His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 216: Breaking Through

"I'm fine where I am," Julian said, picking up his fork again like the conversation didn't carry much weight for him.

"That's not something you say after one night," Iris replied, her tone steady but firmer now. "Sleeping on the floor long-term isn't good for you."

Julian looked up, something faint and unreadable passing through his expression before it softened into a half-smile. "You worried about me?"

"I'm serious."

"So am I." He set the fork down this time, his attention fully on her. "Then come back with me. Move back. Our place is still there."

Iris's fingers curled tightly at her side. "We're divorced."

"I've already told you," Julian said, his voice steady, unwavering. "I don't recognize that." His gaze held hers without breaking. "You're still my wife."

The words landed harder than she expected.

She felt it in her chest, sharp and immediate, forcing her to look away.

Julian leaned back slightly, his voice lowering, losing its edge. "Iris, I'm not asking for anything more than this. I don't need you to love me. Just let me stay somewhere in your life. Even if it's from a distance. I can wait."

Her vision blurred before she realized what was happening.

She stood abruptly, turning toward the door, needing space, needing air.

Julian moved faster.

He crossed the distance in seconds and caught her by the arms, stopping her before she could leave.

"Iris—"

That was all it took.

Everything she had been holding back cracked at once.

Her head dropped, and the tears came without warning, fast and uncontrollable, her shoulders shaking as the sound finally broke free.

She wasn't holding back anymore.

Not even a little.

Julian froze for a split second, then pulled her into his arms, instinct taking over. "Hey—hey, what's wrong? Talk to me. Don't cry like that."

She tried to speak, but the words came out broken, tangled in sobs.

"Why..." she managed, her voice shaking. "Why didn't you say any of this before? Why now? Why after everything's over?"

Julian's arms tightened around her, his face pressed against her shoulder as his own voice dropped lower. "I'm sorry," he said, the words strained. "Those two years... they weren't easy for me either. That misunderstanding messed everything up. I didn't know how to face you. I couldn't get past it."

She hit his shoulder weakly, frustration spilling out through tears. "You're such an idiot... what am I supposed to do with that?"

"I know," he said quietly, not moving, not stopping her. "I know I messed up. I hurt you. If you want to take it out on me, go ahead."

"I don't even want this anymore," she cried, her voice breaking apart. "So why are you doing this now? Why come back?"

"Give me one chance," he said, his voice rough now. "Just one. Let me fix it. I won't hurt you again."

"It's too late."

"It's not," he said immediately. "Not if you're willing."

"You're impossible..."

"Yeah," he said softly. "I am."

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands lifting to wipe the tears from her face, careful, patient. "Don't cry like that. I can't handle seeing you like this."

Her breathing slowly steadied, though the tears didn't fully stop.

Julian leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before brushing a few light, hesitant kisses against her lips, barely there, like he was afraid to push too far.

"Don't cry, Iris," he murmured.

Her strength gave out.

She leaned into him, eyes closing, letting herself fall against his chest.

He held her there, steady, unshaken.

Outside, sunlight spilled across the balcony, warm and quiet, filling the room with a calm that didn't quite match what they were feeling.

Later, after she'd washed her face and forced herself back into routine, Iris left for work.

Julian insisted on driving her.

By noon, after a long meeting at the institute, she stepped out into the hallway, already pulling out her phone.

Brandon's contact sat open on her screen.

She stared at it, her thoughts looping.

What am I supposed to say to him?

The institute wanted collaboration with Aurelium Group, and somehow, that responsibility had landed on her.

It wasn't like she had a choice.

Her supervisor had specifically assigned her to handle this at the conference, even emphasizing that she was the best fit for it.

Which was almost ironic, because she had zero experience negotiating business deals.

The only reason this had landed on her plate was because she knew Brandon, and they both went to Stanford.

Her phone lit up just then.

Zoe was calling.

Iris answered immediately. "Zoe?"

"Iris... can you come with me to see a doctor?" Zoe's voice shook, barely holding together. "I'm scared."

Iris's expression changed instantly. "What happened? Are you sick?"

"Not exactly... I just..." Zoe hesitated, then broke. "I don't even know how to say it..."

"What could be so bad you can't tell me?"

There was a long pause.

Then, in a small, panicked voice, Zoe said, "Something's wrong... down there..."

And then she started crying.

Iris didn't waste another second. She grabbed her things and headed out. "Zoe, don't panic. Tell me where you are. I'm on my way."

The entire drive over, her mind ran through worst-case scenarios, none of them good.

By the time she got there, it wasn't what she had feared.

But Zoe was still shaken, her voice unsteady as she tried to explain.

"I've been careful my whole life," she said, near tears. "I've never been with anyone, never done anything risky, I don't even go to public pools or anything like that. So why is this happening? Is it something serious? Is it... something bad?"