Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 118

This time, Vivian didn't put up a fuss or try to act cute. She dutifully swallowed every bite Julian fed her, finishing almost half the pudding.

Setting the bowl aside, Julian took a napkin and gently wiped her hands and mouth. "Want some fruit?"

Vivian shook her head, staring at him intently. It was as if she were trying to carve his image into her retinas, watching him for a very, very long time.

"When are you heading back?" she suddenly asked.

Julian paused, then answered honestly, "I'll give you a sponge bath first, then I'll leave."

Vivian immediately offered a considerate smile. "Okay. I'll go take a bath right now, then."

Julian stopped her. "You just ate. Rest for a bit."

"But..."

"No buts."

Julian gently but firmly pushed her back down onto the bed. "Listen to me today."

"...Alright."

Vivian lay back obediently without another word of protest.

It was seven-thirty. His daughter's birthday party was likely winding down anyway. At this point, leaving a few minutes early or late wouldn't make a difference.

The birthday party officially wrapped up around seven-forty.

Elara and Melody saw off her little friends, handing each of them a goodie bag Elara had packed herself.

Meredith had taken advantage of the farewells to slip away under the guise of using the restroom. Instead, she slipped into the nursery to make her call to Julian.

After hanging up, she lingered in the nursery for a while, mapping out exactly how she was going to explain things to Maddox before finally stepping out.

The moment she opened the door, she locked eyes with Sebastian, who was scrolling on his phone in the hallway.

Meredith froze in shock, but quickly rearranged her features and walked toward him. "The kids have all gone home. Why are you out here playing on your phone, Sebastian?"

"Any word from Julian?" Maddox asked.

Initially, Elara hadn't intended to tell the complete truth, but she couldn't withstand Maddox's piercing gaze.

She bit her lip, struggling visibly with the dilemma, before finally admitting, "I can't reach him."

Her tone sounded normal, but her expression and demeanor were completely at odds with her usual decisive self. Anyone could tell she was reacting out of sheer helplessness, burdened by deep grievance.

Maddox was all too familiar with this look of painful resignation.

Unbidden, a memory surfaced in his mind—the memory of his own daughter, years ago, wearing that exact same tormented, hesitant expression, swallowing her suffering time and time again.

"Does he do this often?"

Maddox's tone was as strict and harsh as ever, but he subconsciously softened his volume.

"How long has this been going on?"