HIS REGRET (Ex-Husband wants Me Back) novel Chapter 588

Eli’s tears didn’t stop right away, but they gradually softened into quiet sniffles. The tension that had stiffened her body earlier gave way to exhaustion. She remained seated on the edge of the bed, the suitcase still open beside her, while Althea stayed close—never rushing her, never walking away, simply offering gentle touches now and then.

Each small gesture made Eli feel safe.

“Thank you… for staying with me,” Eli said softly. She wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks, managing a faint smile despite the lingering weight of disappointment and sorrow in her eyes.

“I’m glad you talked to me today.” Althea cupped Eli’s face and looked at her steadily. “Next time, talk to me sooner. Let me know what you’re feeling.”

Eli never imagined she would sit this close to Althea—not as an awkward guest, not as a girl who had to keep her distance, but as someone held and comforted without conditions.

She studied the woman beside her, something complicated stirring in her chest.

“Mrs. Althea…” Her voice was still hoarse from crying. “Are you always like this?”

“Like what?” Althea asked gently.

“Calm. Not emotional. Not… blaming.”

Althea smiled faintly. “I’m human too, Eli. I get angry. I get hurt. But I have to know where to place those feelings. And right now, they don’t belong to you.”

Eli lowered her gaze for a moment before looking up again. There was something shining in her eyes now—more than just leftover tears. It was admiration.

“Josh and Grace are very lucky,” she said quietly.

Althea stilled.

“They have a mother like you.” Eli’s small smile held no bitterness this time. “Someone who listens. Someone who gives them so much attention. Someone who’s there for them even when she’s tired.”

Althea hadn’t expected that.

“I notice things,” Eli continued softly. “When Grace gets clingy or Josh gets stubborn, you never really leave them alone. You might scold them… but you hug them afterward.”

She brushed away another tear.

“Sometimes I’m jealous,” she admitted honestly. “I want to know what it feels like to be hugged like that since I was little… without being afraid of making a mistake.”

The room fell quiet. Althea didn’t answer right away. She simply stroked Eli’s hair gently, letting the silence settle instead of rushing to fill it.

“And now you know what it feels like, don’t you?” she asked softly.

Eli gave a faint nod. “Yes.”

A small pause lingered before she spoke again. “Back then… I used to think you were the reason my mother’s life was so hard.” Her words were careful, as if afraid of causing fresh wounds. “I even hated you for a while.”

Althea didn’t pull her hand away from Eli’s.

“But the longer I stayed here, the more I saw how you treat everyone. The staff. GrandMom. Even me.” Eli drew in a slow breath. “There’s no hatred in your eyes.”

Althea offered a gentle smile. “Hatred is exhausting.”

Eli let out a soft, uneven laugh despite her swollen eyes. “I’m lucky I got to see that side of you before it was too late,” she said. “Otherwise, I might still believe this family is cruel.”

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