His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 255: Taking Frank Home

Iris offered a soft smile and guided Frank to sit beside her. "What's worrying you, Frank?"

"Mom's back. I'm really scared," Frank whispered, his voice trembling.

Iris understood. Emily had once beaten Frank so severely he'd ended up in the hospital—a trauma that had left deep emotional scars.

She pulled him into a hug. "It's going to be okay, sweetie. Auntie won't let anything happen to you."

Frank buried his face against her shoulder. "Mm-hmm."

Not long after, the police arrived, turning the solemn funeral into something of a chaotic scene.

Strangely enough, Celeste kept defending Emily, speaking up on her behalf and helping her avoid serious trouble.

Emily, for her part, acted completely unrepentant. "We're still legally married," she shouted defiantly. "You can't just move on with another woman, Ethan. I won't agree to a divorce unless you give me full custody of Frank."

Eventually, the officers led Emily away, but not before she screamed one last time, "Give me back my son! Frank belongs with me!"

Frank shook with fear, sobbing uncontrollably in Iris' arms.

After the funeral, Iris returned to her job in the city.

But her mother kept calling, insisting she come back home and help deal with Emily, who was now showing up regularly to cause drama.

Sometimes Emily even brought along film crews from those daytime reality shows that specialize in family mediation, turning private conflicts into public spectacles.

Iris endured the constant calls for a few days before she'd had enough. She finally blocked her mother's number.

A week later, her phone buzzed with a call from Frank's smartwatch.

He was crying so hard he could barely speak. "Auntie... please... come get me. Daddy's sending me to live with Mom. He doesn't want me anymore..."

Heart racing, Iris calmed him down as best she could over the phone, then dropped everything at work and rushed over to Selena's large suburban home.

She could guess what was happening: Ethan had reached his limit with Emily's harassment and wanted out of the marriage—and the price of that divorce was likely handing Frank over to Emily.

And the one who'd probably convinced Ethan to agree to such a cruel arrangement? Celeste, without a doubt.

Just as she'd suspected.

At the villa, she found Frank, who ran straight into her arms, crying loudly. "I don't want to live with Mom. I want to stay with Dad and Grandma... and you, Auntie."

Ethan sat slumped in an armchair in the corner, his face buried in his hands. He looked torn, exhausted, and utterly defeated.

Celeste hovered beside him, speaking in a coaxing tone. "Ethan, Frank is Emily's son too. You're only letting her raise him—it's not like you're giving him up forever. Let her have this. Once we're married, we can always have more children."

What a vile woman.

Iris thought, rage simmering inside her. She clenched her fists, imagining all the ways she'd like to tell Celeste off.

But she wasn't the confrontational type, and right now both her mother and brother were siding with Celeste. Anything Iris said would just fall on deaf ears.

Still, she had to try and make Ethan see sense. Keeping her voice gentle but firm, she said, "Ethan, have you forgotten how Emily hurt Frank? Have you forgotten the hospital?"

Ethan winced but stayed silent.

Celeste cut in irritably, "Even animals care for their young. What mother doesn't love her own child?"

Iris shot her an icy glare, too furious to even reply.

Then Grace chimed in, "If Emily wants Frank so badly, maybe it's for the best. This way you can finally get the divorce over with and marry Celeste."

Iris stared at her mother in disbelief.

In that moment, her heart broke for Frank.

A faint smile played on Celeste's lips as she rubbed Ethan's shoulder. "We can have other children, Ethan. Lots of them."

Ethan finally looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, meeting Iris' gaze with pure helplessness. "Iris, Emily really does love him. I'm just letting her take care of—"

"That's enough," Iris interrupted sharply. She stood, took Frank's hand, and announced, "Frank is coming to live with me from now on."

Frank's crying stopped. He wiped his tears and held onto Iris' hand tightly, a small, hopeful smile appearing.

Instantly, both Grace and Ethan jumped to their feet. "Absolutely not!" they said in unison.

Iris' expression turned to stone. "I don't interfere in much, but when it comes to Frank, I'm drawing the line."

"You're just his aunt. What gives you the right to decide?" Celeste retorted, crossing her arms with an air of superiority.

Iris ignored her completely, keeping her eyes locked on Ethan. "Ethan, is being with a woman—any woman—really worth this? First Emily, now her." She gestured toward Celeste without looking. "Frank stays with me. If you want him back one day, you can start by repaying every cent of the money you owe me."

Ethan looked down, guilt written all over his face.

Celeste grew agitated. "She never even made you sign a promissory note! Why are you acting so scared of her?"

Without another word, Iris led Frank to his room to pack his things. She ignored the protests behind her, and within minutes, they were out the door.

*****

Back at her apartment building, the elevator doors slid open.

Iris stepped out holding Frank's hand, the two of them chatting quietly. As they approached her door, they spotted Julian standing there, a large grocery bag in one arm, knocking.

"Uncle Julian!" Frank called out happily.

Hearing his voice, Julian turned. A warm but slightly strained smile touched his lips as he saw them. He scooped Frank up with one arm. "Hey, buddy. Long time no see."

"Uncle, how come you're knocking? Don't you have a key?" Frank asked innocently.

Julian's smile faded slightly. He glanced over at Iris, who had looked away, her expression distant and closed off.

Without meeting his eyes, Iris retrieved her keys, walked past both of them, and unlocked the door.