Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 84

Melody finished her round of the game and didn't start a new one, sitting up perfectly straight to make it easier for Elara to pin up her hair.

Julian watched and, anticipating Elara's needs, started handing her the hair clips.

Elara wasn't about to turn down free labor and took them without a word.

Melody noticed and glanced over at Julian, but she didn't react with the same resistance as yesterday, nor did she swat away the things he touched.

Julian breathed a sigh of relief and seized the opening. "Yesterday..."

He started a sentence, pausing to gauge Elara and Melody's reactions. When neither of them pushed back, he continued.

"Work piled up unexpectedly yesterday, and I had to stay late. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to report your every move to us."

Elara replied coolly, "You never made a promise, so it doesn't count as breaking your word."

"Besides, even if you apologize now, you're still going to come home late when you feel like it. It's meaningless."

"...I just didn't want you to misunderstand."

"Misunderstand what?"

Elara let out a mocking laugh. "You didn't bother explaining yourself when you stayed out all night a while ago."

Julian couldn't stand her relentless sarcasm. His face darkened as he prepared to snap back, but then he met Melody's curious, wide-eyed gaze. His expression froze, and he forced his irritation down.

"Melody."

Julian shifted tactics, dropping to one knee in front of his daughter and looking up at her. "Are you still mad at Dad?"

Seeing that he genuinely wanted to talk, Melody nodded and admitted it.

Julian asked patiently, "Can you tell Dad why you're angry?"

"Dad really wants to know so I can fix it. Can you give Dad another chance?"

Melody held his gaze for a moment, turned to look at Elara, and only spoke after receiving an encouraging nod from her mother. "I'm still mad about yesterday."

Remembering something, Melody asked Julian, "Did you see the message Mom wrote for me yesterday?"

Julian nodded. "I saw it."

"You only have nine points left now."

Melody counted on her fingers, seriously explaining the rules she had just created. "If you drop below six points, you'll be in danger. If all your points are gone, I'll never like you again."

"So, how do I get points back?"

"If you behave well, and I forgive you, you get points."

Julian wasn't entirely sure what his daughter's criteria were. "How exactly do I behave well?"

"Dad, that's a question you have to think about. You can't ask me."

Melody's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze turning increasingly critical.

"You're the adult. Why are you asking a little kid about everything and making a child decide for you?"