Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 81

"Is Melody okay?" Vivian asked, her concern deepening.

"Are you sure it's alright that you aren't staying to look after her?"

Julian chuckled and playfully tapped her nose. "Elara is taking care of Melody. If I didn't come over, what would you do today?"

"The housekeeper prepared the ingredients. I can take care of myself."

"I couldn't bear to leave you alone."

Julian set her down on a chair and rolled up his sleeves. "Just wait a bit. Breakfast will be ready soon."

The lingering traces of jealousy and gloom in Vivian's heart evaporated instantly. She rested her chin on her hands at the table, patiently waiting for Julian to serve her.

The fact that Julian was willing to leave the daughter he cared about most and come straight to her proved that she held a higher place in his heart than his own child.

She just needed to be a little more patient. Soon enough, Julian would no longer struggle to choose between her and his daughter.

***

With only three days left until the birthday party, Elara told everyone to take their time preparing, but after a full day of organizing, she was still utterly exhausted.

Even the endlessly energetic Melody couldn't hold out by nightfall. The moment she finished dinner, her eyelids began to droop, and she was practically falling asleep at the table.

"Let's get you bathed first."

Elara held Melody's hand and took the elevator upstairs. Afraid the little girl might doze off in the tub, she washed her herself.

But once her hair was washed, Melody suddenly perked up.

"Mom."

Thinking of Julian, Melody asked casually, "Is Dad coming home tonight?"

Elara paused for a second before answering honestly, "I don't know."

Melody thought about it and agreed. "That's true. Dad didn't say if he was coming back today or not."

Because she was still angry, Melody hadn't texted Julian all day, and naturally, Julian hadn't reached out to them either.

"Since Dad didn't say whether he was coming back, even if he doesn't come home tonight, it doesn't count as breaking a promise, right?" Melody asked.

"I really like Dad, but he always breaks his promises, and I'm really mad."

"Can I still keep liking a dad who doesn't care about me, a dad who doesn't like me that much?"

"..."

The moment Elara decided to stop covering for Julian, she knew she would eventually face this exact question.

She had mentally prepared herself, but hearing her daughter ask it with such lost, heartbreaking sincerity still sent a sharp ache through Elara's chest.

"Well..."

Elara wrapped her in a bath towel, dried Melody's hair, and carried her over to get dressed.

It wasn't until her hair was fully blow-dried and the two of them were sitting on the bed that Elara finally gave her a serious answer. "I can't make that choice for you. You have to decide for yourself."

Melody looked even more lost.

Why did she have to choose again? She only asked for help because she couldn't make the choice herself.