His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 264: Passport Discovered

One thing, at least, Iris was certain of: Julian loved her.

When they stepped out of the elevator, Julian walked her to the door of her apartment. Iris fumbled for her keys, unlocked it, and turned to say goodbye. "See you later. Drive safe."

Julian remained silent, his gaze locked on her face, eyes dark and unreadable.

Just as Iris began to ease the door shut, he suddenly lifted a hand and pressed his palm against it, stopping it mid-sovement.

Startled, Iris froze, searching his expression. "Is something wrong?"

Without a word, Julian pushed the door open with one hand while the other settled firmly against her lower back, guiding her gently backward into the apartment before closing the door behind them.

Even with his hold steadying her, Iris felt a ripple of nerves. She raised her hands to his chest. "Julian, what are you doing?"

He eased her against the wall, caging her gently between his arms, and leaned in close. His breath was uneven, voice low and rough. "Iris... are you keeping something from me?"

Iris' heart jumped. Her eyes flickered away briefly.

Flustered, she turned her face aside, avoiding his gaze. "No."

Julian pressed his lips together, inhaling slowly. With a gentle but firm touch, he cupped her cheek and turned her face back toward him, forcing her eyes to meet his. "Look at me and tell me the truth. What aren't you saying?"

Her composure wavered. In his striking eyes, she saw restrained anger, but also warmth—so much warmth it ached.

Iris shook her head again, wordlessly.

Julian released her. Not even bothering to remove his shoes, he turned and strode across the living room, heading straight for the bedroom.

Panic surged. Iris hurried after him, catching his arm. "Julian, stop—what are you doing?"

But he was much stronger; her attempt to hold him back barely slowed him down.

Within moments, he was inside her room.

There, in the corner, sat two large suitcases. Most of her belongings were already gone.

On the dresser lay a manila envelope.

The second Julian picked it up, Iris lunged for it, her voice tight with alarm. "Julian, give that back!"

He held it high above his head—well out of her reach—and tore it open. The moment he pulled out the contents, he went still.

"What do you think you're doing?" Iris demanded, anger rising in her throat.

In one hand, Julian held her passport and plane tickets aloft. With the other, he took her arm, easing her back a step.

His chest rose and fell heavily, breath coming rough and strained. All at once, his eyes reddened, washed with a wave of raw, helpless anger.

He couldn't even raise his voice. When he spoke, it was painfully measured, each word deliberate. "Iris. You really are leaving. But why am I not part of your plan?"

Iris stopped trying to grab the papers. She stood still, outwardly calm, but inside her heart was pounding, each beat sharp with hurt. Her eyes grew damp, gaze holding his with unmasked guilt.

"Am I really that unlovable to you?" Julian's voice cracked, low and thick. Tears brimmed in his reddened eyes. "Even after I've laid myself bare—chased after you, given you everything I have, my money, my life... all I asked was one chance. Why do you have to be this cruel?"

Iris felt as if her heart were being torn in two. She fought to keep her voice steady, but her throat was tight, dry. "Please, give me back my passport."

A bitter smile touched Julian's lips, his eyes filled with nothing but sorrow. He tossed the envelope aside and, without hesitation, tore the passport and tickets clean in half.

Iris gasped, grabbing his arm with both hands. "Have you lost your mind?"

He let the torn pieces fall, then drew her ID card from the envelope and tucked it into his own pocket. In one fluid motion, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her firmly against him. "Yes. I've been out of my mind since the day you divorced me."

Iris braced her hands against his chest, looking up into his angry, glistening eyes. Fear and frustration tangled inside her.

Tears shimmered in Julian's gaze. His smile was colder, more pained than any sob. His arm around her tightened almost reflexively, each word pressed out with fierce intensity. "When I married you, I thought I was the luckiest man alive. Then one misunderstanding sent me from heaven straight into hell. I loved you so much it hurt—and sometimes, I hated you just as much. That misunderstanding ate away at me, every single day. Even now, I could make Arthur disappear without a trace. I have the means. But I held back... because I was terrified you wouldn't want a murderer. I've been fighting every day to win you back, and you just keep pushing me away. Iris, you're the one who drove me to this."

"Give me my ID," Iris whispered, tears spilling over. She reached again for his pocket.

Julian caught her wrist, drawing it behind her back, while his other hand cradled the base of her skull, tilting her face upward. Every syllable was thick with anguish. "How could you take my child and just walk out of my life? If you want me dead, then stab me right here. Just don't torture me like this."

Iris went rigid. Tears pooled, then fell. All pretense of calm shattered, replaced by sheer panic. She stared up at him, voice breaking. "You... you knew?"

"I knew the moment you asked me to get my blood tested." Julian's warm breath brushed her cheek. He was holding back tears, visibly restraining the storm of emotion, keeping his voice as soft and even as he could. "I kept waiting—hoping—you'd be the one to tell me. That I was going to be a father. I even dreamed about it."