My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 21

21 An Empty Room, A Hesitant Vow

Damien’s POV

The soft click of the door closing behind me echoed in the silence of the hallway. Cora’s small form was finally tucked beneath her covers, her breathing steady with sleep. I rubbed my neck, fatigue settling into my shoulders after the long night at the

racetrack.

Mr. Finch appeared at the end of the corridor, his normally stoic face betraying mild surprise at seeing me carrying Cora.

“Good evening, Mr. Thorne. You’re back rather late.”

“Vivienne’s victory celebration ran longer than expected,” I replied, my voice low to avoid waking Cora. “Is Mrs. Thorne in her room?”

A barely perceptible pause. “Mrs. Thorne hasn’t returned home tonight, sir.”

I checked my watch. Nearly midnight. “At all?”

“No, sir. She left early this morning and hasn’t been back.”

Strange. Elara was usually home by now, often in bed reading or working on her laptop. While she’d been keeping unusual hours lately, she rarely stayed out this late without mentioning it.

“Did she say where she was going?” I asked, more out of curiosity than concern.

“She did not specify, sir.”

I nodded, dismissing the matter from my mind. Elara was an adult. She didn’t need to account for her whereabouts to me, just as I didn’t to her. Our marriage had long ago settled into a comfortable arrangement of mutual independence.

“Very well. I’ll be in my study if needed.”

I descended the stairs, pausing briefly at the large portrait hanging in the foyer. It was a family photo taken when Cora was three – Elara seated with Cora on her lap, me standing behind them. All of us smiling. I rarely noticed it anymore, having passed it

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21 An Empty Room, A Hesitant Vow

countless times over the years.

Tonight, something about Elara’s frozen smile caught my attention. It didn’t reach her

eyes.

I continued to my study, pushing the observation aside. My phone buzzed with a message from Vivienne.

“Still riding high on today’s win. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. V.”

I smiled at the screen before setting the phone down. Pouring myself a scotch, I turned my attention to the stack of reports waiting on my desk. Work was a welcome distraction from the peculiar hollow feeling in the too-quiet house.

The Vance family had always been a mystery to me. Elara’s father, Gerald, was allegedly ill, though I’d never witnessed any evidence of this supposed condition. His wife, Miranda, spoke of it often with dramatic sighs and concerned glances, but I suspected it was mostly theatrics. The whole family had a flair for the dramatic – except Elara.

Elara was different. Quieter. More reserved. In our early days, before our hasty marriage, I’d found her serenity refreshing. Now, seven years later, I rarely thought about it at all.

I worked until my eyes burned with fatigue, eventually making my way to bed. As I passed Elara’s room, I noticed the door ajar, the bed still perfectly made. The space was pristine, untouched, as if no one lived there at all.

Morning arrived with Cora’s excited voice piercing through my dream.

“Daddy! It’s horseback riding day at school!” She bounced on my bed, already dressed in her uniform, her hair still a mess.

I groaned, reaching for my phone. 6:45 AM. “Who helped you get dressed?”

“I did it myself!” Cora proudly twirled, showing off her mismatched socks and unevenly buttoned cardigan.

I sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes. “Where’s Mommy? She usually helps you in the mornings.”

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21 An Empty Room, A Hesitant Vow

Cora’s smile faltered. “I checked her room. She’s not there.”

I got up, leading Cora to the bathroom to fix her hair. “She didn’t come home last night. She must be staying somewhere else.”

“But why?” Cora asked, wincing as I struggled with a tangle in her curls.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “Adult reasons, I suppose.”

“Can I call her? I need to tell her about horseback riding day!”

I handed Cora my phone, watching as she expertly navigated to Elara’s contact and hit the video call button. The phone rang several times before Elara answered, slightly breathless.

“Hello?” Her face appeared on screen, flushed and dewy with sweat.

“Mommy!” Cora shouted. “Where are you?”

Elara’s expression softened. “Good morning, sweetheart. I just finished a morning jog”

I noticed unfamiliar surroundings behind her – not her usual jogging path through our neighborhood.

“Where are you staying?” I asked, mildly curious.

Elara’s eyes flickered to me briefly before returning to Cora. “Just somewhere quiet.”

“When are you coming home?” Cora demanded.

A slight pause. “I’m not sure, sweetheart. I need some time to myself right now.”

Cora’s lower lip trembled dangerously. “But Mommy, it’s horseback riding day at school! You always take me on horseback riding day!”

I frowned. “Cora, I can take you to school today.”

“No!” Cora’s voice rose with distress. “Mommy has to take me! She always does!”

I watched Elara’s face on the small screen. Something shifted in her expression – a fleeting shadow of reluctance.

“Elara, if you’re busy, I can handle it,” I offered.

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21 An Empty Room, A Hesitant Vow

Cora’s eyes welled with tears. “No! I want Mommy!” She took the phone from my hand. “Please, Mommy? Please come take me to school? I want to tell you about the horse I’m going to ride!”

I watched Elara’s resolve crumble in real-time. Her shoulders slumped slightly, her expression softening with resignation.

“Alright, Coco,” she finally said. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes to take you to school.”

“Promise?” Cora sniffled.

“Promise.”

After ending the call, Cora skipped happily downstairs for breakfast, her crisis averted. I headed to the shower, puzzled by Elara’s hesitation. She’d never refused Cora before, had always put our daughter’s needs first, often at the expense of her own.

Something had changed.

Thirty minutes later, I was reviewing emails in the kitchen when I heard the front door open. Mr. Finch’s formal greeting was followed by the sound of Elara’s soft voice.

She appeared in the kitchen doorway, dressed in a tailored navy suit that emphasized her slender figure. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, makeup subtle but perfect. She looked every bit the professional working woman rather than the mother who had just rushed over to take our daughter to school.

“Good morning,” she said, her tone pleasant but distant.

Before I could respond, Cora launched herself at Elara’s legs. “Mommy! You came!”

“Of course I did. I promised.” Elara smoothed Cora’s hair, her touch gentle. “Are you ready?”

Cora nodded enthusiastically. “I’m going to ride Thunder today! He’s the biggest horse!”

“That sounds exciting.” Elara checked her watch. “We should get going if we don’t want to be late.”

I stood, suddenly feeling like an intruder in their exchange. “I have an early meeting, so

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21 An Empty Room, A Hesitant Vow

I need to leave now as well. I’ll walk out with you.”

The three of us moved toward the door, an echo of the family we were supposed to be. As Mr. Finch handed Cora her backpack, I noticed Elara maintain a careful distance from me.

“Will you be home tonight?” I asked as we reached the driveway.

“No,” Elara replied simply. “I have plans.”

“I see.” I wasn’t sure why I felt compelled to ask.

Cora looked between us with confusion. “But Mommy, where are you sleeping?”

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