His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 155: Unwanted Guests

Iris set the bouquet down on the coffee table and glanced around. "Do you have a pair of scissors?"

Julian walked over with scissors in one hand and a clear glass vase in the other, setting both within her reach. "What are you in the mood for lunch? I can make something."

She shook her head, already focused on trimming the lily stems with careful precision. "I'm good, thanks."

Seeing she wasn't interested in continuing the conversation, Julian didn't push. He grabbed a pack of wipes and stepped out onto the balcony, crouching beside a small decorative citrus tree. He wiped down the tray beneath it, watered the soil, then hung a few string lights and small ornaments across its branches, giving it a subtle holiday feel.

Inside, Iris arranged the flowers while Julian worked on the tree. The quiet between them settled into something unexpectedly warm, softening the once sterile apartment. With the flowers, the lights, and the small touches of color, the place no longer felt empty. It felt lived in.

Julian's phone rang, breaking the calm.

He answered, listening for a moment before glancing toward Iris. After a brief pause, he said, "Yeah, I'm home. Come up."

He ended the call.

Iris immediately set the scissors down and stood. "If you've got people coming over, I should head out."

"Mason and Daniel," Julian said casually, carrying the small tree back inside and placing it in the corner of the living room. "You know them." He glanced at the half-finished arrangement. "You're not done yet. Why stop now?"

A flicker of fatigue crossed Iris's face. She had no desire to sit through an awkward meal with his friends. Once she made up her mind, she didn't go back on it.

"You can finish it yourself." She turned and walked toward the door.

Her fingers had just brushed the handle when a firm grip caught her wrist and pulled her back. Before she could react, her back met the wall, and Julian stepped in close, bracing one hand beside her, effectively trapping her in place.

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze steady and intent, voice softened with a teasing edge. "You really can't stay a little longer? What, you think I'm going to do something to you?"

The faint scent of his cologne wrapped around her, clean and subtle, throwing her off balance. He was too close, close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath, hear the low rasp in his voice, and it made her pulse quicken in spite of herself.

"I... you have guests coming," she said, her voice unsteady. "It's not really appropriate for me to be here."

"I only asked them over because I thought you might feel uncomfortable being alone with me," he replied, his eyes never leaving hers. "If you don't want to see them, I can call and tell them not to come."

"No, don't," she said quickly, almost too quickly.

Right then, the doorbell rang.

Iris pushed him away and walked back into the living room, sitting down on the couch and picking up the scissors again as if nothing had happened, though the stiffness in her shoulders gave her away.

Julian watched her for a moment before finally heading to the door and opening it.

Mason stepped in first, holding up two grocery bags like he'd just scored big. "Got everything we need, prime beef, tripe, meatballs. We're setting up a tabletop grill tonight."

Julian stepped aside to let him in.

Daniel followed, lifting his own bags with a grin. "Clams, grouper, king crab. We went all out."

Julian was about to close the door when a familiar voice chimed in behind them. "You're just going to leave me out here?"

His expression darkened slightly as Lily walked in, carrying bags filled with mushrooms and fresh vegetables.

The three of them changed into house slippers and walked inside, chatting casually, until they all stopped at once.

Their eyes landed on Iris.

For a moment, no one moved.

Iris stood up slowly, clearly uncomfortable under their stunned gazes. She had no intention of staying, but now she was stuck in the middle of this.

"Hi," she said quietly.

It took Mason and Daniel a second to recover before they both blurted out, almost in sync, "Hey... uh, Iris."

Lily's smile tightened, something sharp flashing through her eyes before she smoothed it over. "Hi," she echoed, her tone sweet but forced.

Julian closed the door behind them and walked in.

Iris picked up on the awkwardness right away, her tone calm and matter-of-fact. "You don't have to be so careful. Julian and I have been divorced for six months now."

Mason scratched the back of his neck, letting out an awkward chuckle, while Daniel's expression stiffened into something that barely passed for a smile.

Lily didn't linger. She walked straight into the open kitchen and said, "Bring everything in so we can rinse and prep."

As she passed Iris, she paused just long enough to add, "Guess I should be calling you Miss Whitlow now. Are you staying for lunch?"

The scissors in Iris's hand snapped cleanly through a rose stem. She didn't look up. "I'll leave once I'm done."

She meant it.

Lily smiled faintly and continued into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Julian set bowls and utensils on the dining table while the others carried out plates of ingredients. Iris finished arranging the flowers and carefully cleaned up the table, brushing away stray leaves and stems.

"Iris, come eat," Julian called.

She glanced at the now spotless coffee table before looking over at him. "No, thank you. I've finished the arrangement and cleaned everything up. I'm going to head out."

She picked up her bag, but before she could take a step, Julian walked over, took it from her hand, and turned toward the bedroom.

"Julian, what are you doing?" she asked, startled, hurrying after him.

He pushed the bedroom door open, tossed her bag onto the bed, and shut the door behind them.

Iris looked up at him, frustration clear in her eyes, her hands clenched at her sides.

"Julian, this is too much. Do you realize that?"