His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 232: Letting Go

Julian's expression darkened immediately. "This doesn't involve you."

Brandon didn't move. His tone stayed calm, but firm. "You're right, your relationship isn't my business. But the way you're treating her right now is."

Julian's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. Instead, his gaze shifted past Brandon, landing on Iris again.

She didn't meet his eyes.

On the surface, she looked composed, but inside, everything felt like it was pulling apart. She understood him, understood exactly what he wanted, a future where she stood beside him no matter what, where she stayed, where she endured.

But she couldn't do it.

And she wouldn't.

The silence stretched until Julian's phone rang.

He glanced at it and declined the call without hesitation. "This isn't about Lily," he said, his voice low. "What's between us—"

The phone rang again.

Iris looked at him calmly. "You should take it."

He hesitated.

She held his gaze. "If you don't, she's going to hurt herself again."

That was enough.

Julian answered.

Irene's voice came through immediately, frantic and shaking. "Julian, please come back. Lily woke up and couldn't find you. She's losing control again, she's hurting herself, hitting her legs, banging her head against the wall, she keeps saying she doesn't want to live—"

"I'm on my way," Julian said, cutting her off before ending the call.

He stood there for a moment, gripping his phone, looking at Iris like he wanted to say something else.

She didn't look back at him.

Not once.

After a few seconds, he turned and walked away.

The night air brushed against Iris's face, cool and sharp. She lifted a hand and touched her cheek, only then realizing her fingers were wet.

She forced herself to steady, but when she looked at his retreating figure, her vision blurred anyway.

Her chest tightened, the ache spreading until even breathing felt difficult.

She forced it down.

When Brandon turned toward her, she lowered her head immediately, pulling out her phone as if nothing had happened.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

"I'm fine," she said.

Then, without hesitation, she blocked Julian's number and his WhatsApp.

Brandon noticed. "You sure you don't want to think about it?" he asked carefully. "He seems like he has his reasons."

Iris managed a small smile, though her eyes were still damp. "Love and marriage aren't the center of my life," she said evenly. "If they ever start destroying what I've built, then they're not worth it."

Brandon nodded slowly. "Want me to walk you up?"

She shook her head. "I've got it. Thanks for the ride."

She turned and walked toward the building, each step heavier than the last.

The night air was cold.

But it still didn't compare to what settled in her chest.

At the hospital, Lily's room was in complete disarray, furniture overturned, things scattered everywhere.

When Julian walked in, she was in her wheelchair, crying uncontrollably. Irene sat nearby, wiping her tears, while Harold stood off to the side with two caregivers, all of them looking exhausted and helpless.

The moment Harold saw Julian, he rushed over and grabbed his hand, his voice breaking. "You're finally here. She won't stop hurting herself. I don't know what to do anymore. Please... help her."

Julian looked at him, then at Irene, both of them aged overnight from stress and exhaustion.

Caring for Lily around the clock had clearly taken a toll on them, leaving both Irene and Harold exhausted, their faces drawn with fatigue.

Julian watched them quietly, a weight settling in his chest. They had known him since he was a kid, had been part of his life for as long as he could remember, and he had always respected them. Seeing them like this now, worn down and helpless, made it impossible not to feel for them.

He walked over and crouched in front of Lily, his voice steady. "Did you take your medication?"

Lily shook as she grabbed his hand tightly. "Where were you?" she cried. "I couldn't find you. I was scared. I couldn't stop thinking, I kept spiraling... I couldn't control it. I didn't want to live anymore."

Julian closed his eyes briefly, exhaustion settling in. Then he stood. "I'll get your meds."

Before he could move, Lily wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, her voice breaking. "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me. I don't need anything else. I don't care about anything else. I just want you to stay."

Julian pulled her hands away, stepping back, his tone firmer now. "Take your medication. Focus on getting better. The only people you're hurting right now are your parents. Do you really want to keep doing this to them?"

His voice wasn't harsh.

But it was steady enough that she couldn't ignore it.