Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 23

"Sorry, I forgot."

Julian avoided Elara's gaze, pulling out his phone. "I'll have my driver take you both back."

Elara watched him, silently observing.

She let out a hollow laugh.

So this was what it felt like to be treated with such agonizing indifference by the person you loved.

After handing her gown and jewelry over to the estate staff, Elara took Melody to say goodbye to Sebastian and formally invited him to Melody's upcoming birthday party.

Sebastian didn't ask why they were leaving early. He cast a brief glance at Julian, stared deeply at Elara for a moment, and then turned his attention to Melody.

"Goodbye," Sebastian said softly, adjusting her little hat with a meaningful smile. "Make sure to keep in touch."

Melody waved her hand. "Bye, Sebastian."

The mountain air was biting cold. Both Elara and Melody had changed back into their everyday clothes, wrapped tightly in scarves and hats.

The Vance family had arranged dinner for the guests' drivers in the adjacent building.

By the time the family of three stepped outside, the car was already idling by the entrance.

Julian carried Melody and gently placed her in the backseat, leaning in to buckle her seatbelt himself.

Just as he was about to pull away, Melody grabbed his hand, her voice thick with anxiety. "Daddy, are you coming home tonight?"

"I am."

Julian gently stroked his daughter's head, trying to soothe her. "You go home with Mom first. If you get sleepy, just go to bed."

"But you said you were coming home last time, and you never did."

Unconvinced, Melody clung to him, refusing to let go. Her lower lip trembled as she asked, "Daddy, did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me? Do you not love me anymore?"

She was a sensitive child, prone to slipping into these dark spirals. Julian was used to handling it. The difference was that he used to try so hard to prove his love, doing whatever it took to reassure her.

Now, he simply couldn't make those same promises.

Julian pressed a kiss to her forehead. "No, sweetie. Daddy loves you."

The headlights cast a long shadow over Melody's face, blocking her view and muddying her perception of his tone.

He had only taken a small sip of Melody's honey tea while Elara was still watching.

Having pacified his daughter, Julian backed out of the car and turned to Elara. "Text me when you get home."

Elara gave a curt nod, tossing out a casual reminder. "Go easy on the drinks."

The door clicked shut, and the driver steered the car away from the Vance Estate.

As soon as the vehicle turned around, Elara glanced in the rearview mirror. Julian had already turned on his heel, striding back toward the main house until his silhouette vanished from the glass.

Julian's driver had worked for him for years, and Elara knew the man well enough to ask if he had eaten dinner.

The driver confirmed he had.

Having overheard their parting exchange and realizing the mother and daughter hadn't eaten a proper meal, he asked, "Have you guys not eaten yet?"

"We skipped the main course, but we had plenty of cake and snacks."

The heater hummed quietly in the cabin. Elara untied Melody's scarf and remarked casually, "It's Julian I'm worried about. He's been networking all night without a bite to eat."