My ex husband wants me back (Daven and Althea) novel Chapter 788

His voice was calm and even. There was no obvious sadness in it. No trace of lingering grief. It sounded almost as casual as if he were commenting on the weather.

And somehow, that was what surprised Naomi the most. “I'm sorry for your loss.”

Josh smiled faintly. “I was sad back then too.”

Naomi turned to look at him. Josh kept his gaze fixed on the photograph in front of him.

“I was so sad,” he continued quietly, “that there were times I wanted to follow Dad Chase.”

His voice remained calm, but the words landed heavily. “He was the best man God ever brought into my life.”

Naomi said nothing, simply listening.

“Dad Chase was incredible.” The pride in Josh’s voice was unmistakable. “He always had time for us. He always knew when I was upset or when I was lying. And he made the best pancakes every Sunday morning.”

A soft laugh escaped Naomi before she could stop it. For some reason, that last detail made everything feel so real.

“I think that’s a wonderful memory.”

“It is.”

Josh smiled. “That’s why I don’t like staying sad for too long. Mommy says being sad is a very human thing. But we still have to keep living with the memories we shared with the people who left before us. We carry them in our hearts and remember them.”

Naomi stared at him in confusion. She had never expected words like that to come from a boy younger than herself.

Josh simply shrugged. “I believe Daddy Chase is still watching over me.”

The statement left Naomi momentarily speechless. “I know it sounds strange.”

“Not really,” Naomi replied softly.

“He had a lot of hopes for me.” Josh lowered his head briefly before a faint smile curved his lips. “As his eldest son.”

Naomi nodded absentmindedly. Then, a few seconds later, something clicked. “Wait.”

Josh turned toward her. “Didn’t you just say you were his eldest son?”

“Yeah.”

“But...” Naomi hesitated.

Josh let out a small laugh. “I know what you’re about to ask.”

Naomi gave him an awkward grin.

“It’s okay.” Josh turned back to the photograph. “I’m not actually his biological son.”

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