His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 113: Misunderstandings

But she'd finally made up her mind and didn't want to second-guess herself. She shot back, "Zoe, do you even get guys?"

"Not really."

"I don't know Julian that well either, but I know how guys work," Iris said calmly. "If a guy's body's fine and he's not messed up emotionally, there's no way he'd go two whole years without touching his wife."

Zoe was lost for words.

Iris kept going. "Whether he's messed up physically or emotionally, it doesn't matter anymore. Either way, he's not the one I want to spend the rest of my life with."

"You don't love him anymore?"

Iris went quiet. When she heard that question, her heart still hurt a little.

She'd loved him for two years. She couldn't just stop loving someone overnight, no matter how hard she tried.

She phrased her answer differently. "Maybe I'll think about him every now and then later. I may feel bad and feel sad. But I really don't want to drain myself anymore."

"You two were doing so good lately. You were so happy. Did he misunderstand you and Arthur? Is that why he gave you the cold shoulder?"

Iris was shocked. "Misunderstand me and Arthur?"

"Yeah. It was the night we picked up the monkeys and drove back from out of town. Must have been past midnight, right? Arthur dropped you off at the gate. I saw Julian's car following you then..."

Iris tensed up. "What happened next?"

Zoe swallowed hard and sighed. "Arthur saw Julian's car too. He hopped out and gave you a box of medicine. Julian definitely saw you two together."

Iris remembered. That's why he'd acted so weird that day. When she touched his hand, he pulled it away and snapped, "Don't touch me."

"He never said a thing about it that night." Iris felt wronged. Julian hadn't mentioned it at all. He was so good at faking it, so good at holding back how he felt.

"Arthur said he's gay. He thought he was helping you."

Iris laughed bitterly. "Maybe. But it doesn't matter anymore."

"Are you divorcing Julian because of that misunderstanding Arthur brought on?"

"No. This misunderstanding could be fixed with a few words, but he didn't even bring it up. He clearly doesn't care about me."

"Then why?"

"No feelings. We don't get along. Having a husband is like being single. I'm just tired of him ignoring me. My heart's gone cold. It's not worth it anymore."

Zoe got upset. "This isn't like you, Iris! We've been best friends for eight years. Don't I get to know the truth?"

Iris thought hard.

Zoe's voice turned serious. "Iris, you've told me all your secrets. What's the big deal? Why can't you tell me?"

"It's about the virus-carrying monkeys." Iris sighed helplessly. "I think Frederick has them."

Zoe was shocked. The line went silent.

"But I have no proof. I have to agree to his demands first. Whether he gives them back depends on his conscience."

Zoe stamped her foot in anger, yelling through gritted teeth, "That old bastard! He's such a piece of junk. He already messed with us once, and he's doing it again? Stealing the virus-carrying monkeys and letting them go... does he want you dead? That lowlife! I've never met someone so disgusting. Divorce... I'm with you.

"That bastard doesn't deserve to be your father-in-law. What a messed-up family. They think they're all that because they have some money and a crummy company? Bullying you like this.

"Julian's no better. His dad did something this crazy, and he just acts like it's nothing. He married such a beautiful wife, but he's been cold to you for two years. He doesn't even act like a husband. The whole family's garbage."

Iris laughed bitterly. "Zoe, calm down. It's just a guess. I have no proof. And Julian doesn't even know I lost the monkeys."

"Proof? It's definitely that old man! Why didn't I think of that sooner?" Zoe was furious, changing her mind on the spot. "Iris, you deserve better. The Everhart family isn't good enough for you. Julian isn't good enough for you."

"You're not gonna try to talk me out of it anymore?"

"Nope. Whatever you decide, I'm right there with you."

Iris smiled softly, her eyes watering. She spoke quietly. "Thank you, Zoe."

Suddenly!

A loud "clatter" made Iris jump. She sat up straight, nervous, and stared at the door.

The sound came from the living room. It sounded like something had been knocked over.

"Zoe, I gotta go. Goodnight."

"Okay, goodnight."

Iris hung up, set down her phone, walked to the door, grabbed the doorknob, and listened closely.

Another loud "thud."

It was a heavy sound—so heavy that Iris quickly twisted the doorknob and stepped out.

The living room lights were on. When Iris walked out of her room, she saw Daniel standing in front of the sofa, hands on his hips, out of breath.

Daniel saw her too. He immediately dropped his hands, picked up the tissue box he'd accidentally knocked over, and nodded politely. "Iris, Julian's drunk. I brought him home."

Iris walked over, her eyes landing on the sofa.

It was the weekend. Julian was wearing a white T-shirt and black pants, looking casual and handsome. His tall, strong body was lying on the sofa, his skin flushed from the alcohol. The thin fabric couldn't hide his thick chest muscles.