His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 185: First Time

"You're the first."

Julian's voice softened as he brushed a loose strand of hair away from Iris's forehead, his fingers lingering just long enough to feel intentional, his gaze steady and almost disarming in its intensity.

Iris didn't pull away, but she didn't buy it either. She narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint, skeptical smile touching her lips as she studied him.

Julian noticed immediately. His hand drifted to her ear, his thumb lightly grazing her earlobe as if testing her reaction. "Why don't you believe me?"

"Because it doesn't make sense," Iris replied, her tone calm, almost analytical despite the intimacy of the moment. "You're good-looking, you're successful, you've got money and a career, and women are constantly around you. There's no shortage of temptation. And you're young, Julian. You really expect me to believe you've just... had perfect self-control this whole time?"

A quiet laugh slipped from him, low and unbothered, as if her reasoning amused him more than it challenged him. He pulled her into his arms and leaned back onto the bed, bringing her down with him, one arm wrapped securely around her.

"Let it go," he murmured, his voice dropping into something softer, more intimate. "Get some sleep."

Iris shifted slightly against him but didn't let it go. "So you're saying you've never had moments where you couldn't control it?"

Julian didn't answer. Instead, he closed his eyes, his breathing evening out as if he had already fallen asleep, clearly choosing silence over explanation.

Iris tilted her head, watching him for a moment, then leaned in just enough to check. "You asleep?"

No response.

His expression stayed relaxed, his breathing steady, convincing enough that most people would've dropped it right there.

She didn't.

A hint of mischief crossed her face as her hand slipped under his arm, her fingertips lightly brushing along his side.

Julian broke instantly.

A laugh escaped him before he could stop it as he turned and caught her wrist, pressing her hand gently into the pillow above his shoulder.

Iris laughed with him, the tension finally cracking. "So that's your weakness. You're ticklish."

Julian leaned in, his voice lower now, carrying a teasing edge. "You don't seem that tired. Want to go again?"

He dipped his head toward her, aiming for her lips.

Iris turned just in time, his kiss landing against her cheek instead as she let out a soft breath. "I'm serious," she said, her voice quieter but firm. "I'm exhausted. Not tonight."

He didn't push her.

Instead, his lips brushed her cheek again, slower this time, before moving to her ear, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Then what do you want to know?"

Iris hesitated for half a second, then gave in to her curiosity. "Before me... was it really never an issue?"

Julian shifted, settling back against the pillow and pulling her into his arms again, this time more loosely, like he was willing to talk but not make a big deal out of it.

"It was," he admitted after a moment. "But most of the time, I handled it at the gym. Training burns it off, clears your head. You get that post-workout high, it takes the edge off and keeps things manageable."

Iris let out a quiet breath, her body relaxing against him as the steady rhythm of his voice and warmth began to pull her under. "That's... impressive self-control."

She closed her eyes, letting herself drift.

Julian tightened his hold just slightly, pressing an absentminded kiss into her hair now and then, unhurried, almost instinctive.

The room gradually fell quiet, their breathing falling into sync as the night settled around them.

Just as Iris was on the edge of sleep, his voice slipped in again, low and close against her ear.

"Back in school," he murmured, "there were times I couldn't hold it back. I'd picture you... and take care of it myself."

Her eyes snapped open.

Her heartbeat surged, loud and uneven, like it had been yanked out of rhythm. A chill ran through her, raising goosebumps along her arms as the meaning of his words settled in all at once.

He knew me back then?

And I was... that for him?

Sleep was gone completely.

What replaced it was something sharper, restless, impossible to ignore.

For the first time, she found herself counting down the hours until New Year, curiosity pulling at her in a way she couldn't shake. She wanted to know what he meant, what he was hiding, and why it all seemed to trace back further than she had ever realized.

The yacht cruised steadily through the night, cutting across the dark water until morning light finally broke along the horizon.

When Iris woke, the skyline was already visible through the window, the city rising in the distance.

She got dressed, washed up, and stepped out onto the deck, the wind brushing lightly against her face as she looked toward the approaching shore.

A quiet heaviness settled in her chest.

For a brief, impossible moment, she wished she could stay out here, just the two of them, drifting without direction, without responsibilities, without everything waiting for her back in the city.

No expectations. No pressure. No family. No complications.

Just this.

But reality didn't leave room for that kind of escape.

Julian guided the yacht back into the marina with practiced ease, the motion smooth and controlled.

They docked, stepped off, and caught a cab back into the city.

The night before New Year's had the whole city buzzing. Storefronts were strung with lights, window displays packed with holiday décor, and people filled the streets with that end-of-year energy that made everything feel brighter, louder, and just a little more electric.

Iris sat quietly in the backseat, her gaze fixed on the passing streets, her mood noticeably subdued.

Julian reached for her hand, holding it tightly, his thumb brushing slowly over her knuckles as if grounding himself.

"I'm heading to my parents' place tonight," he said, his voice gentle but carrying an edge of urgency. "Dinner with my grandmother and my parents."

He paused, tightening his grip just slightly.

"You said you'd spend New Year's with me," he said, his tone easy but firm. "I'll come get you, just stay home and wait for me, okay?"

Iris nodded.

Julian turned toward her, studying her face, something uneasy flickering in his eyes. "Promise me you won't change your mind."

"I won't," she said quietly.

He didn't let go of her hand the rest of the ride.

When they arrived at Rosefield Court, Iris stepped out first, giving him a small wave before heading inside.

The complex was decorated for the holiday, lights strung along railings, wreaths hung neatly on doors, everything carrying that same festive energy she had just seen out on the streets.

She took the elevator up and walked down the hallway to her apartment.

The door was decorated too, seasonal decals and small touches that made it look like any other home preparing for the holiday.

Iris pressed her thumb against the fingerprint scanner, expecting the lock to click open, but after two short beeps, nothing happened. Frowning, she pulled open the keypad cover and punched in the passcode instead, only to realize it didn't work either.

A flicker of confusion crossed her face before she knocked.

"Mom?"

No answer.

She knocked again, louder this time. "Ethan?"

A moment later, the door opened.

Grace stood there, her expression dark, her eyes sharp enough to cut.