Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 87

Julian knew Elara well enough to know she was fully capable of doing exactly that, and she absolutely would.

He was just shocked, bewildered, and completely utterly confused as to why Elara was suddenly acting so aggressively.

"What's wrong with you?"

Julian met her gaze, voicing his utter disbelief. "It's just a birthday celebration for Melody. Why are you so resistant to it?"

"If the answer is no, fine, but why are you getting so worked up?"

Elara let out a bitter, incredulous laugh at his righteous tone and blatant gaslighting.

"You honestly don't know why I'm acting like this?"

Elara fired back coldly. "Are your employees close to Melody? Why does this specific person absolutely have to come to her birthday party?"

Julian grew defensive. "The parents of the kindergarteners aren't close to Melody either, but you invited them, didn't you?"

"Those parents see Melody twice a day, at least ten times a week."

Elara stared him down. "That's more often than you've seen Melody lately. Who says they aren't close?"

Julian had no response.

Melody was still terrified of strangers. Aside from family, the only people invited to the birthday party were her classmates and their parents.

To prevent any sudden accidents that might scare her during the party, Elara had explained Melody's situation in advance. Everyone attending was familiar to Melody and entirely accepting of her "quirks."

Julian's employees technically knew who Melody was, but aside from Leo Hammond, none of them knew about Melody's specific condition, nor were they familiar with her.

Elara couldn't fathom a single legitimate reason why an employee had to be there.

"What exactly is your mindset here, insisting a stranger attend Melody's birthday party?" Elara pressed.

Julian brushed off the accusation. "She's not a stranger. She really likes Melody, and Melody has seen her before."

Julian's face was dark as thunder. He opened his mouth to argue, but Elara had already brushed past him, walking straight toward Melody.

Right at that moment, the phone in his pocket started ringing.

Julian pulled it out and saw Meredith calling.

"Meredith."

Julian answered the phone while walking outside. "It's early. What's wrong?"

"You're asking me what's wrong? I'm the one who should be asking you."

Meredith's displeased voice snapped back. "Vivian hurt her knee. It's the weekend. Why aren't you with her, taking care of her personally? Where did you go?"

Julian pushed open the side door to the sunroom, stepped outside, and closed it behind him before saying softly, "Melody's birthday is coming up. I'm staying home for the next few days."

Meredith paused, her tone softening slightly, though she was still dissatisfied with his priorities. "What does her birthday coming up have to do with you staying home right now?"