Unmasked My CEO Ex-Husband’s Regret novel Chapter 98

"It's totally fine."

Her complexion paled, and her smile was heartbreakingly fragile, yet she still forced herself to comfort Julian. "Melody's party was always meant for close family. I was the one pushing to attend. It's my fault for putting you in such an awkward position."

"Please tell Meredith not to feel bad. I'm the one who should be apologizing..."

Julian silenced the rest of her words with another kiss.

"Don't say that."

The heat of his breath brushed against her lips as he spoke, sending a thrilling, seductive shiver straight to her core.

"You're not an outsider. You are my partner."

Julian kissed her again and again, the suffocating weight of his own guilt bearing down on him. "I'm the one who failed to handle this properly. You don't ever need to apologize."

Fully placated, Vivian wrapped her arms around his neck, eagerly deepening the kiss.

"Don't beat yourself up over it."

When they finally parted, she rested her head against his shoulder, murmuring softly. "If you keep acting like this, I'll be too scared to ever ask you for anything."

Without missing a beat, Julian promised, "You can ask me for whatever you want."

"...Besides,"

Vivian continued at a slow, deliberate pace. "My knee is still healing. With so many kids running around, it really wouldn't be convenient anyway. It's probably best I rest at home."

Julian didn't say a word, opting to pull her tightly against his chest.

"Didn't Meredith say we'll have plenty of opportunities in the future? We can take Melody out on our own. Just the three of us, with no one around to bother us. Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Vivian added sweetly.

Julian paused for a fraction of a second before ducking his head to steal another kiss. "Yeah."

She was right. Instead of mingling at some crowded, meaningless birthday party, spending time just the three of them would be much better for building their bond as a family.

Vivian patted his hand, urging him playfully. "Alright, let's eat before the soup gets cold."

Julian was rendered speechless.

Meredith definitely didn't like her and Melody visiting the manor, but didn't Elara hate going just as much?

"So what made you suddenly decide to drop by?"

Julian refused to get bogged down in petty arguments. "If you just wanted to invite Maddox, couldn't you have done that over the phone?"

Elara locked her phone and sat up straight to face him. "Since Meredith already called you, you should know exactly why. Why go out of your way to interrogate me?"

"Besides, you look incredibly pissed off. Care to explain why?"

Without giving him a millisecond to formulate a response, Elara fired off her questions like rapid artillery.

"It's our daughter's birthday. By all accounts, you should have been the one to invite your family. Are you mad because I stepped up and did the job you neglected?"

"Or is it because the 'colleague' you wanted to invite was Vivian, and since I politely shut Meredith down from bringing her, you're throwing a tantrum?"