Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 136

A heavy weight settled squarely on Julian's chest, suffocating and miserable.

They headed upstairs and stopped outside Melody's door.

Elara gripped the handle, turning to Julian with an outstretched hand. "Give me the milk. If you go in there right now, you'll only trigger her."

Julian hesitated, battling his own guilt, before carefully passing the mug over. "Careful, it's hot."

As Elara took it, Julian pushed the door open for her.

He let her step inside and closed it agonizingly slowly, using the sliver of an opening to peek into the room.

Melody had already showered and was sitting on the sofa while her grandmother dried her hair.

The whir of the hairdryer drowned out their conversation, leaving Julian to stare at the back of his daughter's head.

Seeing her little feet kicking back and forth, he figured she had calmed down.

He exhaled softly, leaving the door cracked just a fraction so he could listen to her voice.

Inside, Jocelyn switched off the hairdryer as Elara approached.

"No wonder you took so long. You were warming up milk."

She directed the comment at her granddaughter, but her eyes slid past Elara, locking onto the crack in the door.

"Yeah."

Elara replied breezily, her light tone signaling absolute victory.

Jocelyn hid a satisfied smirk and put the hairdryer away.

Melody reached for the mug, but Elara coaxed her to lie down instead. "It's still too hot. Let's ice your eyes first. You can drink it in a minute."

"Okay, Mommy."

Melody obediently lay back.

Elara folded the chilled towel and placed it gently over the little girl's swollen eyes.

Melody relaxed again.

Fearing the interruption had derailed her train of thought, Elara nudged her gently. "Can you tell me why you were so angry?"

Melody had indeed lost her courage. She said 'okay,' but the words died in her throat.

"Was it because Daddy touched your special gift?" Elara guided.

"Yes."

Melody forced herself not to nod. Her voice grew louder, thick with suppressed, muffled tears.

"Daddy did something bad. He didn't say sorry, I didn't forgive him, and I didn't want to talk to him."

"But he touched my present without asking. He didn't respect me."

"And he broke his promise again. I'm so mad. I don't think he loves me anymore."