Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 306

"No thank you."

Melody skipped over to Elara, grabbing her hand and looking up with a bright smile. "I want to walk with you, Mommy."

Elara's heart melted. She leaned down and pressed a firm kiss to her daughter's cheek. "Thank you, sweetie!"

Once everything was packed into a canvas tote, Jocelyn double-checked the contents. Just as she was about to lift it, a large hand reached in from the side.

"I've got it."

Sebastian effortlessly hoisted the heavy bag full of snacks and drinks.

Jocelyn paused, ready to offer a polite protest, but Sebastian was already turning toward the door. She had no choice but to swallow her polite objections.

The group of four headed out toward Bayside Commons.

Even though the male figure accompanying them wasn't Julian, Melody felt an overwhelming sense of contentment.

When her father used to come home, he would take them on picnics. He would carry the heavy bags just like Sebastian, leaving Melody and her mother to hold hands and follow happily behind.

Ever since Julian stopped coming home, the three of them had never gone on a family outing again.

Sometimes, her mother and Jocelyn would take her to the park, but it never felt quite as fun. Something was always missing.

Melody had never been able to articulate that lingering sense of emptiness, but in this moment, it suddenly made sense.

She missed having a reliable, protective presence—a parental figure who could share the burden, keeping her and her mother safe so they could just relax and have fun.

When it was just her mother and Jocelyn, her mother was always stressed, constantly scanning their surroundings and managing logistics. Even though she was physically there, she was too distracted to truly play.

"Sebastian."

Melody jogged forward, reaching up to grab Sebastian's free hand. Her hand was so small that she could only wrap her fingers around two of his.

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