Ex-husband wants me back novel

Shadows of the Past - By Emma Clarke 138 Summary In Chapter 138 of "Shadows of the Past" by Emma Clarke, Chase is curious about his younger brother Josh's whereabouts and learns he is with their father in the garden, where something special is planned. Althea, who is accompanying Chase, discovers that their father is introducing Josh to Leo, a new Savannah cat. The atmosphere is light-hearted, with Chase playfully teasing Althea about the cat, which sets a warm and affectionate tone for their interaction.

As they settle into a cozy moment, Chase expresses his gratitude for Althea's bond with his family, especially in how they embrace Josh. Their conversation takes a turn when Althea brings up Chase's past relationship with an ex-girlfriend, which stirs a mix of emotions in Chase. He reassures Althea that his past is behind him and emphasizes his commitment to her, leading to a playful exchange where Althea teases him about believing his brother Cale's comments regarding his past.

The chapter takes a lively turn when Josh runs in, excitedly sharing about his day and his adventures with their grandfather's turtle. Chase's interaction with Josh showcases his affectionate side, and Althea's offer to help with Josh indicates her growing role in the family. However, as Chase leads Josh away, Althea is left with a sense of apprehension about her upcoming conversation with Daniel, Chase's father, who has always been somewhat distant with her.

Althea's nervousness reflects her desire to connect with Chase's family more deeply, and she hopes to break the ice with Daniel during their one-on-one conversation. The chapter captures a blend of playful banter, emotional reassurance, and the underlying tension of familial relationships, setting the stage for Althea's potential breakthrough with Daniel. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below **Shadows of the Past - By Emma Clarke** **Chapter 138** "Where's Josh?" Chase inquired, his eyebrows arching in mild surprise as he scanned the surroundings. "With your father in the back garden.

He mentioned there's something special he wants to show him," Althea replied as she strolled beside Chase, heading toward the lounge. "I'm betting he's introducing him to Leo," Chase remarked, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Who's Leo?" Althea asked, a hint of confusion lacing her voice. "Not who, but what," Chase chuckled, his laughter light and infectious. "Leo is a male Savannah cat that Dad just received as a gift from one of his golf buddies. He's planning to give it to Josh." Althea's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you...

serious?" Chase nodded firmly, a glimmer of excitement in his gaze. He noticed Althea had fallen behind, so he reached for her hand, gently urging her to keep pace. But she had chosen a cozy chair, clearly relishing the tranquility of the late afternoon. The view behind her was nothing short of breathtaking: a meticulously manicured garden stretched out like a scene from a postcard, and a koi pond bubbled softly, the gentle trickle of water creating a lively, serene atmosphere.

"Have you enjoyed yourself today?" Chase asked, his voice warm, reminiscent of the morning sun filtering through the trees. As Althea settled beside him, he held her hand tightly, pressing a tender kiss to her knuckles-a small indulgence that felt well-deserved after a few days of being consumed by foundation work and business discussions with Chris. "I have," Althea replied, her eyes sparkling with joy. "I spent some time cooking dinner with your mother.

We tackled a few other tasks together, too." "I'm so glad to hear that," Chase said, shifting slightly to lean his head against her shoulder. Moments like this were rare, and he savored the opportunity to be openly affectionate. "But I'm still curious about what Cale mentioned earlier," Althea interjected, her curiosity piquing despite her initial intention to brush it off. This was the truest version of Chase she had come to know-just a touch spoiled, perhaps. "What exactly are you curious about?" he asked, playfully rubbing the tip of his nose against her shoulder.

He inhaled deeply, catching her scent-a delightful mix of perfume intertwined with the softness of fabric conditioner, and perhaps a hint of the cooking she had done earlier. The Millers had a full culinary staff, a head chef overseeing every meal from breakfast to dinner. Yet tonight's dinner was special enough that his mother had rolled up her sleeves, eager to cook alongside her future daughter-in-law. Chase felt a swell of gratitude for the bond that was blossoming between Althea and his family, especially in the way they embraced Josh.

They treated him as if he had always been part of their lives, loving and protecting him without hesitation. Chase knew Althea could sense their sincerity-not only toward her son but toward her as well. "Cale said your ex-girlfriend was a model?" Althea ventured, her tone curious yet teasing. Chase scoffed, a hint of annoyance flashing across his face. "We never got that far. We were just close friends, and even that was brief. She was wrapped up in her own world, and... well, so was I." He tightened his grip on Althea's hand, as if to reassure her.

"But Chris seemed to back that up," Althea countered, her brow furrowing slightly. "He even offered me pictures of the two of you together." Chase shifted in his seat, tugging lightly at the chair Althea occupied. "Why even react to that? Chris and Cale were just trying to get under your skin, hoping we'd end up squabbling over something from my past." He didn't need to elaborate; Althea had already pieced together what Chase's brothers were up to. Still, a flicker of curiosity ignited within her.

