His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 260: A Fresh Start?

Ethan didn't say a word. He kept his arms around Celeste and didn't let go.

Julian's tone was sharp. "Are you really going to wait until there's no turning back to finally regret this?"

Ethan glanced over at Iris, then back down at Celeste.

Celeste's lips trembled, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Ethan, we've known each other for years. Don't you trust me by now?"

Ethan stumbled over his words. "I just..."

Iris' eyes burned, tears pooling before she could blink them away. Her heart felt like it had been slammed by a semi-truck.

Her nephew—the boy she'd loved like her own—was gone. No matter how hard she'd tried to shield him, she hadn't been able to keep him safe.

Her mother, her brother, Celeste... they'd all played a part in Frank's death, directly or not. She hated how powerless she'd been. She hated their stubborn blindness even more.

And now, after everything, she'd hoped her brother would finally see the truth.

But she'd expected too much.

Some people don't change until it's right in front of them—until there's no pretending left.

Iris slowly reached for Julian's hand. Her voice came out hollow. "Get me out of here. I can't stand to look at them anymore."

"Okay." Julian wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her away without looking back.

Ethan panicked, taking a step after them. "Iris, wait—"

But Celeste clutched his wrist, swaying on her feet. "Ethan, it hurts so much... Aren't you going to help me?"

Ethan watched his sister walk away, torn for a long moment, before turning back to steady Celeste.

Inside the car, Julian drove carefully, glancing into the rearview now and then.

Iris sat slumped against the passenger window, her eyes empty, fixed on the passing streets. She looked completely drained.

"Iris," Julian said softly, "let me take you to the hospital. You don't look well."

She shook her head slowly. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine. I'm worried about you."

Iris let out a slow, shaky breath, like she was trying to force all the heaviness in her chest out into the air.

It didn't help. The ache stayed—a raw, broken feeling that left her numb and disconnected.

After a long silence, she spoke quietly, more to herself than to him. "You know, I really regret some things, Julian."

"What things?" he asked, keeping his eyes on the road.

The ghost of a bitter smile touched her lips. Her vision blurred again with tears. "Back when you asked me to move overseas with you... I didn't want to give up my career. My family. Frank. So I said no." She swallowed hard. "Now my career's gone. Frank's gone. Looking back... none of what I held onto was worth what I lost."

Julian's hands tightened on the wheel. Without warning, he signaled and pulled sharply to the curb. He undid his seatbelt, turning in his seat to face her fully. His voice was low, urgent, tender. "Iris, if you mean that—if you're willing—I can take you away. Right now. Tonight."

Through her tears, Iris studied his face—handsome, earnest, those deep eyes full of a sincerity that made her chest hurt.

Tears rolled freely down her cheeks now. She gave a broken little laugh and shook her head, wiping at her face with the back of her hand. "My hormones are all over the place lately. I just... I'm just venting. Don't take me seriously."

Julian reached over and took her hand, holding it firmly. His own eyes were red-rimmed. "I am serious. If there's nothing left here for you, I'll take you anywhere. Anywhere you want to go."

"But your work... Lily... your whole life here. You can't just walk away from all that."

"Yes, I can," he said without hesitation. "It's called moving, not disappearing. I can build a life somewhere else—with you."

Iris laughed weakly through her tears and gently pulled her hand back. "You make it sound so easy."

Julian's fingers curled slowly into his palm as he withdrew his hand. His voice softened. "Just think about it, okay? A fresh start. Somewhere far from all this."

"Okay," she whispered, turning again to stare out the window.

Julian watched her for a long moment before facing forward again. He started the engine and pulled back into traffic.

Iris' thoughts were a tangled mess.

She'd worked so hard to build the life she had—climbing her way up, step by step. It hadn't come easy. But again and again, family had pulled her back, held her down.

Everything she once thought mattered, everyone she thought she couldn't leave... now it all felt dead to her. She was ready to let it go.

Her father was gone. Frank was gone.

Her mother had Selena. Ethan had Celeste. Julian had Lily—or did he?

Her company was gone. She could sell her shares anytime. Maybe it really was time to leave.

Instead of heading home, Iris had Julian drop her at the research lab.

As she stepped out of the car, he came around to her side and took her hand once more. "Iris, I know you don't have any reason to trust me anymore. But I'm going to ask anyway—give me another chance. Come away with me. Let me spend the rest of my life showing you that you're the only one who matters to me. I'll make sure you're happy. Every single day."

"I'm sorry," she said softly, easing her hand from his. "What I said earlier... I was just upset. Please don't read into it." She looked down, avoiding his gaze. "Thanks for the ride. I should get inside."

The disappointment in Julian's eyes was plain, but he only nodded. "Alright. If you get tired, go home and rest. Call me if you need anything. Anything at all."

Iris nodded, turned, and walked into the building.

Julian stood by his car, watching her slender figure disappear through the glass doors. She carried none of the usual softness of pregnancy—just weariness.

His gaze lingered, full of quiet concern, long after she was gone.

*****

The next day, around noon, Iris' phone buzzed.

It was Zoe, her voice practically vibrating with excitement. "Iris, have you seen the news? Check the trending tab right now. Oh my god, who did Celeste piss off? She is getting dragged—and I mean dragged. This is unreal... Honestly? She had it coming."