Ex-husband wants me back novel

Chapter 538 Daven looked at her for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Thank you, Eli," he said. "And it looks like you helped prepare this welcome for me too?" "Just a small contribution," she replied. "Then it means a lot to me." Daven stepped closer and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. Eli looked a little surprised-but her smile grew wider. She didn't mind that the others barely spoke to her. For Eli, being able to help and witness a warm moment like this was more than enough. That was when Selena finally stepped into the living room.

The atmosphere, which had been light and cheerful, shifted almost imperceptibly. Selena approached at an unhurried pace, her eyes sweeping across the room. "It looks like your return came with a great deal of luck," she said to Daven. "The problem dragging you down is almost over, and the welcome is quite impressive too. I've been watching the news about your release since this morning. My, you've really been dominating the headlines in SunCity, haven't you?" No one responded. Riana merely glanced at her briefly before turning back to the staff.

"Starting tomorrow, please pay special attention to Althea's meals," she instructed. "Her nutrition needs to be carefully monitored." Several attendants exchanged surprised looks before quickly nodding. "And don't let her spend too long in the kitchen. This is a special request from me. Whatever she wants to make, someone must assist her. I don't want her getting exhausted." "Yes, Mrs. Miller," the head attendant replied obediently. Selena frowned. "What's going on with Althea?" she asked. Riana turned toward her-reluctantly-but the joy on her face was impossible to hide.

"Althea is pregnant." The room immediately filled with congratulations. "Congratulations, ma'am." "That's wonderful news." Eli looked at Althea, her eyes bright. "Congratulations," she said sincerely. "I'm really happy for you." Althea smiled warmly. "Thank you, Eli." But on the other side, Selena's expression changed. Her gaze moved quickly from Althea to Daven. "Pregnant?" she repeated quietly. 1/4 +25 Bonus Then her tone sharpened. "How is that possible?" Every conversation in the room came to an abrupt stop. "Haven't the two of you been separated for quite some time?" Selena continued.

"Or... is there something the rest of us don't know?" The air seemed to freeze. Daven's expression hardened instantly. "Watch your words," he said coldly. But Althea gently held his arm. She stepped forward, her face calm. "Why should you even concern yourself with whether this child is Daven's or not?" Althea said softly, her voice gentle but unmistakably firm. Selena stared at her, displeasure flashing in her eyes. "What exactly is your position in this house, Selena?" Althea continued. "You are a guest.' The silence deepened. "No one here doubts me," she added.

"And I don't need validation from an outsider." No one stepped in. Nathan remained silent, his expression cold and unreadable. Riana turned her face away. Even the attendants stood perfectly still, as if they had collectively decided not to look at Selena at all. That silence hurt far more than any outright rejection. Selena's face flushed, the reaction nothing like what she had expected. She still couldn't believe news like that had come at a time like this. "Eli," she said sharply. "We're leaving." Eli turned toward her. "Now." For a few seconds, Eli didn't move.

She looked at her mother uncertainly, her hands twisting together before her gaze drifted toward Riana and then to Althea. If she were honest with herself, she wanted to stay. Being here, even on the edge of the family, felt... warm. Even if she might be kept at a distance, it didn't matter. She just wanted to remain a little longer. And because of that quiet wish, she slowly shook her head. "I don't want to go." Selena froze. "What?" 2/4 Bonus "I want to stay here," Eli said softly. "I want to celebrate today with them." "Eli!" Selena's voice rose sharply.

Her hands clenched, nails digging into her palms, though she felt no pain. There was only one thing she felt-Humiliation. In front of the staff. In front of the family, she had intended to dominate. And worst of all... Eli was no longer standing on her side. Althea stepped forward and came to stand beside Eli. "If Eli wants to stay, let her," Althea said calmly. "She's here as our guest." Eli looked at her in surprise. Althea smiled and gave her shoulder a gentle pat. "Sit next to Aunt Lydia," she said warmly. "You've been helping since this afternoon, haven't you?

You must be happy about Josh's father coming home." Eli nodded quickly. "Yes, Mrs. Althea. I'm really happy for your family today." She immediately moved to Lydia's side. Lydia didn't treat her coldly or look at her with suspicion. Instead, the woman slipped an arm around her shoulders, thanked her for the help, and began whispering about something else-something completely unrelated to the tension in the room. Selena stood rigid where she was. For the first time, she saw something she had long refused to acknowledge. Eli was no longer entirely under her control.

"If you'd like to join us," Althea said softly, though there was a clear warning in her tone, "you're welcome to. I won't stop you." She paused, her gaze steady. "But I don't want to hear anything else from you.' Selena bristled. As if that weren't enough, Althea continued, "Because everything you say makes us uncomfortable. And you are only a guest here-someone who should respect the owners of this house." Her voice softened, but the meaning landed like a blade.

"Remember, you are not the owner of this home." Selena's hands tightened into fists, her eyes flashing with sharp resentment as she stared at Althea. Meanwhile, Althea smiled-calm, composed, and unmistakably satisfied. "Well?" she asked lightly. "Can you do that?" 3/4 admin