Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 14

They both knew exactly who was sneaking around inside.

Sebastian also knew that Elara fully understood what he was asking.

He couldn't fathom why Elara was pretending not to know, why she was trying to brush it off.

Was it because she still loved Julian? Because she didn't want a divorce and didn't want Melody to lose her father?

A man who could abandon his wife and child to cheat during a banquet was no longer a qualified husband, let alone a good father.

Elara herself had been a divorce lawyer. Did she honestly not know that tolerating a piece of trash was tantamount to aiding and abetting him, and that it would never bring back the good husband and father he used to be?

She should know better, so why was she still forgiving Julian and helping him cover it up?

Elara had no desire to discuss her failed marriage with him here. She playfully changed the subject. "The man of the hour sneaking out to slack off—isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"Let's go back. Everyone is waiting for you to cut the cake."

Sebastian remained perfectly still, his eyes locked onto her.

If he wasn't going to leave, Elara wasn't going to mind him. She turned to walk away on her own.

"He betrayed you and Melody."

Sebastian watched her resolute retreating back and spoke up once more. "Is it worth it?"

This time, Elara didn't falter for even a second.

Returning to the banquet hall from the side door, Elara first made a stop at the restroom. She touched up her makeup so her complexion didn't look quite so ghastly, then headed back to find Melody.

The butler had stayed by the child's side the entire time. Seeing Elara return, he handed Melody back to her before respectfully taking his leave.

Elara took a seat, and Melody immediately offered her a pastry.

She thanked her and took it. Noticing her daughter craning her neck to look behind her, Elara curiously turned to look as well. "What are you looking for?"

Melody asked, "Didn't Dad come back with you?"

She had been gone for quite a while, so Melody assumed her mother had gone to find her father.

Elara hesitated before answering truthfully, "...No."

Melody retracted her gaze in disappointment. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Can I call Dad?"

Elara unlocked her phone, found Julian's number in her contacts, and handed the phone to Melody. "You dial it."

"Thanks, Mom."

Melody happily set down her drink and dialed Julian's number.

The phone rang for a long time, nearly going to voicemail before it was finally picked up.

"Dad!"

The banquet hall was a bit noisy, so Melody held the phone with one hand and cupped the other around her mouth, raising her voice. "Where are you? Why haven't you come to find Mom and me yet?"

Julian wanted custody of the child in the future, and Vivian could see that clearly.

She had never imagined becoming a stepmother at such a young age, but this was Julian's daughter. She could tolerate it, and if it really didn't work out, they could always send the kid away later.

However, after their brief interaction tonight, Vivian realized this daughter was the only thing that could actually trigger Elara's emotions.

Before tonight—whether it was the shower photo she sent, her subtle provocations in the office this morning, or showing up at the birthday banquet with Julian tonight—Elara had acted completely unfazed.

Elara was too calm, so calm that despite her repeated hints and taunts, she couldn't get a rise out of the woman.

"Alright, since you say so, I'll trust you."

A strand of hair had fallen onto the back of Julian's collar. Vivian stepped forward, picked it off, and straightened his collar, only stopping when she was satisfied with the half-exposed hickey she had left on his neck.

"I really like Melody too, but my dad's side..."

Vivian skillfully left the thought hanging, gracefully pivoting the conversation back to Elara. "Will Ms. Sterling really agree to let Melody stay with us?"

Julian paused, flashes of Elara's endless devotion to their daughter over the years instantly springing to mind.

The answer was crystal clear. Elara would never agree.

"She has no choice."

Julian picked up his phone and turned to walk out. "She's been out of the workforce for years. Without a job, she can't provide for a child."