His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 237: No More Running

Julian's expression shifted, something complicated flickering behind his eyes, and for a brief moment he hesitated before saying quietly, "I'll take you."

"I'm good," Iris replied without looking at him. "The subway's faster."

"I'll take you," he repeated, this time with quiet authority, the kind that didn't leave room for debate.

Iris let out a breath, irritation settling in as she turned to face him. "Can you respect what I'm saying for once? I said I don't need a ride."

Julian didn't budge. "We can walk downstairs, or I carry you. Your choice."

She stared at him, completely done with the conversation.

Arguing here would only turn into a scene, and she didn't have the energy for that.

"Fine," she said at last. "Back to the institute." Her eyes dropped to his hand still holding hers. "Now let go."

Julian released her without a word and handed the cotton swab to Owen before falling into step beside her. They walked in silence, took the escalator down, and made their way to the parking garage.

He opened the passenger door out of habit, but when he turned back, Iris was already in the back seat.

He paused, then closed the door quietly and got behind the wheel.

As the engine started, Iris glanced around. "Where's Owen? Isn't he coming?"

"He's got something to handle," Julian said, then caught her uneasy expression in the rearview mirror and added, "He's getting a checkup."

Iris didn't respond. She leaned back and turned her gaze to the window.

The drive was smooth, quiet, uneventful.

After a while, Julian spoke again. "Seatbelt."

Iris frowned slightly. Seriously?

Still, he wasn't wrong. She reached over and clicked it into place, then closed her eyes, letting the silence stretch.

Neither of them spoke again.

When they pulled up outside the research institute, Iris looked out and immediately spotted Grace standing near the gate with a few relatives she barely recognized.

Her stomach dropped.

She had skipped the blind date two days ago, and clearly, that hadn't gone over well.

Grace had already caused trouble here once and was no longer allowed inside, which explained why she was waiting outside like this.

The car came to a stop.

Julian followed her gaze. "Something going on?"

Iris didn't answer directly. "Turn around. Let's go back to the apartment."

Julian's eyes darkened. "And how long do you plan on avoiding this?"

Her chest tightened.

How long can I actually keep running?

Before she could say anything, Julian had already unbuckled and stepped out of the car.

Grace spotted him immediately and strode over with the others, peering through the tinted window.

"Julian? Is Iris in there?" she demanded, hands on her hips.

One of the women hurried to the front and looked through the windshield. "She's in there."

Grace grabbed the handle and yanked at the door. "Iris, get out."

Julian caught her arm and pulled her back, stepping in front of the door. "If you've got something to say, say it to me."

Grace scoffed, clearly emboldened by the group behind her. "You're divorced. This has nothing to do with you."

Julian's tone stayed even. "If you're not going to talk, I'm taking her and leaving."

"You wouldn't dare."

One of the relatives stepped forward, lowering her voice as if that made her reasonable. "Iris, your mom's trying to help you. Dating's already harder the second time around, and you're not getting any younger. Just meet the guy, see how it goes. Nobody's forcing you to marry him."

Julian's expression went cold, the shift immediate and unmistakable.

"Iris, get out of the car!" Grace snapped.

Julian let out a slow breath and pulled out his phone. "She's not a deal to negotiate. If this is about money, name your number."

The relative bristled. "We're not selling her. We just want her to have a good future."

Julian gave a short, humorless laugh. "Then say the number."

Grace's tone changed instantly, her expression softening in a way that had nothing to do with warmth. "Well... the other side did mention a hundred thousand as a marriage gift. If you're willing to cover that, then I—"

The car door opened.

Iris stepped out and walked straight over, pressing his phone down before he could do anything.

"My life isn't something you need to fix," she said calmly.

Julian exhaled, frustration flickering in his eyes. "I'm trying to help you."

"We're divorced," she said, each word steady and final. "We don't have that kind of relationship anymore. I don't need your help, and I don't want to owe you anything."

She glanced at Grace. "And even if you paid her, it wouldn't change anything. She'd just start again later."

Julian didn't argue. He just looked at her, something restrained and unspoken in his eyes.

Grace, already irritated, stepped forward and grabbed Iris's arm, yanking her hard. "What exactly have I done to you?"

Iris stumbled, but before she could steady herself, Julian stepped in and pulled her into his arms, one hand firm at her waist.

His voice dropped, sharp and controlled. "Stay away from her."