My ex husband wants me back (Daven and Althea) novel Chapter 623

The words were simple, almost no more than a whisper. And yet, somehow, that made them mean even more.

Their eyes met.

And for the first time that night, Lydia truly saw her—not just as a teenage girl, but as someone who had grown used to standing just outside the circle, careful not to take up too much space.

Lydia’s smile softened, turning warmer, gentler. “Thank you, Eli,” she said, reaching out to take Eli’s hand, holding it firmly—reassuringly.

Eli’s chest swelled with quiet happiness at that simple acceptance. After a moment, she made her way toward the table where Althea was seated, settling down not too far from her—just like Josh and Grace had.

As soon as Grace sat, the food on the table caught her full attention, especially the chocolate pudding she loved so much. Her eyes lit up with excitement. “Can I try it, Mom?”

Before Althea could answer, Cale had already stepped in, taking a seat beside her. “Of course. You can eat as much as you like. Anything here is yours.”

“Even the ones over there?” Josh asked, pointing toward the bar where rows of alcoholic drinks were neatly displayed.

Cale ruffled Josh’s hair without a second thought, ignoring the boy’s immediate protest as his hairstyle was ruined. “Getting bold now, are we?”

“I’m asking, Uncle Cale,” Josh shot back. “If it’s not allowed, you can just say so.”

Daven could only shake his head at the exchange between Cale and Josh, while Althea lowered her gaze slightly, her attention already shifting to Chase, who had begun to fuss for milk. Her hands moved instinctively, soothing the baby with a gentleness that had long become part of her.

The atmosphere in that corner grew livelier—layers of laughter overlapping, conversations weaving into one another, the soft clink of glasses occasionally rising above the gentle music in the background. Everything felt warm… so warm that, for a moment, Lydia almost forgot that her life had become this full, this happy.

She was deeply grateful—grateful she had been given the chance to wake up after that terrible accident. The recovery hadn’t been easy, not at all, but she had gone through it surrounded by a family that held her with such unwavering warmth.

And then, amid the easy flow of laughter and voices, another set of footsteps approached.

Unhurried. Unassuming. Not meant to draw attention—and yet, somehow, enough to make a few heads turn.

Not because it was strange… but because something about it felt different.

Riana Miller arrived like someone who had long been used to standing at the center without ever needing to claim it. Her elegant dress moved softly with each step, her gaze calm yet bright with quiet happiness—and when she smiled, the warmth in the air seemed to deepen.

“Well, I finally made it,” she said lightly.

Felicia turned at once. “Aunt Riana!”

Without hesitation, Felicia walked over, Kalina close behind her with a bright smile. Riana welcomed them as if they were her own—pulling Felicia into a brief hug before gently patting Kalina’s arm.

“You two really haven’t changed,” she said with a soft laugh. “Still the loudest wherever you go.”

“This is a special event,” Felicia replied easily. “We had to make sure everything was perfect.”

“And you did,” Riana answered without missing a beat. Her gaze swept briefly over the decorations before softening again. She didn’t linger there long. Instead, she continued forward—this time toward Althea.

“My dear Althea,” her voice shifted, noticeably gentler.

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