Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 296

Now, Julian was directing that exact same ice toward Elara and Melody, all for Vivian's sake.

Elara never held any illusions that Julian would negotiate their divorce in good faith.

Stumbling upon that Divorce Settlement Draft hidden in his briefcase had only cemented her resolve.

She was profoundly grateful that from the exact second she uncovered his infidelity, she hadn't wavered in her decision to drag him to court.

Muting Julian's notifications, Elara tossed her phone onto the counter and walked into the bathroom.

"Mommy."

Winter clothes were thick and layered, but by the time Elara walked in, Melody had already undressed herself. She announced with absolute solemnity, "I know how to wash myself now. You don't need to help!"

"Alright, alright, I won't help."

Elara raised her hands in surrender, respecting her daughter's independence. "But I'm a little worried leaving you in here all by yourself. Is it okay if I just sit right here?"

Truthfully, ever since starting Shoreline Preschool, Melody had been learning to bathe herself. It still mostly required adult supervision, but she could follow instructions to wash her own hair and body.

Starting last week, she had suddenly declared she didn't want any grown-up help and insisted on doing it all alone.

Neither Elara nor Jocelyn Sterling were entirely comfortable leaving her unsupervised in the slippery bathroom, so they always ended up sneaking peaks.

Her blood was still running a bit hot from her texts with Julian, making her temporarily forget her daughter's new boundary and walk right in.

Even if she stepped out now, she knew she'd just end up hovering anxiously by the door. She figured it was better to just ask to stay.

Melody scrunched her little nose. She actually knew her mom and grandma had been spying on her the past few days. She understood they were just worried, so she hadn't made a fuss about it.

Having her mom sit in the bathroom didn't seem all that different from having her peek through the crack in the door.

Melody chewed her lip for a second before giving a reluctant nod. "Okay, fine."

"You can stay, as long as you don't help."

"Deal. Thank you."

Elara played along. Worrying her intense gaze might make her daughter self-conscious, she asked, "Is it okay if I bring my phone in to look at while you wash?"

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