I’m sorry.”

Josh waved a hand dismissively. “An apology doesn’t fix everything.”

Eli lowered her head, her eyes filling again. “I know.”

Silence hung between them for a few seconds. Josh noticed Eli’s hands trembling at her sides, but he said nothing. He was still hurt by the way Selena had treated his mother. Even if it wasn’t fair to place the same judgment on Eli, in Josh’s eyes… they were the same.

Both had their own agenda in this house. And he wouldn’t be fooled.

“I used to think of you as a friend,” Josh said at last.

Eli’s eyes lit up when she looked at him again. “I thought of you that way too.”

Josh let out a short breath. “But things are different now. While you’re staying here, I don’t think we need to talk much.”

Eli stared at him, the sadness in her eyes deepening. “I never wanted to lose that. Truly. I’m so sorry I ever came to this house.” She lowered her head even further. “I never wanted you to push me away.’

))

Josh only spared her a brief glance before turning his gaze back to the pond, where the koi fish stirred the water with soft ripples. He remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking.

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