His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 270: Demands

Before Iris could finish her sentence, Julian interrupted her. "No."

Iris bit down on her lower lip, her fingers curling tightly into fists at her sides.

Julian met her frustrated gaze, his own voice low and strained. "I know you'll hate me for this. But I'm scared you'll run. I can't risk trusting you'll stay—not with something this important."

"After the baby is born," Iris pressed, her tone growing sharper, "will you let me go then?"

Julian lowered his eyes, avoiding the question. "I'll put the pastries in the kitchen. You should get some rest."

He turned toward the staircase, but Iris moved quickly, stepping directly into his path. "Julian—answer me. If I have this baby and give it to you, will you let me leave?"

The hand holding the bakery bag tightened until his knuckles went pale. His Adam's apple bobbed once. There was a wounded, almost fragile look in his eyes, and his voice softened, losing its earlier force. "You'd really give up a child you carried for nine months... just to get away from me?"

Iris had never planned on giving up the baby. She just needed to hear his answer—because whatever he said next would shape every choice she made from here on out.

She enunciated each word slowly, clearly. "Just answer the question, Julian."

His reply came firm and unyielding. "No."

A dry, humorless laugh escaped her. She let her hands fall to her sides, disappointment washing over her expression. "You liar."

"What did I lie about?" he shot back, frowning deeply. His voice rose, every syllable charged with intensity. "From the very beginning, the only thing I ever wanted was you, Iris. The baby—that's a blessing, but it's not why I'm doing this. I want you. You. Only you."

He was nearly shouting by the end, the words tearing out of him raw and unfiltered.

Iris took a small step back, unsettled by his outburst. Her own voice dropped to a murmur. "Why are you being so cruel?"

Julian felt a pang of guilt. He released a quiet, weary sigh, his tone gentling. "I wasn't trying to be cruel."

"It felt like it."

"I'm sorry," he said, softening his words as much as he could. "That's on me."

The apology was so tender and sincere that Iris almost felt guilty herself—as if she were taking advantage of his feelings, pushing him around because she knew he cared.

She reached out and took the pastry bag from his hand. "I'll take those."

Julian stilled. The brush of her fingertips against his skin sent a small, involuntary smile to his lips. "If there's anything else you want, just tell me. I'll get it for you."

"The books in your study aren't really my style."

"What kind do you like? I'll have someone bring over a selection tomorrow."

"Never mind," Iris shook her head, then looked up at him. "What I really want is a lab. Can you set one up for me here?"

Julian's eyes dropped worriedly to the gentle curve of her belly. "You're already five months along. You really want to be working right now?"

"Forget it if it's too much trouble," she huffed, moving to brush past him toward her room.

Quickly, Julian turned and caught her wrist. "Okay. If that's what you want, I'll make it happen."

Iris' mood lifted instantly. She gave him a small, genuine smile. "Thank you."

"Anything else?"

"Not right now. I'll let you know."

Julian nodded but didn't release her hand right away.

Iris tugged lightly at her wrist. "Goodnight, Julian."

Reluctantly, he let go. "Goodnight."

Back in her room, Iris ate the pastries he'd brought her, her thoughts tangled and restless.

Julian's words replayed in her mind.

He was being completely unreasonable—and yet, somewhere deep down, it stirred something in her.

Maybe, despite everything, part of her still loved him.

Well, she'd make the best of it for now.

The most important thing was getting through the pregnancy. Everything else could wait.

The very next day, the entire top floor of the villa was cleared out and converted into a fully equipped laboratory.

Iris handed Julian two detailed supply lists. Within three days, every item had been delivered.

Having the lab changed everything. She didn't feel so isolated anymore.

Apart from eating and sleeping, she spent nearly every waking hour there.

She even hung a sign on the lab door. "Experiment in Progress—Do Not Disturb."

Neither Julian nor the housekeeper, Freya, dared to interrupt her.

Even when she skipped meals, Freya wouldn't knock.

A month passed.

Inside the lab, Iris stared intently at the pale blue liquid spinning slowly inside a glass vial.

Outside the window, the sky had softened into dusk. She'd lost track of time again, spending the whole day absorbed in her work.

A faint stir in her swollen belly reminded her she'd missed dinner... again.

"Just ten more minutes, sweetie," she whispered, carefully transferring the vial into the incubator.

Suddenly, the glass shattered.

Hot liquid splashed across the back of her hand.

"Ah!" she cried out, jerking back. A red, blistering patch bloomed instantly on her skin.

Seconds later, the lab door flew open. Julian rushed in, his face pale. "What happened?"

His eyes zeroed in on her injured hand. His pupils contracted sharply.

Before she could answer, he'd already scooped her into his arms. Iris gasped. "Put me down—it's just my hand!"

"Hold still," he said tightly, carrying her out of the lab and into her bathroom. He set her gently by the sink and turned on the cold water.

The stream ran over the burn. Julian kept a firm but careful hold on her wrist, his brow deeply furrowed.

"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly, the worry in his voice barely restrained.