The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 401

Chocking Mycelt

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Choosing Myself

MARY’S POV:

I pulled the gear shift back into drive, stepped down on the gas pedal, and began the long drive back to

the house.

The entire house was pitch black and silent when I unlocked the front door and walked inside.

The downstairs lights were all turned off, with the only bit of light coming from a small table lamp sitting in the corner of the living room. Its soft yellow glow cast long, dark shadows across the hardwood floor, bathing the furniture in warm shades of amber. I stood in the quiet entryway for a moment and heard the faint sound of a cartoon show coming from Elowen’s bedroom up the stairs, followed by the quiet sound of her talking to the nanny.

I walked quietly down the stairs and then the hallway, pushed the bedroom door open, and stepped

inside.

My small daughter was sitting up near the top of her mattress, her favorite stuffed brown rabbit tucked firmly under her left arm while her big eyes stayed glued to the small television screen on the dresser. The temporary nanny was sitting right next to her on the edge of the bed, a kind young woman with soft features and a warm smile. Elowen looked so tiny sitting against those big white pillows, her dark hair messy from rolling around in bed, and her light pink pajamas looking soft and worn from dozens of trips through the laundry.

“Mommy!” Her small face lit up with absolute joy the second she spotted me standing near the door. You finally came home!”

I crossed the soft carpet in three quick steps, sat down on the edge of her mattress, and pulled her small body tight into my arms. She felt so warm and light against my chest, her tiny arms wrapping around my neck with total trust. She smelled sweetly of baby soap, clean cotton, and sleep, that familiar scent that had always managed to make me feel grounded no matter how bad my life got.

“I am right here, my sweet girl,” I whispered, pressing a long kiss against the soft top of her head.

“Where is Daddy tonight?”

The simple question felt like a heavy stone dropping straight into the bottom of my stomach. I had known she was going to ask it, and I had tried my best to prepare an answer on the drive home, but hearing her sweet voice say those words still hurt deeply. It was the exact same question she had asked me dozens of times over the past six months, always with that same hopeful look on her face, and always with that quiet, sad tone in her voice.

“Your daddy is very busy with some work things tonight, sweetie,” I said, keeping my voice as calm and gentle as possible. “But he loves you so much. He is always going to love you no matter what happens. I need you to remember that, okay?”

Elowen gave me a slow nod, though I could clearly see the deep confusion floating in her big dark eyes. She was far too young to understand the messy, terrible things happening between grown adults, and far

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ng Mysel

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too young to understand betrayal, lies, and broken promises. All her little heart understood was that her father was almost never at home anymore, and that fact made her feel sad and lonely.

“Mommy has to go away for a little while,” I told her softly, stroking her soft hair back from her forehead.” Just for a few hours so I can take care of some important work. But I am going to come right back home to you. And the nanny is going to stay right here in the house to take good care of you until I get back. Is that okay with you?”

Her eyes went big and round. “Where are you going to go, Mommy?”

“I just need to go meet with some people to handle some important adult business, sweetie. But I am going to call you on the phone every time. I promise you.”

She stared at my face for a long time, her intelligent eyes searching my expression to see if I was upset. I could see her small mind working hard, trying to figure out what was happening, but she did not push me for any more answers. She just gave me another quiet nod.

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