Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 137

Melody had no idea her father was hovering in the hallway, eavesdropping through a cracked door.

Since Julian was sneaking around, Elara happily played along.

"Do you think Daddy loves you?" Elara asked, following Melody's lead.

Melody was quiet for a long time before whispering, "I think he doesn't love me anymore."

Elara didn't ask why.

Julian's recent behavior was the only answer needed.

A faint rustle came from the hallway, so quiet none of the three in the room acknowledged it.

Having poured her heart out, Melody was overwhelmed with sorrow. Despite trying desperately not to cry so her eyes wouldn't swell further, the tears spilled over.

Thankfully, the cold towel soaked them up before her mother or grandmother could notice.

Melody sniffled, her voice trembling. "Mommy, can you... can you promise never to yell at me?"

Elara was caught off guard. "What?"

"If you ever get annoyed or mad at me, can you just tell me nicely?"

Melody's voice shrank into a fragile, desperate plea. Her tiny fingers twisted in Elara's palm before gripping her mother's fingers tightly.

"If I do something bad, just tell me what I did wrong and how to fix it. I'll fix it."

"As long as you talk to me, I'll listen and do better."

"Just please don't yell at me."

"I get so scared."

Before Melody even finished, Elara knew Julian's explosive temper had terrified the poor girl.

The second the words left her mouth, Elara answered without a shred of hesitation. "I promise."

"Mommy promises you that no matter what happens, I will always be patient. I will always talk to you gently. I will never scream, yell, or do anything to scare you."

Elara let out a soft, heartbroken laugh. "Deal."

Melody affectionately rubbed her cheek against Elara's palm. "I'll try really hard not to get mad, or throw tantrums, or cry..."

Even she seemed to realize her promise sounded flimsy. Her sweet, childish voice grew quieter until she curled herself into a tiny ball, wishing she could hide entirely inside her mother's hand.

"I really am trying not to be mad or cry, Mommy. You have to believe me."

"I just don't know why, even when I don't want to cry, my eyes won't listen. The tears just fall. And when I can't stop them, I get scared, and being scared makes me cry more."

"I believe you."

Elara let the little girl cling to her hand, her other hand gently rubbing Melody's back.

"Crying is just a way of showing how you feel."

"You're still little. You don't know how to explain what you need like adults do. So when you want to say something but can't find the words, you get frustrated and cry. It's your way of saying 'I have something to say' or 'I don't like this'."