Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 46

Melody's immediate instinct was to yell "Yes!" but she caught herself right before the word slipped out. Remembering her furious grudge, she slapped both hands over her mouth and aggressively spun around, presenting him with her back once again to block out any dangerous empathy.

If he had apologized properly last night, it would have only taken two tries to win her over.

But since he had yelled and then completely vanished, it was going to take at least four... no, three solid attempts to earn her forgiveness.

This was barely attempt number one. She absolutely refused to cave so early!

A mix of fond amusement and utter helplessness washed over Julian.

"It's totally fine if you're not ready,"

Julian said, letting his hands fall awkwardly to his lap. He smoothly shifted tactics. "I'll just keep trying my best to prove I deserve your forgiveness."

With that, he pushed himself up from the mattress.

Assuming he was bailing on her again, Melody whipped her head around in a blind panic. With her little hands still clamped over her mouth, she looked devastatingly pitiful.

Their eyes locked. Realizing he wasn't actually bolting for the door, she let out a haughty little huff and dramatically snapped her attention back to the wall.

She wasn't some cheap date!

Julian suppressed a smile, choosing not to call out her adorable bluff. Instead, he walked over to her closet to pick out her outfit for the day.

"What do you want to wear today?"

Her preschool had a uniform policy, but since it was the dead of winter, the kids usually showed up bundled in their own warm clothes.

Melody was incredibly particular about her style. Elara usually curated a few options, but the final verdict always belonged to the tiny fashionista.

Julian held up a dress and a pair of trousers. "Which one?"

Finding both options repulsive, Melody gave a firm shake of her head.

"Alright, let me try again."

He shoved them back into the wardrobe, frantically rummaging through the hangers.

Melody sat cross-legged on the bed, doing nothing but vehemently rejecting every single piece he pulled out. Her mood grew fouler by the second.

The scabs on her knee were still incredibly tender. Wearing a skirt meant pairing it with tight thermal leggings, which would painfully chafe against the wound.

Normally, she'd fight tooth and nail for the prettiest dress, but since she was injured, she happily surrendered to practical comfort.

"Dad completely forgot about my bad knee."

Melody thrust her arms up as Elara pulled the sweater over her head. Her muffled voice from beneath the knit fabric dripped with devastating grievance.

"He kept picking out the tightest, scratchiest clothes."

"I have giant owies on my knee, and tight pants always hurt. But Dad doesn't care about my feelings at all."

Julian recoiled like he'd been shot.

Her knee... was still really that badly hurt?

"Probably,"

Elara replied casually, not even looking up. "After all, your dad has been incredibly busy lately."

Elara always made it a point to rein in her venom around Melody. She never trash-talked Julian to their daughter or used the child as a pawn in their marital crossfire.