His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 206: Crossing Lines

It was the first time she had ever asked a man for his number.

Even she could feel the slight awkwardness in it.

Brandon smiled, clearly not bothered. He pulled out his phone and brought up his QR code. "Sure."

Iris stepped closer and scanned it, her movements steady even if she felt a faint tension underneath. The request went through almost instantly.

Brandon accepted it and studied her for a second, something clicking into place. "You look really familiar. Were you in the Department of Pharmacology at Stanford?"

Iris blinked, caught off guard.

"Do you know Zoe?" he added.

Recognition hit immediately.

"Oh," Iris said, nodding. "Yeah, I do."

Relief slipped in quietly. At least this wasn't someone from her past in a way that complicated things.

With that connection, the conversation felt easier.

"I was actually wondering if you might have time sometime..." she started, pushing herself to follow through.

She didn't get to finish.

A hand closed around her arm and pulled her back.

The sudden force made her stumble a step before she steadied herself. She turned sharply, already irritated, and saw exactly who she expected.

Julian.

Her expression darkened instantly.

That had been unnecessary.

Julian didn't look at her. His gaze was fixed on Brandon, cold and unyielding, the tension in his jaw impossible to miss.

Brandon picked up on it immediately. He smiled politely, stepping back. "Miss Whitlow, I'll let you get back to your conversation. I've got something else to take care of."

"Wait—" Iris started.

Julian's grip tightened.

Brandon gave a brief nod and walked away.

Iris turned back, her patience thinning. "Let go."

Julian finally looked at her, something dark flickering in his eyes, a faint, bitter edge to his smile. "Didn't expect this. You going out of your way to get a guy's number, even asking him out. That's new."

The jealousy in his voice wasn't even subtle.

She didn't want to argue. She didn't want to explain.

"Julian, I have things to do. Let go," she said evenly.

His expression hardened. "What, love at first sight? What do you even like about him?"

The words had barely settled before he turned slightly and coughed into his hand, the sound low but strained.

Iris frowned.

Something about it wasn't right.

She shifted her focus to his grip. Even through the fabric of her sleeve, she could feel it, his palm was too warm.

"Are you sick?" she asked, instinctively reaching toward his forehead.

Julian immediately released her and stepped back, avoiding her touch like it burned.

He slipped his hands into his pockets, forcing his voice steady. "Don't act like you care about everyone. Save it for the guy you're interested in."

Then he turned and walked away.

Iris stood there for a second, watching him go, unease settling in her chest.

Something wasn't right.

She moved after him.

Outside, a light spring rain had started, the air damp and cool, the wind cutting through just enough to make it uncomfortable.

She reached the entrance just in time to see a familiar car pull away.

Owen was driving.

Julian sat in the back.

He hated letting anyone else drive his car.

If he had handed over the wheel, it meant he wasn't just a little sick.

Iris stood there, her fingers tightening around her phone as the car disappeared into traffic, a heavy feeling settling in her chest.

Most executives usually just send someone in their place to stuff like this... so why did he come himself? And like that?

Julian... you really need to take care of yourself...

The next evening, as Iris stepped out of the institute, her phone rang.

Unknown number.

She answered as she walked. "Hello?"

"Miss Whitlow, this is Owen, Mr. Everhart's assistant."

Iris slowed slightly. "How did you get my number?"

"Mr. Everhart had it written in his office," Owen said quickly, his voice tight with concern. "Do you know the passcode to his place?"

Her chest tightened instantly. "What happened?"

"He's been sick since yesterday. He insisted on attending the summit and refused to see a doctor. Said he'd just take some meds and rest, but I've been calling him all day and he hasn't picked up once. It's been hours. I'm worried something's wrong."

Panic hit fast.

"I know the code," Iris said immediately. "Are you there?"

"I went back to the office to get your number. I'm heading there now. You can just tell me—"

"I'm closer. I'll go," she cut in, already moving.

"Okay."

She hung up and rushed toward the street, flagging down a cab.

"Rosehill Estate," she said, breathless.

Twenty minutes later, she was at his door, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might break through her ribs.

Her fingers trembled as she entered the code.

The lock clicked.

She pushed the door open and rushed inside without stopping, her footsteps echoing through the quiet apartment.

"Julian!" she called out, her voice tight with urgency. "Julian!"

No answer.

She ran straight to the bedroom and pushed the door open.

Julian lay on the bed, completely still beneath the covers.