Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 80

He took a few steps, then felt that since they had just made an agreement, leaving without a word might provoke Elara into demanding another transfer.

Julian hesitated, stopped, and walked back to Elara and Melody.

"I have something to take care of, so I need to go out," he said, standing beside them.

It was the weekend. What possible business could he have at the company?

Elara looked up and stared at him intently for a moment. "Company business?"

Julian's eyes darted away as he offered a vague reply. "Something like that."

The truth was already written all over his micro-expressions.

Elara instinctively clenched her hands. Even though she knew exactly where he was going and that he was lying straight to her face, she forced herself to keep it together and replied flatly, "Drive safe."

Her tone was utterly casual, as if she couldn't care less, completely disconnected from the woman who had just weaponized money to criticize him for not coming home.

"..."

Hearing the exchange, Melody lowered the balloon in her hands and looked up at Julian.

She had wanted to tell him that since it was the weekend, he should come home early and play with her. But remembering that she hadn't forgiven him yet, she opened her mouth, let the words roll around on her tongue a few times, and ultimately swallowed them, looking back down to continue blowing up her balloon.

"..."

The mother and daughter's nearly identical, indifferent reactions suddenly made Julian feel incredibly uneasy.

An indescribable sense of alienation washed over him, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.

It wasn't until he was standing outside Vivian's apartment door that it finally hit him: the unease stemmed entirely from Elara and Melody's chilling indifference.

In the past, whenever he had to leave for a sudden work emergency, Melody would cling to him, whining affectionately until she had absolutely no choice but to let go. Then she and Elara would walk him to the door together. Even when his car was far down the street, he could still see them waving goodbye in the rearview mirror.

But today, not only did they not walk him out, but Elara's parting words were entirely devoid of emotion.

They were treating him like an acquaintance they barely knew, not a husband or a father.

Julian's hand froze right over the doorbell.

He just hadn't expected Melody to react so strongly, forcing him to stay and deal with the fallout.

But now, it was past nine, pushing ten o'clock...

"I'm sorry."

Julian kissed Vivian affectionately and scooped her up to carry her to the dining room. "I'll make breakfast right now."

"Okay!"

Vivian agreed out loud, sweetly wrapping her arms around him, whining affectionately and refusing to let go.

Julian chuckled helplessly. "Vivian, let me go make breakfast."

Vivian still didn't let go, asking instead, "Did something happen at home?"

"No."

Julian didn't want her to worry, so he lied. "Melody was just being unreasonable and threw a sudden tantrum. I had no choice but to stay and keep her company."