My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 24

24 An Icy Homecoming

24 An Icy Homecoming

Cora Thorne sat by the window, her small hands pressed against the glass as she watched the driveway with growing impatience. Her mother had promised to take her to school this morning, but the night had passed without Elara’s return.

“Is Mommy coming?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Damien Thorne glanced up from his tablet. “She’ll be here in the morning to take you to school.”

“But she’s not here yet,” Cora pouted, her lower lip trembling slightly.

“It’s still night, Coco. Time for bed.” Damien’s tone was gentle but firm as he lifted his daughter off the window seat. “Your mother has never broken a promise to you. She’ll be here.”

After tucking Cora in, Damien retreated to his study. Hours ticked by as he worked through a stack of contracts. He checked his watch-nearly midnight. Elara still hadn’t returned.

A frown crossed his face. This was unusual, even given recent developments. Perhaps there were issues with the Vance family? He considered calling but decided against it. Their interactions lately had been minimal at best.

When morning came, Damien was already dressed for work when he heard the front door open. From his position at the top of the stairs, he watched as Elara stepped into the foyer.

Elara Vance stood in the entrance hall of the Thorne residence, feeling oddly disoriented. Despite having lived here for seven years, the mansion no longer felt like home. Its grand marble floors and imposing artworks seemed to belong to another life -one she had left behind.

“Good morning, Mrs. Thorne,” Mr. Finch greeted her, taking her light coat.

She didn’t correct him about the name. There would be time enough for that

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24 An Icy Homecoming

adjustment later.

“Is Cora awake yet?” she asked, glancing at her watch. It was early, but she wanted minimal interaction with the household-especially Damien.

“Not yet, Mrs. Thorne. Would you like breakfast first? Mrs. Gable has prepared-”

“No thank you,” Elara interrupted politely. “I’ve already eaten.”

She hesitated at the foot of the grand staircase. “Actually, would you mind asking Mrs. Gable to wake Cora? I’ll wait here.”

Mr. Finch looked surprised but nodded. “Of course, Mrs. Thorne.”

As the housekeeper disappeared upstairs, Elara remained standing in the foyer, unwilling to make herself comfortable. This was just a brief stop to fulfill her promise to Cora-nothing more.

The sound of footsteps on the marble staircase made her look up. Damien descended, impeccable in his tailored suit. Their eyes met briefly before Elara offered only a curt nod in acknowledgment.

“Elara,” he said, his tone neutral.

“Damien,” she replied, equally detached.

An awkward silence fell between them, broken only when a high-pitched squeal echoed from the top of the stairs.

“Mom! You came!” Cora flew down the steps, nearly tripping in her excitement.

Elara’s face transformed as she knelt to embrace her daughter. “Of course I did. I promised, didn’t I?”

Cora pulled back, her face serious. “You didn’t come home last night.”

“I stayed at my new place,” Elara explained gently. “But I’m here now to take you to school, just like I said.”

“Are you staying for breakfast?” Cora tugged on her mother’s hand, pulling her toward the dining room without waiting for an answer.

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24 An Icy Homecoming

Elara allowed herself to be led, acutely aware of Damien following behind them. In the dining room, she sat beside Cora but made no move to serve herself from the spread on the table.

“Aren’t you hungry, Mom?” Cora asked, already reaching for a pastry.

“I already ate, sweetheart. But you enjoy your breakfast while I check if you have everything ready for school.”

As she helped Cora organize her backpack, Elara kept her attention solely on her daughter. She could feel Damien’s gaze on her from across the table but deliberately avoided making eye contact.

“Your science project is due today, right?” she asked Cora. “Did you finish all the labels?”.

“Daddy helped me last night,” Cora said proudly. “We stayed up late making it perfect.”

Elara’s smile remained fixed. “That’s wonderful. I’m sure it will be the best in class.”

The atmosphere in the room was strained despite her efforts to keep things light for Cora’s sake. Mrs. Gable moved silently around them, refilling coffee cups and offering more food.

“More coffee, Mrs. Thorne?” the housekeeper asked.

“No, thank you.” Elara’s response was polite but distant.

Damien lowered his newspaper slightly. “You seem in a hurry this morning”

It was the first direct comment he’d made to her, and Elara met his gaze briefly. “I have meetings at YodaVision after I drop Cora off.”

“YodaVision?” Cora perked up. “The robot company?”

“Artificial intelligence,” Elara corrected with a small smile. “Not exactly robots, though we do work with them sometimes.”

“Can I come see? Please?” Cora’s eyes widened with excitement.

“Not today, sweetie. But maybe another time.”

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24 An Icy Homecoming

Damien observed their exchange without comment, his expression unreadable. When Cora excused herself to fetch something from her room, he set down his newspaper completely.

“You didn’t come home last night,” he stated, echoing their daughter’s earlier observation.

Elara met his gaze steadily. “This isn’t my home anymore, Damien.”

His eyebrows rose fractionally at her bluntness. “I see.”

“I’ve established my own residence closer to YodaVision’s headquarters,” she continued, her voice level. “It’s more practical.”

“And you didn’t think to mention this arrangement?”

“I didn’t think I needed your approval.” Her tone remained calm, but there was a new firmness to it that hadn’t been there in their previous interactions.

Before Damien could respond, Cora bounded back into the room, clutching her science project. “Ready, Mom!”

Elara stood immediately. “Then let’s get going. We don’t want to be late.”

She helped Cora with her jacket, carefully avoiding physical proximity to Damien as he also rose from the table.

“Have a good day at school, Coco,” he said, bending to kiss their daughter’s forehead.

“Bye, Daddy!” Cora hugged him tightly before skipping toward the door.

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