His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 139: The Truth Unfolds

Maybe Caleb held the key to the truth.

In the private room at Phoenix Pavilion...

A pot of coffee, a few small plates of breakfast...

Iris and Caleb sat across from each other.

Caleb had dressed up on purpose. His hair was caked in hairspray, every strand perfectly in place. The perfume on him hit her nose, a little too strong.

"I never thought you'd ask me out for breakfast." Caleb's eyes were warm, and he grinned widely.

Iris pressed her lips together, forcing a stiff smile, trying to look more at ease.

She sipped the rich coffee, lowered her eyes, and feigned being deep in thought. "The divorce trial between Julian and me will start soon."

"I know." Caleb's gaze was intense, his tone sincere. "I've been waiting for you to get divorced, Iris. Give me a chance, will you?"

Iris had figured he'd say that. She said nothing and just stared at him quietly, pretending to be hopeful.

Caleb seemed to see hope. He reached out and took Iris's hand. "Iris, I promise I'll make you the happiest woman in the world."

Iris pulled her hand back, managing a bitter smile. "Julian couldn't do that. Why do you think you can?"

"Because I love you," Caleb said firmly. "I don't have mental problems like he does. Your past doesn't bother me."

Iris thought over his words, seized the chance, and took a risk to pry. "You and Julian both know about me cheating, right?"

Caleb's eyes twitched. He stared at Iris in shock, then smiled faintly after a moment, like it was no big deal. "Yeah, we both know. But Julian would keep that to himself forever. He thinks if he pretends not to know, he can keep things going with you."

Iris's hands under the table clenched into fists. She was so angry she shook, her heart aching with every beat.

So it was all a misunderstanding, born from distrust.

Caleb picked up his cup and took a sip of coffee. He raised his eyebrows, a hint of resentment in his voice. "Julian has severe emotional purity issues. I bet he'll carry inner knots forever and never touch you. That's why I knew you'd leave him sooner or later."

Iris's face grew even darker. Her knuckles turned white, her nails digging into her palms. "I have one question. How did Julian find out?"

Caleb lifted his fork, picked up a piece of bread, and bit down. He chewed a few times. "I don't know how he got those photos. I found them by accident in his safe."

The air went silent for a few seconds.

"What photos?" Iris pressed, her voice showing a hint of uncontrollable urgency and unease.

"Bed photos of you and another guy." Caleb leaned forward, lowering his voice, and smirked. "Julian is kind of creepy. He's been keeping those photos of you with someone else this whole time."

Iris froze in shock, her eyes twitching. Her face turned as white as paper. "Did he never think... the photos were fake?"

Caleb scoffed. "I bet he hired at least three appraisal agencies to check them. He even tested the age of the photo paper fibers."

Iris knew in her heart she'd never done anything wrong.

The photos had to be fake.

But Julian wasn't a stupid man.

Something wasn't right.

Iris didn't jump to conclusions. She kept asking, "Do you know the guy in the photos?"

"Yeah, but your past doesn't matter to me," Caleb said, putting on a generous, sincere act. "This day and age, who doesn't have a little wildness in their private life?"

"Who is he?"

Caleb froze, staring at her in confusion. "You're asking me?"

Iris didn't back down, pressing again. "Who is he, really?"

Caleb looked shocked. "Did you cheat with so many guys you can't remember which one it was?"

To find the truth, Iris didn't care anymore. She admitted it without hesitation. "Yeah."

"I never would've guessed." Caleb stared at Iris's pure, beautiful face, a hint of unexpected disappointment in his eyes. "The guy in the photos is Arthur—your best friend's older brother."

For a second, the world felt like it was spinning.

Iris's body tensed up, a chill running down her back. Her chest felt like it had a rock on it, and she could barely breathe.

Her hands and feet went cold, her heart shaking with fear. "What else do you know?"

Caleb thought for a few seconds, a faint, dark look crossing his eyes. He spoke slowly. "Julian's safe also has photos of his first love—from junior high to college, at least a few dozen. He also keeps her hair ties, pencils, notes, books, and all kinds of weird little stuff."

A sharp pain pulled at Iris's heart. Her eyes got wet for no reason, and she listened in a daze.

"He'd loved his first love for twelve long years. He must have loved her a lot. Too bad she's already married."

Iris tried to stay calm, but tears kept filling her eyes.

Caleb said, "Guess who he's punishing by marrying you?"

Iris frowned, picked up her bag, and stood up. "I have to go. I'll pay for this."

"We haven't even eaten yet." Caleb stood up, anxious. "Where are you going?"

"I'm sorry. I only asked you out to get some information I need." Iris apologized, grabbed her bag, and turned to leave.