His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 275: Jealousy

Upstairs in her room, Iris caught the sound of an engine pulling up outside, followed by the distinct, sharp squeal of brakes.

She pushed back the covers, swung her legs out of bed, and—cradling her rounded belly—made her way out to the balcony to look down.

The night was misty. Julian's car sat parked in front of the garden. His figure moved quickly—he stepped out and hurried straight toward the house.

Iris turned back inside and walked to her bedroom door.

Her fingers had just brushed the doorknob when she paused again. A stubborn sense of resentment began simmering inside her.

Pregnancy had made her emotions swing up and down lately, and she'd grown more sensitive than usual.

Right then, hurried footsteps came rushing up the staircase—she could tell he was taking them two at a time—then a knock sounded at her door.

"Iris." His voice was slightly breathless. He spoke softly, "Are you asleep?"

Iris didn't answer.

Julian knocked twice more. "I'm coming in."

Instantly, Iris turned the lock.

Julian tried the handle a couple of times, but it wouldn't budge. He waited a beat before asking gently, "Are you upset I'm back late?"

Hearing him say that only made Iris feel more wronged.

He went to see Lily, didn't he?

She pulled the door open with a huff. Even though she tried to keep her expression neutral and avoided looking directly at him, the hurt still tinged her voice. "I'm not upset. Did you need something?"

Julian steadied his breathing, a gentle smile on his face, and moved to step inside.

Iris brought both hands up against his chest, tilting her head to meet his gaze. "Say what you need to say right here."

His voice stayed soft. "We talked this morning—I'm staying in here with you tonight. Now you won't even let me in?"

"I never agreed to that."

Julian took her hand, lowered it gently, then closed the door behind him once he was inside. "Were you looking for me today?"

"No."

He couldn't help the smile that touched his lips. He moved closer, murmuring near her ear, "Freya mentioned you asked for me a few times."

Iris didn't bother denying it this time. She pursed her lips, cheeks puffed slightly, and glared up at him.

Julian dropped his gaze, his tone tentative. "Something came up at the office. I got held up working late, so..."

Iris frowned. Suddenly, she reached up, gripped his shoulders, and leaned in—sniffing near his collar, then against his chest.

Julian's body went still. His hands settled at her waist. His breathing grew uneven, his chest rising and falling heavily. His Adam's apple bobbed, eyes darkening, gaze intense.

"Julian, you're lying." Iris' eyes reddened with frustration. She looked up at him accusingly. "You smell like sandalwood, and there's this... herbal balm scent, too. Where were you?"

Julian looked down at her. Slowly, warmth filled his eyes, tinged with a faint redness. He couldn't suppress the smile tugging at his mouth. His voice came out low, rough, and unbearably tender. "Iris... are you smelling me to check if I have another woman's perfume on me?"

Iris froze. Realizing what she'd just done, she quickly tried to pull her hands back.

Julian's eyes grew moist, but his smile remained. "You do care, don't you?"

Iris lowered her head, swallowed thickly, and tried to push his hands from her waist.

He cupped her face, tilting it up until their eyes met. "Back before the divorce, no matter how late I came home or what rumors were going around, you never asked, never seemed to care. I kept wishing you'd get jealous just once—question me, even argue with me. But you didn't give it a second thought. You'd just remind me to shower if I smelled like smoke. It drove me crazy back then."

A twinge of guilt stirred in Iris. She shot back, "You lied, and now you're trying to turn this around?"

"I did lie. I'm sorry. I was wrong." Julian's tone was sincere. "My grandmother wasn't feeling well. After I left the office, I went to check on her. The sandalwood scent is from her room. She had a headache and used some menthol balm—I must've picked up the smell when I hugged her."

Iris' stance softened. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine now." Julian smiled gently. "But I think I might've made things worse by not telling you. I didn't want you to worry or misunderstand. You seem pretty bothered."

"I'm not." Iris pushed lightly at his hands.

Julian bent his head, bringing his face closer to her flushed cheek. His eyes held hers as he teased, "What you just did... that was exactly like a wife checking her husband for signs he'd been somewhere he shouldn't."

Iris made a fist and thumped his chest. "I wasn't checking you. I was verifying whether you were telling the truth."

Julian didn't mind at all. His smile turned sweet, almost honeyed. "I'm not like other husbands, you know. I'd be happy to share my location with you—24/7, if you wanted."

"Pfft." Iris let out a soft, dismissive sound, though her mood lifted despite herself. She turned and walked toward the bed, mumbling, "I'm not that controlling."

Julian didn't leave her room that night.

Outmatched, Iris finally let him stay—though she insisted he sleep on the floor.

The next morning, when Iris woke, Julian was already gone from the room. She washed up, headed downstairs, and sat down for breakfast.

Freya was tidying the living room. From the kitchen came the familiar morning sounds of clinking dishes and running water.

"Good morning, Ms. Whitlow."

"Morning," Iris replied warmly, her gaze drifting almost unconsciously toward the kitchen. "Is Mr. Everhart not going into work today?"

"No, ma'am. I heard him say he's taking you to your prenatal appointment later."

It was only then that Iris remembered—today was her checkup. She'd lost track of the dates entirely.

She was seven months along now. Julian had made it to nearly every single appointment, handling every little detail with care.