Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 85

Julian was entirely speechless, unable to find a single flaw in his daughter's logic. "Alright, I understand."

Melody gave a firm, grown-up nod, hopped off the stool, and grabbed Elara's hand. "Mom, let's go downstairs and eat breakfast."

"Okay."

Melody hadn't requested anything specific the night before, so today's breakfast was Brisket Noodle Soup prepared by the housekeeper, topped with a soft-boiled egg for each of them.

After breakfast, the housekeepers began cleaning while Melody ran off to inspect the props for her upcoming birthday party.

Elara followed her.

"Elara."

Julian trailed behind and called out to her.

Elara didn't stop walking; she merely glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

"How is Melody doing these past few days?" Julian asked. "Is she okay to go out and play?"

Elara looked at him with immediate suspicion. "Where are you planning to take her?"

"Just around..."

Julian kept his face perfectly neutral. "You know I've been upsetting her a lot lately. I thought I'd take her out when I have some free time to bond and improve our relationship."

Didn't he say the company was in crisis and he was swamped with work?

How did he suddenly have time to take time off and play with his daughter?

Elara's gaze hardened with vigilance. In a flash, her mind conjured up several news stories of estranged fathers abducting and hiding their children.

"We'll talk about it when you actually have free time."

Elara brushed him off. "Your company is so busy right now. Even if you took the day off, you'd just be distracted. Who knows if you'd get called back into the office halfway through."

"Don't worry, I'll handle it..."

His phone ringing cut him off.

Elara answered her own phone. "Jocelyn, are you on the train?"

Julian realized his slip-up the moment the words left his mouth, but it was too late to take them back. He braced himself and asked, "What time does the train arrive? Why didn't you mention this earlier?"

"You haven't been home lately. I never had the chance to tell you."

"..."

"Oh, right."

Remembering something, Elara asked him, "What about your family... are your parents coming?"

Julian replied, "Richard's health hasn't been great, so he probably won't make it. As for Meredith..."

He had actually mentioned it to his mother. Her response at the time had been dismissive—neither a refusal nor a promise, just a vague 'we'll see when the time comes.'

In Meredith's language, that meant: I'm busy, I'm not going.

Vivian, on the other hand, desperately wanted to attend...

At that thought, Julian realized he still hadn't brought up the idea of inviting Vivian to Elara.