His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 220: Letting Go

She had spent her whole life relying on no one but herself, building everything from the ground up without expecting anyone to catch her if she fell.

But this time...

What if I let myself take that chance, just once?

Iris stood, walked over, and sat down beside him.

Julian looked up immediately, surprised by how close she was. He pulled out one earbud and set his phone aside, his hand instinctively reaching up to cradle the back of her head, his touch gentle. "What's wrong?"

Iris turned to him, but before she could even speak, her face flushed slightly. She hesitated, then asked softly, "Can you... hug me?"

Julian froze for a split second, clearly caught off guard, then pulled her into his arms without hesitation, holding her tight, his voice dropping as he spoke near her ear. "What happened? Did something upset you? Did someone give you trouble? Tell me."

Iris closed her eyes, her arms wrapping around his waist as she leaned fully into him, her body relaxing in a way she hadn't allowed in a long time. His scent was clean, faint, familiar in a way that made her feel safe.

He didn't smoke, didn't drink, and everything about him was sharp, controlled, almost perfect.

If there was anything she couldn't fault, it was that.

But his intensity... the way he handled things...

That still unsettled her.

The memory of him nearly drowning Caleb flashed through her mind, and she hesitated.

Julian shifted slightly, his breath brushing against her neck, his lips grazing just close enough to make her tense.

She pulled back slightly. "What are you doing?"

His voice dropped, rougher now. "Sorry. Couldn't help it."

Her heart skipped.

She pulled away from his arms and shifted, lying back across the couch with her head resting on his thigh instead.

Julian straightened slightly, clearly caught off guard again by how close she was being.

Iris looked up at him, their eyes meeting, her gaze clear, steady.

His hand moved instinctively, brushing through her hair, his voice quieter now. "You're acting different today."

"You don't like it?" she asked, starting to sit up.

He immediately stopped her, his hand firm on her shoulder. "I like it. Stay."

She smiled faintly.

For a moment, he just looked at her, like he couldn't quite look away.

Then, with a slight shift in tone, he asked softly, "So... is this because you need something from me?"

The words landed unexpectedly.

Iris's thoughts stalled. Is that really what he thinks...?

She sat up slowly, looking down, hesitating.

Julian reached for her hand, pulling it into his, his thumbs brushing lightly over her skin. "You can trust me."

She took a breath, steadying herself. "There's something I can't fix on my own. Zoe doesn't know what to do either. She said... maybe you could help."

Julian leaned in slightly. "What is it?"

Iris met his eyes, and something in his expression made it easier to speak.

"I invested two hundred million into my company. My parents found out, and now they won't stop. They want half of it for Ethan. They've even shown up at my workplace causing problems."

Julian's expression darkened immediately. "After everything you've already done for them, it's still not enough?"

Iris exhaled quietly. "They don't see it that way. In their minds, everything I have belongs to them. Like I owe them for the rest of my life... and owe Ethan too."

Julian's expression softened again, and he reached up, lightly ruffling her hair. "Next time something like this happens, tell me sooner. I'll handle it."

Iris blinked, surprised. "You already have a solution?"

He smiled faintly. "Something like this? It's not complicated."

She stared at him. Not complicated?

She had been losing sleep over this, feeling like she was being pushed into a corner with no way out, and to him...

It was simple?

Her voice tightened slightly. "You're not planning to... do something extreme, are you? Like sending people after them?"

Julian let out a quiet laugh, pulling her back into his arms, leaning into the couch as she rested against him.

His voice dropped near her ear again, softer this time. "Relax. Leave it to me. I'll take care of it tomorrow. After that, they won't ask you for money again."

"Tomorrow?" Iris tilted her head up. "What are you going to do?"

Julian leaned down, murmuring the plan against her ear.

His breath brushed her skin, sending a subtle shiver through her, but as she listened, her expression slowly shifted.

By the time he finished, she couldn't help but smile.

Of course.

That was how his mind worked, like a seasoned businessman, sharp, decisive, and streamlined, cutting through everything unnecessary without hesitation.

"I get it," she said, nodding.

She started to sit up, but Julian's arm tightened around her waist, pulling her back.

His gaze lingered on her, warm, steady, his voice low. "Iris... I just solved your problem."

He paused slightly, the hint of a smile forming.

"Don't I get something in return?"