Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 181

In front of their daughter, they couldn't avoid interacting intimately.

Now that Melody had fallen asleep, he should have easily found an excuse to leave.

But Julian didn't. His mind was entirely consumed by Melody's recent resistance toward him—her tears, her oscillating hopes and disappointments, and the agonized expression on her face just moments ago while trapped in a nightmare.

All these images of his daughter blurred together, morphing into a single, haunting question: Was he the cause of Melody's nightmares?

It wasn't until this very moment that Julian truly grasped how deeply he had hurt his daughter over the past few weeks.

She was already miserable enough during the day; how could she still be suffering in her sleep?

Guilt, self-blame, agony, remorse, and overwhelming helplessness—every emotion a father ought to feel surged through him all at once.

Julian couldn't help but think back to his own parents' divorce, remembering the raw feelings he had experienced when it was just him and his mother relying on each other.

Hadn't he promised to give Melody a stable, happy life?

How had he become the source of her pain instead?

He stood frozen in place, seemingly looking at them but entirely lost in his own conflicted thoughts.

Elara finally lost her patience and looked up at him. "Did you have something to say?"

It took a second for Julian to meet her gaze, and he belatedly shook his head.

Elara didn't push the issue. She glanced at his clothes, noticing he was still wearing the same outfit he had arrived in. "Go take a shower and get some sleep."

Julian nodded, but he didn't move.

Elara didn't rush him.

He was a grown man, a father; there was no need for her to coddle him.

Noticing him constantly glancing at Melody, Elara subtly shifted inward and asked, "Are you getting in?"

By making room, she was silently inviting him to sit beside her.

They were husband and wife. Sitting close together was the most natural thing in the world, something they used to do all the time.

Julian found it hard to answer, yet equally hard to decline. He remained silent, his eyes fixed only on Melody.

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