In the three years she had known him, Chase had rarely divulged details about his romantic history. It wasn't really her business, and apparently, it wasn't anyone else's either. Even the other teachers seemed unaware of Chase Miller's entanglements with women. "I only met her a few times at a café. That hardly constitutes dating," Chase explained, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "Maybe because she's a model, the paparazzi snapped some photos-and Chris made sure they disappeared." When Althea remained silent, he pressed on, his tone earnest. "You don't need to worry about that.

It's all ancient history. Since I started pursuing you, you know I haven't been with anyone else, right? I wouldn't throw away three years of effort just to get close to you, Althea." A smile tugged at her lips despite her efforts to contain it. "Really?" "Yes," Chase affirmed, his voice firm. "You don't need to doubt me." "But Cale's words sounded very convincing," Althea teased, relishing the opportunity to turn the tables on him for once. Normally, he was the one driving her to the brink with his playful antics. This time, she reveled in having the upper hand.

"Didn't you say Cale's the quiet, serious one compared to Chris? I still remember you telling me how different your brothers' personalities are," she added, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Chase's jaw dropped in mock disbelief. "So... you believe Cale?" Althea met his gaze head-on, unwavering. "And if I do, shouldn't that be none of your concern?" "Mommy!" The cheerful shout pierced through their playful banter, prompting Althea to turn her head just as Chase rose from his chair. A bright, giggling little boy came barreling toward them.

"Uncle Chase!" "Hey, Champ!" Chase greeted, swooping down to scoop Josh into his arms. "Whoa, what happened to you? Your pant cuffs are a mess!" Josh giggled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I caught Nyu!" "Nyu?" Chase frowned, a look of confusion crossing his face. "Who's Nyu?" "GrandDad's turtle!" Josh exclaimed, pride evident in his voice. Chase's gaze darted to the middle-aged man, who was now deliberately avoiding his son's gaze. "Dad? What did you bring into this house now?" "Nothing," Daniel replied quickly, brushing it off. "Besides, Josh likes it, don't you?" "Yes!

I like GrandDad! And I like Leo too. I played with him earlier, but GrandDad said I shouldn't get too close." Chase set Josh down, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Come on, Champ. Let's get you into some clean pants. Grannie doesn't like it when you sit down to dinner in dirty clothes." "I'll take him," Althea offered, sensing the need for a gentle transition. "You should stay with your father." "Why me?" Chase shot her a look loaded with meaning. "I think my dad wants to talk to you." Althea's brow furrowed in concern. "Are you sure?" "Yeah.

Why not?" He took Josh's hand, already leading him away. "And... our conversation isn't over." "What were you and Mommy talking about?" Josh asked, curiosity written all over his face. "Hmmm... what do you think?" Chase teased, glancing back with a playful grin. "Was it about Leo? I don't want to bring Leo home. I already told GrandDad-Leo should stay here. Maybe I'll bring Nyu instead?" Chase burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the garden.

Althea pressed a hand to her forehead, shaking her head in amusement as the two boys-one grown, one small-wandered off toward the house, leaving her with Daniel Miller. Truthfully, her stomach tightened with apprehension. She had never really engaged in a one-on-one conversation with Chase's father before. Since their first encounter, Daniel had kept their exchanges polite yet minimal-formal, even. But with Josh around, his demeanor transformed, softening in a way that was impossible to ignore. Perhaps this was her opportunity.

If she could start with something light-hearted, it might pave the way to break the ice before they reached the dining room. "Thank you, Sir-" Conclusion As Althea prepared to engage with Daniel, a sense of warmth enveloped her. The laughter of Chase and Josh echoed in the background, a reminder of the family she was becoming a part of. The playful banter and lighthearted moments shared earlier had not only deepened her connection with Chase but had also illuminated the love and acceptance surrounding them. Althea felt a profound sense of belonging, one that had eluded her for so long.

The shadows of her past, filled with uncertainty and isolation, began to dissipate. With each passing moment, she realized that she was not merely stepping into Chase's world; she was creating a new one alongside him, where joy, laughter, and mutual respect flourished. As she approached Daniel, Althea's heart raced, but it was a thrill born not of fear but of hope. The prospect of forging a relationship with Chase's father felt like a pivotal step in solidifying her place within this family.

Will she manage to break through the formal barriers that have defined their relationship thus far? With Josh's innocent chatter providing a backdrop, Althea finds herself at a crossroads-caught between her desire to connect with Chase's father and the nerves that threaten to hold her back. Readers can expect a delicate exploration of family dynamics as Althea navigates this pivotal moment, potentially opening doors to deeper understanding and acceptance within the Miller family.

Meanwhile, the playful banter between Chase and Josh hints at the lightheartedness that permeates their relationship, but there's an underlying tension that lingers-one that stems from Chase's past. As Althea's curiosity about Chase's ex-girlfriend simmers, the question remains: how will this revelation impact their budding romance? With Chris and Cale lurking in the background, eager to stir the pot, the stakes are raised higher than ever. Will Althea's playful teasing lead to a confrontation, or will it strengthen the bond she shares with Chase?