His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 238: Her Way Out

The shift in his tone was enough to silence everyone.

Even the relatives hesitated, exchanging uneasy glances, none of them stepping forward again.

For a brief moment, Iris stayed where she was, held against him, caught off guard by how instinctively safe it felt, how quickly the tension in her body eased.

So this is what it feels like... to have someone step in for you.

For a second, she let herself feel it.

But only for a second.

Because she knew better.

That kind of protection didn't belong to her.

Not from him.

There were things in his life that weren't hers, responsibilities that would never be hers to share.

She stepped back, putting space between them, her voice returning to its usual calm distance. "I can handle this."

Something flickered in Julian's eyes, but he didn't stop her.

Iris walked up to Grace, her tone cool and controlled. "You have one hour. Call him. Have him meet me here."

Grace blinked, then lit up. "Here?"

Iris pointed toward a café down the street. "I'll be there for one hour."

She turned and walked off without waiting.

Behind her, Grace was already pulling out her phone, excitement replacing frustration.

Julian stood there for a moment, then exhaled sharply and followed.

He caught up to her quickly, reaching out to stop her. "You don't have to do this. If you don't want the date, let me handle it. You don't owe me anything."

"I don't want it," Iris admitted, pulling her arm free. "But this is my problem. I can deal with it."

Julian studied her, his gaze steady. "And how exactly are you planning to do that? You really think any guy is going to walk away after seeing you?"

Iris let out a tired breath. "Julian, we're not together. We're not even friends. Stop getting involved in my life."

The words landed harder than she intended.

Julian went still, something in his expression tightening as a faint, bitter smile pulled at his lips.

She didn't stop.

She walked past him and into the café.

Inside, she took a seat by the window and ordered an iced coconut latte.

A few minutes later, a server set down a cup of hot milk.

Iris frowned. "I didn't order this."

The server gestured behind her. "Your boyfriend asked us to switch it."

Iris turned and saw Julian sitting a few tables away.

She pushed the cup back. "I don't know him. Please bring me what I ordered. Iced."

"Sorry about that," the server said quickly, taking it away.

When her drink arrived, she took a slow sip and pulled out her phone, scrolling through research data as she waited.

Half an hour later, Grace walked in with a man.

He looked to be in his early forties, slightly overweight, thinning hair, the kind of presence that didn't inspire confidence.

"This is my daughter, Iris," Grace said, all smiles.

The man's eyes lit up immediately, surprise and interest obvious.

Iris met his gaze calmly and gestured to the seat across from her. He sat down quickly, a little stiff, extending his hand. "Hi, I'm Jay."

"Nice to meet you," Iris said, her tone even.

Grace leaned forward eagerly. "So? First impression?"

"Very good," he said without hesitation, his eyes fixed on Iris. "You're beautiful."

Grace started to speak again, but Iris cut in smoothly. "Mom, can we talk alone?"

Grace forced a smile, leaning closer to Iris as she whispered under her breath, "Don't try anything."

At a nearby table, Julian's grip tightened around his cup.

Iris ignored it.

She looked back at the man across from her and said calmly, "Before we go any further, are you okay with me having a medical condition?"

He froze. Grace stiffened beside them. "Iris, what are you talking about? Don't start this."

Iris didn't respond.

She reached into her bag, pulled out a medical report, and slid it across the table.

The man picked it up.

His expression changed as he read, confusion turning into anger.

He stood abruptly and threw the paper back down. "You've got HIV? Seriously? What a waste of time."

He turned and walked out without another word.

Grace scrambled after him, panic replacing everything else. "That's not true. She's just saying that because she doesn't want to get married. Please, listen—"