His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 208: Stay With Me

Something in Iris softened instantly, her voice gentler now, steady but warm. "It's me. You had a fever. I gave you something for it, and it's coming down now. Do you feel any better?"

Julian didn't answer right away. Instead, he lifted his hand slowly, his fingertips brushing her cheek as if he needed proof she was actually there.

The fog in his eyes cleared little by little, and a faint, tired smile formed. "So I'm not dreaming."

She caught his hand lightly and lowered it. "You're not. Owen couldn't reach you all day and got worried. He knew I had the passcode, so he asked me to check on you. I made you some oatmeal, you should eat a little before taking more medicine."

Julian kept looking at her, like he wasn't ready to look away yet, like doing so might make her disappear. Slowly, he pushed himself up, leaning back against the headboard.

Iris picked up the bowl, stirring it lightly before holding it out. "It's cooled down. Try some."

He lifted his hand, but it barely made it halfway.

Her chest tightened at the sight.

"I've got you," she said softly.

Julian let his hand drop, a faint smile touching his lips, though his eyes had turned slightly red.

Iris sat beside him, scooped up a spoonful, and blew on it out of habit before bringing it to his lips.

Julian didn't look at the spoon.

He looked at her the entire time.

"Too hot?" she asked quietly.

He swallowed, his throat moving slowly. "No. It's good."

She fed him another spoonful, steady and patient, focusing on the rhythm of it instead of the way his gaze lingered.

By the time the bowl was empty, the room had settled into a quiet stillness.

She set it aside, picked up the medicine and water, and held them out. "Take this too."

Julian didn't reach for them.

Instead, he leaned forward slightly and took the pills directly from her palm, his lips brushing against her skin in the process.

The contact sent a sharp, electric sensation through her, her fingers tightening slightly as her breath caught.

Julian glanced at the glass.

She snapped out of it and quickly lifted it to his lips.

He took a sip and swallowed.

Iris pulled her hand back slowly, her palm still warm, then stood. "You should lie down and rest. I'll just—"

Before she could finish, his hand closed around her wrist again, weaker than before but just as urgent. "Don't go."

She turned back, meeting his eyes, something heavy settling in her chest.

"I just need to take the bowl to the kitchen," she said, nodding toward it.

"Leave it," he said, his voice rough. "Just leave it there."

She hesitated.

She knew how particular he was, how he never tolerated clutter in his space, especially not something like a used bowl.

But right now, none of that seemed to matter.

"...Okay."

She sat back down beside him and adjusted the blanket. "Then lie down and get some rest."

Julian shook his head slightly. "I'm sweating. I want to clean up."

"You can't shower right now," she said immediately. "You're still weak from the fever."

He closed his eyes, his voice quieter now. "I feel awful."

Iris hesitated, a faint flush creeping in before she spoke. "Then... I can help you wipe down."

Julian opened his eyes and nodded without hesitation.

She stood and went to the bathroom, returning with a bowl of warm water and a towel, setting it beside the bed.

Julian sat up slowly, starting to take off his shirt, but his movements were sluggish.

Iris moved closer, climbing onto the bed on one knee as she reached out to help him, carefully pulling the damp fabric away and setting it aside.

She wrung out the towel, then paused for just a second when her eyes landed on his bare chest, heat rising to her face before she quickly looked down.

She started at his neck, wiping slowly, carefully, trying to stay focused.

Julian closed his eyes, his breathing deepening slightly, his throat shifting as he swallowed.

Every accidental brush of her fingers against his skin made his body tense, subtle but noticeable.

She rinsed the towel, moved behind him, wiping his back, then back to his chest again, steady, methodical.

Julian's hands curled slightly at his sides, his breathing growing heavier as he opened his eyes and looked at her, his gaze settling on the flush in her cheeks.

She could feel it.

Her heart was racing, her composure slipping, warmth spreading up to her ears.

"Iris," he said quietly, voice low, "you're blushing."

Her hand stilled for a fraction of a second before she pulled back, climbing off the bed and crouching by the basin to rinse the towel again. "It's warm in here," she said quickly. "That's all."

Julian watched her for a moment before speaking again, his tone calm, almost too calm. "I should change the rest too. Can you help me with that?"

She froze.

For a moment, she didn't move, towel still in her hands, before slowly turning back to look at him.

His expression was steady, sincere, without a hint of teasing.

Is he serious...? Or is he trying to push me?

"If you don't want to, it's fine," Julian added, his voice rougher now as he reached out slightly. "I can handle it. Just... grab me something to change into."