My Coldhearted Husband'S Regret novel Chapter 71

71 A Child Saved, A Tense Repast

71 A Child Saved, A Tense Repast

Beck’s face drained of color as he took in the sight of his soaking wet niece in Elara’s arms. He rushed forward, his eyes wide with panic.

“Shanice! What happened?” He reached out, taking the trembling child from Elara’s

arms.

“She fell into the hot spring,” Elara explained, adjusting her robe tighter around herself. “I was there and pulled her out immediately.”

Beck clutched Shanice to his chest, his expression shifting from fear to relief to intense gratitude. “Thank you. God, thank you so much.”

Shanice buried her face against her uncle’s neck, her small body still shaking. “I’m sorry, Uncle Beck. I wanted to see the magic water.”

“I was on a call for just a minute,” Beck said, his voice unsteady. He looked at Elara with genuine remorse. “I thought she was watching TV in the room.”

Elara nodded, feeling a sudden awkwardness as she stood there in just her bathrobe. “Children can disappear in seconds. She’s fine, just scared.”

“I don’t know how to thank you.” Beck’s voice was thick with emotion. “If you hadn’t been there..”

“No need to think about that,” Elara cut him off gently. “You should get her into dry clothes before she catches cold.”

Beck nodded, seeming to notice Elara’s state of undress for the first time. He quickly averted his eyes. “Of course. I’ll take her back to our room now.”

Elara turned to leave, eager to retreat to her own room and change.

“Mrs. Thorne,” Beck called after her.

She stiffened at the name but/turned back.

“Thank you again,” he said softly. “I’m truly in your debt.”

She gave a small nod and hurried away, wanting nothing more than to distance herself from any connection to the Thorne world.

15

71 A Child Saved, A Tonse Repast

The next morning, Elara sat alone at a corner table in the resort’s buffet restaurant. She had deliberately chosen to eat carly, hoping to avoid most of her colleagues. After the incident last night, she needed some quiet time to gather her thoughts.

She was halfway through her coffee when she spotted Beck entering the dining area with Shanice in tow. The little girl was chattering animatedly, looking none the worse for her adventure the previous night.

Elara quickly lowered her gaze to her plate, hoping they wouldn’t notice her. The last thing she wanted was another interaction with someone from Damien’s circle.

Her hope was in vain.

“Mrs. Thor–I mean, Elara?” Beck’s voice came from beside her table.

She looked up, forcing a polite smile. “Good morning.”

Shanice peeked out from behind her uncle’s leg, suddenly shy.

“Would you mind if we joined you?” Beck asked, his expression tentative. “Shanice has something she’d like to say.”

Elara hesitated. Every fiber of her being wanted to refuse, to protect the new life she was building from any remnants of her past. But the hopeful look on the little girl’s face made it impossible to say no.

“Of course,” she replied, gesturing to the empty chairs.

“Thank you.

I’ll just get our food first,” Beck said. He turned to Shanice. “Stay with Elara for a minute, okay? I’ll be right back.”

Before Elara could protest, Beck was walking toward the buffet, leaving his niece standing awkwardly beside the table.

“Would you like to sit down?” Elara asked, pulling out a chair for the child.

Shanice climbed onto the chair, her legs swinging above the floor. She studied Elara with curious eyes.

“Uncle Beck says you saved me from drowning,” she said matter–of–factly.

“You slipped and fell in,” Elara explained gently. “I was just there to help.”

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71 A Child Saved, A Tense Repast

Shanice nodded solemnly. “He said I could have died.”

Elara winced at the blunt statement. “Well, hot springs can be dangerous. That’s why Elara winced at the blunt there are signs saying children need supervision.”

“I can read,” Shanice informed her proudly. “I just didn’t listen.”

Despite herself, Elara smiled. The girl reminded her of Cora at that age–curious and fearless to a fault.

Beck returned carrying two plates piled with breakfast foods. He set one in front of Shanice and took the seat across from Elara.

“Shanice,” he prompted. “Remember what we talked about?”

for

The little girl straightened in her seat and looked directly at Elara. “Thank you saving me from the magic water, Mrs. Elara. I promise I won’t go exploring by myself again.”

“You’re very welcome,” Elara replied, touched by the formal little speech. “And it’s just Elara.”

“Now eat your breakfast,” Beck told his niece, who immediately attacked her pancakes with enthusiasm.

An uncomfortable silence settled between the adults. Elara sipped her coffee, desperately wishing for an excuse to leave.

“Are you here alone?” Beck finally asked.

Elara shook her head. “I’m with colleagues. It’s a team–building weekend.”

Beck’s brow furrowed slightly. “From Thorne Industries?”

“No,” she replied, her tone cooling. “I don’t work there anymore.”

“Oh.” Beck looked genuinely surprised. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry if I—‘

“It’s fine,” Elara cut him off. “It’s been some time now.”

The tension at the table was palpable. Shanice, oblivious to the adult discomfort,

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