HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 526

Chapter 526

“Where am I?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Althea’s awareness returned slowly, like someone rising from the depths of water that had been too deep for too long. Her eyelids felt heavy as she struggled to open them. A soft white light greeted her vision, followed by the faint, sterile scent of antiseptic that immediately told her where she was.

A hospital.

She blinked several times. Her memories came back in fragments at first, then gradually fell into place. Meeting Daven with the children. Their laughter warming her heart. Then Daven leaving them for a moment-followed by the growing crowd of reporters. The pressing voices. The way they cornered him, as if his guilt had already been decided.

Her chest tightened instantly.

She tried to sit up.

“Daven,” she called, her voice hoarse.

But the moment she moved, dizziness crashed over her. Her body felt weak. She pressed a hand against the side of the bed to steady herself.

That was when she realized someone was beside her.

Althea turned her head.

Daven was sitting in the chair near the bed, his body leaning forward, his head resting on his folded arms at the edge of the mattress. He was fast asleep.

He looked exhausted.

The lines along his jaw seemed deeper than usual. Dark circles shadowed the skin beneath his eyes. His suit was still

on, the collar slightly wrinkled-as if he hadn’t cared about anything except staying there.

Warmth spread through Althea’s chest, mixed with a quiet ache.

Slowly, she lifted her hand and touched the top of her husband’s head. Her fingers moved gently, brushing through his hair with careful tenderness. In her heart, she whispered her gratitude again and again. This year had been so heavy, yet she had still been given the chance to remain by Daven’s side.

Her touch made him stir.

A few seconds later, his eyes opened. It took him a moment to fully register where he was-then his gaze went straight to Althea.

“You’re awake?” His voice was low and rough with sleep.

Althea gave him a faint smile. “Just now.”

“How are you feeling?” Daven leaned closer and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You scared me.”

“I’m okay.”

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He rested his forehead against hers, feeling the warmth of her breath against his face. His hand immediately found hers, gripping it tightly as if to make sure she was truly awake. He lifted it and pressed several kisses to her fingers.

“Should I call the doctor?”

“In a moment,” Althea said softly. “I just want to be with you.”

Daven smiled faintly. He kissed her forehead again, lingering this time.

“While I wasn’t with you, were you neglecting your health, love?”

Althea let out a quiet breath. “I was just too upset.”

Daven’s brows drew together.

“They treated you like that in front of everyone,” she continued. “I wanted to go out there and say something. But the legal team kept holding me back. I was angry… and frustrated. I felt like shouting at all of them. As if they knew what you’d done—”

Her voice faltered.

“And after that… I don’t remember anything.”

Daven slowly stroked the back of Althea’s hand, studying the softness he could hold so tangibly. On her ring finger was the same band he wore. He lifted her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to the ring; his touch filled with quiet affection.

“I know you must have been angry and upset,” he said softly.

“But don’t let it overwhelm you like this, love.”

“I don’t even know what happened,” Althea murmured. “Everything just went dark all of a sudden.”

Daven brushed her hair back gently.

“Oh-what about the kids?” she asked, worry immediately returning to her voice.

“They went home first,” Daven reassured her. “Felicia calmed Grace down. Josh was shocked, but he tried to stay composed. I didn’t realize he’d grown up so much. They’ll come back once you’re fully awake.”

Althea nodded slowly. The tightness in her chest eased a little.

For a few seconds, they simply looked at each other. The silence between them wasn’t awkward. It was warm filled with relief.

Daven lifted his hand and gently touched her cheek. The gesture made Althea close her eyes for a moment, leaning into the warmth that spread across her skin..

“I got through it,” he said quietly. “What’s left of the Callister Group situation will be handled by Arsen and Richard. Today went better than we expected.”

Althea opened her eyes and looked at him intently. “What happened? Were they still attacking you? Still doubting you?” There was clear displeasure in her tone.

“We presented all the evidence in front of the media,” Daven explained. “The money trail, the witnesses, Bret’s

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involvement. Chris and Arsen secured solid proof-something they can’t easily deny. Richard has already pushed to bring everyone involved into the legal process. They don’t have room to run anymore.”

Althea let out a long breath. “Thank goodness.”

A faint smile touched Daven’s lips. “Public pressure is starting to turn. Now it’s their turn to explain themselves. I also heard Mr. Miller has asked the airport authorities to monitor departures. He has connections who can be relied on-to make sure certain people don’t leave the country too easily.”

“I’m glad to hear that.’

Althea studied her husband’s face a little longer. The exhaustion was still there, but beneath it was a calm she hadn’t seen in weeks.

“Even so… I hate that I couldn’t be there for you,” she said quietly. “When you were facing all of that.”

Daven shook his head.

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“You were there,” he said. “Every day. Every decision I made, I thought about you and the kids. That was enough.”

Althea tightened her grip around his hand, holding on just a little more firmly.

“I just want all of this to be over.”

“It will be soon, love,” Daven replied softly. “And today was the biggest step forward.”

He fell silent for a moment, then drew a slow breath. “There’s

Althea looked at him. “What is it?”

one more piece of news,” he said.

Daven didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached for a thin folder resting on the table beside the bed. His movements were careful, almost deliberate, as if what he was holding mattered deeply.

“I received this after the doctor finished examining you,” he said.

He opened the folder slowly and took out several sheets of medical results.

Althea’s heartbeat quickened.

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