His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 143: Captivity and Softness

Julian was big and strong. Iris was no match for him. She couldn't get out of his hold, no matter how hard she tried.

She'd never seen Julian this pushy and controlling. His creepy obsession scared her and made her skin crawl.

"What do you want from me?" Iris's voice shook, tears sitting in her eyes.

Julian pulled off his tie, quick and clean. He wrapped it around her wrists a few times and tied it tight.

Iris didn't dare fight back. She stared at Julian, scared, then glanced out the window to try to get help.

But there was nothing out there but cars zooming by. No one to help her.

Julian didn't say a word. He frowned, finished tying her up, and started the car again.

"This is against the law." Iris's eyes were blurry with tears, her voice soft and shaking.

He felt more and more like a stranger.

Was this what he meant by hiding his real self for two years? Not wanting to pretend anymore?

He really wasn't the calm, gentle guy she'd liked.

Turns out, he'd been faking it all along. He was hiding his real self from her.

Julian stayed quiet, keeping his eyes on the road.

Iris couldn't break the tie on her wrists. She couldn't open the door either. She had no choice but to let fate take her wherever it wanted.

The car pulled into the neighborhood's underground parking lot.

Julian turned off the car, got out, walked to the passenger side, and picked Iris up.

They took the elevator and didn't see any neighbors. Iris had no one to call for help. The despair in her heart got worse.

He carried her inside forcefully and set her down on the big bed in his room.

Iris's heart raced. She stared quietly at the man in front of her.

He looked calm. He took off his suit jacket, unfastened his watch, and set it on the counter. He unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt slowly.

He walked out of the room, changed into a pair of slippers, and came back in, holding hers in his hand.

He knelt down on one knee in front of her and took her ankle.

Iris jumped back, scared. Her whole body tensed up, like a bow pulled tight.

He moved gently. He took off her white sneakers and socks, then put her feet into the comfortable slippers.

They didn't say a word. The air felt thick and heavy.

Julian took her shoes and socks out of the room. When he came back, he had a few disinfecting wipes in his hand.

Iris swallowed hard, watching him carefully.

Her heart raced. She kept thinking about that TV show, "Don't Talk to Strangers." It made her shiver.

Julian knelt down again, lifted her feet, and wiped them gently with the wipes.

The cold wipes mixed with the warmth of his hands confused Iris. She didn't know how to feel—treated so gently, but held captive at the same time.

Julian cleaned her feet, threw the wipes away, and looked up at her. His eyes were soft. "What do you want for lunch? I'll make it."

Iris found her courage, held out her wrists, and said, "Untie me."

"No. You'll run."

"How long are you going to keep me tied up?"

"Until the visa comes and we get on the plane."

Iris sighed, frustrated. She held back her anger and spoke calmly. "The airport's packed. Are you going to drug me, tie me up, and drag me onto a plane?"

"Chartered flight. We leave tonight."

Iris froze. She hesitated for a second, then asked, "Are you gonna tie me up every day in Nordis Basin? Keep me locked in the house forever?"

Julian's eyes got dark. He stared at her, not saying a word.

"Can you promise I'll never get away?" Iris's voice was stubborn. She hated being controlled like this.

Julian sat down next to her, leaned forward, propped his elbows on his knees, and covered his face with his hands. He took a deep breath.

A cold, sad aura surrounded him. He looked so helpless and heartbroken, like the whole world had turned its back on him.

After a long while, Julian put his hands down, stood up, and turned his back to Iris. His voice was hoarse but gentle. "I'll make your favorite waffles."

"Julian." Iris's voice was angry and helpless. "Please stop this."

Julian acted like he didn't hear her. He walked straight out of the room and closed the door softly.

Iris took a deep breath, lifted her hands, and gently bit the knot of the tie around her wrists.

Julian hadn't tied it tight. The tie came loose fast.

Iris searched his room, hoping to find a laptop or a spare phone.

She opened the drawers, but there was no spare phone. Instead, she found a hair tie in the cabinet.

She froze. Her heart felt a strange flutter.

How did this hair tie get here?

It was the one she'd lost.

She remembered looking for it all over the living room back then. Julian knew she'd lost it, but he never said a word about it.

Iris was confused. She put the hair tie back in the drawer, walked out of the room, and headed straight for the front door.

It was locked tight. She couldn't turn the handle.

She heard Julian bustling around in the kitchen.

Iris walked to the kitchen, stood at the door, and stared at Julian's broad back. He was preparing waffle batter, his movements smooth and focused.

The front door key had to be on him.

To get the key, she had to get close to him.

Julian finished preparing waffle batter, washed his hands, and grabbed a paper towel to dry them.

That's when Iris took big steps toward him. She worked up her courage and hugged his waist from behind.