Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 78

"I love you the most!"

Melody stood up on the sofa, threw her arms around Elara, and planted a loud kiss on her cheek. "I will love you forever and ever, and when I grow up, I'll protect you just like you protect me."

Startled by the sudden declaration of love, Elara quickly secured her grip on Melody so she wouldn't tumble off the sofa. Once Melody had finished her kissing spree, Elara laughed helplessly and returned a kiss to her daughter's cheek.

"I love you too."

"I know, hehe."

Melody kept her arms wrapped tightly around Elara's neck, nuzzling against her affectionately. "But I just wanted to tell you, Mom, and I'm going to keep telling you I love you forever and ever."

"Okay."

Elara had already informed the maids that someone was coming over to help set up the birthday party. Since she and Melody had been taking a break, the maids had already started prepping the necessary decorations.

Seeing that it was about time, Elara gently patted Melody's back. "Let's go help the maids."

"Okay, Mom."

Melody obediently let go of Elara, slid off the sofa, and put her shoes on by herself.

Mother and daughter held hands and started walking toward the staff.

"Wait."

As they walked past Julian, he suddenly grabbed Elara's wrist.

Elara stopped and looked at him in confusion.

Julian held her gaze for a moment, then looked down at Melody.

Melody was looking back at them with curiosity, but the moment Julian's eyes met hers, the little girl let out a cold hmph and turned her head away.

"..."

Julian retracted his gaze and asked dryly, "How... how am I supposed to..."

Since Melody had been old enough to understand things, this was the first time she had rationally and deliberately directed her anger at one specific person.

And that person was her own father.

Julian was completely out of arguments.

Desperate, his mind flashed back to when he and Elara were dating. Whenever they had a fight, whoever was at fault would shove cash into the other's piggy bank as an apology.

A decade later, the piggy bank was long gone, and stuffing cash into it had evolved into digital transfers.

Julian quickly pulled out his phone. "I'll transfer money to you. The two of you can hold me accountable."

Elara wasn't having it. "Words mean nothing. How many verbal promises have you broken lately?"

Melody nodded vigorously. "Exactly. I'm never believing him again anyway."

With his daughter putting her foot down, Julian was out of options. "Then what do you want?"

"Sign a contract."

"Every time you break a promise, you transfer fifty thousand dollars into Melody's account."

Julian sucked in a breath. "W-What? Fifty grand?!"