My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 17

17 A Daughter’s Joy, An Unexpected Errand

The playground buzzed with activity as children rushed around during recess. Cora Thorne sat with her friends at a picnic table, her tablet propped up in front of her.

“Look what my dad got me!” Cora gushed, showing off the sleek device to her envious classmates.

Her phone rang, displaying her mother’s name and photo. Cora glanced at it, then back to her tablet where Vivienne’s smiling face appeared on video chat.

“Is that your mom calling?” Vivienne asked, her perfectly glossed lips curving into a smile.

Cora nodded, letting the call ring. “She always calls at lunch. I’ll talk to her later.”

“Tell me more about your science project, sweetie,” Vivienne prompted, leaning forward in what looked like an expensive restaurant.

The phone stopped ringing. A text message appeared instead.

“Dad says I’m going to win first place,” Cora announced proudly to her friends, ignoring the notification. “Aunt Vivi is helping me design it.”

“Your volcano is going to blow everyone else’s away,” Vivienne promised with a wink.

“We’ll work on it this weekend.”

“With the real chemicals you used in college?” Cora asked excitedly.

“Only the safe ones,” Vivienne laughed. “Your father would kill me otherwise.”

Damien’s deep voice came from off–screen. “What are you two plotting now?”

His handsome face appeared beside Vivienne’s as he leaned into frame. “Science fair domination,” he said with a rare smile. “Nothing less for a Thorne.”

Cora beamed at the praise.

Elara sighed as her call went unanswered. She typed a quick message: “Hope you’re

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17 A Daughter’s Joy, An Unexpected Errand

having a good lunch, sweetheart. Call me when you can. Love you.”

Almost immediately, a voice message came back: “Hi Mom, I’m talking to Dad and Aunt Vivi. They’re taking me to the science museum on Saturday for my project. Gotta go!”

The excitement in her daughter’s voice was unmistakable. Elara set her phone down on her desk and turned her attention back to the contract drafts before her.

Ms. Ashton knocked lightly on her open door. “Everything alright?”

“Coco’s having lunch with Damien and Vivienne,” Elara replied, unable to keep the resignation from her voice. “Via video call, anyway.”

The older woman gave her a sympathetic look. “That child doesn’t know what she’s missing, choosing anyone over you.”

“She’s seven,” Elara said with a sad smile. “Fancy restaurants and exciting promises win over everyday motherhood.”

“Still hurts though, doesn’t it?” Ms. Ashton observed.

Elara didn’t answer. She didn’t need to.

Hours later, as Elara was organizing final documents for the day, her phone rang with an unfamiliar tone. The screen displayed “Victoria Sterling” – her mother–in–law.

She answered cautiously. “Hello, Victoria.”

—

“Elara.” The older woman’s voice was crisp, demanding immediate attention. “I need

you to run an errand for me.”

Not a request–a command. Elara checked her watch. “I was just about to leave the

office-”

“This is important,” Victoria cut her off. “Ethan is at the Highpoint Speedway. I need you to go there and bring him back immediately.”

Elara blinked in surprise. “Ethan? Why would he be at a racetrack?”

“Because,” Victoria hissed, “my youngest son thinks he can moonlight as some daredevil racer without my knowledge. His assistant just called to reschedule his appointments for tomorrow, claiming he’s ‘under the weather.‘ Yet my sources tell me

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17 A Daughter’s Joy, An Unexpected Errand

he’s registered for tonight’s amateur race.”

Elara hesitated. “Couldn’t you send someone from your staff?”

“Everyone recognizable is tied up with the Mercer merger,” Victoria snapped. “You’re unobtrusive enough. Find him and remind him of his responsibilities.”

Before Elara could respond, Victoria continued, “The event starts at six. Don’t fail me, Elara.”

The call ended abruptly. Elara stared at her phone in disbelief.

Ms. Ashton appeared in the doorway again. “Was that Victoria Sterling I overheard?”

“Yes,” Elara said, gathering her things with resignation. “Apparently I’m being sent to fetch Ethan from a racetrack.”

“That woman,” Ms. Ashton shook her head disapprovingly. “Still treating you like staff even though you’re family.”

“Not for much longer,” Elara reminded her, thinking of the divorce papers still awaiting Damien’s signature.

The drive to Highpoint Speedway took almost an hour, the evening traffic moving at an excruciatingly slow pace. By the time Elara arrived, the parking lot was packed with cars and motorcycles, forcing her to park quite a distance from the entrance.

The ticket booth operator looked at her skeptically when she asked about Ethan Thorne. “Competitors are in the restricted area, ma’am.”

“I’m family,” Elara explained, feeling the weight of the lie even as she said it.

Eventually, after showing her ID with the Thorne name, she was directed toward the garages behind the track. The contrast between her business attire and the casual atmosphere of the speedway drew curious glances as she navigated through crowds of racing enthusiasts.

The garage area buzzed with activity–mechanics making last–minute adjustments, drivers in racing suits checking their vehicles, spectators milling about with drinks and excited conversation. Elara felt completely out of place in her pencil skirt and blouse.

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17 A Daughter’s Joy, An Unexpected Errand

“Excuse me,” she asked a mechanic wiping his hands on a rag, “I’m looking for Ethan

Thorne?”

The man jerked his thumb toward a sleek black sports car. “Lucky number seven. Though he goes by ‘Phoenix‘ here.”

Elara approached the vehicle, where a man in a black and red racing suit stood with his back to her, helmet tucked under his arm as he spoke with another driver.

“Ethan?” she called hesitantly.

He turned, and Elara was struck by the family resemblance to Damien–the same strong jaw and piercing eyes, though Ethan’s features were slightly softer, his expression more animated.

Recognition flickered across his face, quickly followed by shock and then wariness.

“Elara?” he asked, glancing around as if expecting someone else. “What are you doing

here?”

“Your mother sent me,” Elara explained, feeling awkward under his suspicious gaze.

“She knows about the racing.”

Ethan’s expression darkened. “Of course she does. Nothing escapes the great Victoria Sterling.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “How did you find me?”

“It wasn’t easy,” Elara admitted. “But Victoria was very… insistent.”

A woman in racing gear approached, placing a familiar hand on Ethan’s arm. “Everything okay, Phoenix?” Her eyes assessed Elara with undisguised curiosity.

“Fine, Mara,” Ethan replied tersely. “Just family business.”

The woman nodded and retreated, but not before giving Elara another searching look.

“So you’re what–her messenger now?” Ethan asked, turning his attention back to Elara. “Come to drag me home by my ear?”

The hostility in his tone caught Elara by surprise. She’d met Ethan only a handful of times at family gatherings, where he’d always been polite but distant. This version of him–defiant and passionate–was entirely new.

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17 A Daughter’s Joy, An Unexpected Errand

“I’m just delivering the message,” Elara replied carefully. “She wants you to come

home.”

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