His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 279: Phone Returned

"You can live however you want," she said quietly, "but I don't have that choice."

"Then tell me what you see in me."

"You?" Iris looked at him, feeling a pang of sadness. She offered a faint, pressed-lipped smile and dropped her gaze.

"Too complicated? Can't figure me out?"

"No. It's that you're too simple." She meant it as a kind of compliment.

To her, Julian wasn't some flawless storybook hero—but he was capable, successful in his career, handsome, tall, and kept himself in good shape. He knew how to enjoy life, had a romantic streak, was presentable in public and handy around the house, and he took care of the people close to him.

"Simple how?"

"Right now, you're one step away from being love-obsessed, and one step back from being blindly dutiful."

Julian felt a bitter twist inside, but her words still pulled a strained laugh from him. "You really know how to put me on the spot."

Iris felt the same bitterness, like she'd bitten into something sour and harsh. If Julian's father would just accept her, she could easily ignore Vivian's existence and remarry Julian in a heartbeat.

She wanted that too—to give their child a complete family.

But since when did life go the way she wanted?

After a 24-hour observation at the hospital, once the baby was stable, Iris was discharged and went home.

During that time, Julian's phone buzzed repeatedly. He didn't dare answer in front of her, and each time he stepped away, his expression tightened. Even from down the hall, she could catch pieces of tense, raised voices.

It was probably about him shoving Lily—making her fall—which had upset the elders in his family, especially his father.

Once Iris was home, Julian stopped going into the office entirely. He worked remotely, staying by her side around the clock.

Over her objections, he even had security cameras installed in every main area of the house.

One afternoon, Julian brought her phone over. "Send Zoe a voice message back."

Iris wasn't sure why. She took it and checked WhatsApp. Zoe had been messaging her for weeks.

For a while, Zoe had checked in every few days, but Julian hadn't replied once.

The latest message had just come through.

"Iris, if I don't hear from you today, I'm calling the police. You wouldn't go months without answering me. I have every reason to think you're missing or worse."

Iris took the phone and called Zoe via WhatsApp.

Zoe picked up immediately, voice sharp with worry. "Iris, what the hell is going on? Why have you been MIA for months? Do I not matter anymore? Where are you? Talk to me!"

Iris managed a soft, tired smile. "You just fired off a whole speech. Did you give me a chance to say anything?"

Hearing her voice, Zoe finally eased a little. "Okay, first things first—where are you?"

Iris glanced up at Julian, who was watching her closely. "At Julian's place."

Julian's brow furrowed.

"But you posted on Instagram that you were traveling?"

"No. Julian posted that for me."

Julian put his hands on his hips, exhaled slowly, and his forehead creased deeply. He muttered under his breath, "Don't make it sound worse than it is."

"What?" Zoe's voice turned tense. "Did he kidnap you or something?"

Iris let out a light, almost careless laugh. "Pretty much. I'm pregnant. With his baby. I was planning to move overseas and raise the kid on my own, but he found out, tracked me down, and now I'm... stuck here."

Julian grabbed the phone back and put it on speaker.

Zoe's voice rose.

"Oh my god. I'm calling the cops on this jerk."

Julian's face darkened. He held back his irritation and said, "Zoe, stay out of this. It's not your business."

"You're holding my best friend against her will and you think I'm out of line?"

Julian planted a hand on his hip, his tone heavy. "She's carrying my child. She tried to run off without telling me. Does that sound right to you?"

"All you did was contribute some sperm when it was convenient. You think that makes you father of the year?"

"Let's keep this civil."

"Julian, I want to see her. Now. Send me the address."

"She needs rest right now. You can visit after the baby comes."

"Don't you control her like that. I swear I'll call the police."

"Go ahead. This is a family matter. You really think the police will intervene?"

"You two are divorced. What family matter?"

"An ex-wife is still family. Especially when she's carrying my child. We go out for appointments, we go shopping—she cooperates just fine. Ask any cop if that counts as a domestic issue."

Zoe went quiet.

She'd seen enough real-life drama to know he had a point.

"If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

Zoe spoke up quickly, "If you hurt her, I'll make you regret it."

Julian gave a weary smile. "I care about her too much to hurt her. Why don't you talk some sense into your best friend? Tell her to go a little easier on me."

Zoe's anger seemed to fade slightly.

After all, this was the Iris she knew—never one to sweet-talk any man.

Julian ended the call, turned, and walked back to Iris, handing her the phone.

Iris looked up at him, surprised, then down at the device.

"Keep it. Stay in touch with your friends and family so they don't worry."

Iris took it. "Aren't you afraid I'll run?"

"The baby's due in a little over a month. I'm here 24/7. Where would you go?"