His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 287: Dark Revelations

Julian's germaphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder meant everything he touched had to be cleaned and organized—repeatedly, relentlessly.

In the three years she spent by his side, Lily went from a wealthy socialite to an unloved maid, a verbal punching bag, a shadow in his pristine world.

And Julian loved every minute of it.

Tormenting anyone who dared get close was a habit he enjoyed far too much.

Lily's fists trembled as she clenched them, her voice tight. "I'm... not going."

Julian set the papers down, rose slowly, and closed the distance between them. His cold eyes narrowed before his strong, slender fingers dug into the back of her neck, yanking her forward.

"Ah—!" Lily cried out, pain and terror flashing in her eyes as she stared up at him.

Handsome as a fallen angel, Julian offered a smile that was nothing short of chilling. His whisper was deceptively soft. "You loved me so much once, Lily. You were willing to die to marry me. Why can't you stand three years with me?"

Her voice shook, tears threatening to fall. "It hurts... Julian, let go."

He didn't release her. Instead, his grip tightened. He leaned close, his breath brushing her ear. "Life is long, Lily. You have decades ahead of you. Plenty of time to suffer."

All color drained from her face.

"How long has it been going on with Arthur?" Julian's voice was low and dangerous. "Years, isn't it?"

Lily's legs weakened. Fear churned in her eyes. "If you knew... why aren't you angry? Why still marry me?"

He released her abruptly and took a step back. Pulling a disinfectant wipe from his pocket, he cleaned his hands with deliberate slowness. "I don't touch what's dirty. Marrying you or someone else makes no difference to me."

Lily's pupils shook as if the ground had dropped beneath her. Through gritted teeth, she forced out the words, "I want to call off the engagement."

A cold laugh escaped him before he crumpled the used wipe and threw it squarely at her face. Each word carried a venomous finality. "No. You wanted this wedding. It's happening."

Tears rolled slowly down Lily's pale cheeks.

*****

Fall in Edulet City was a canvas of warm colors—rust, amber, and gold stretching across the hills and lakeshore.

The ancient ginkgo trees lining the historic district shed their leaves like a golden carpet, weaving a thousand years of quiet history into the crisp morning light.

"Mommy, I don't wanna go to preschool today." The little voice was sweet and playful, tinged with that stubborn charm only a three-year-old could muster.

Iris glanced down at her daughter. Harper's round face, framed by a bob of soft hair, looked like a fluffy peach. Her wide, bright eyes glistened, and her pink little lips were set in a pout that begged to be kissed.

"Sweetheart, Mommy has a very important ceremony to attend today. You need to go to school."

"Can't I come with you, Mommy?" Harper pressed, her lower lip jutting out. "Pleeease?"

"Not today," Iris said gently, crouching to hold Harper's small shoulders. "Be a good girl for me. I'll pick you up right after school, okay?"

"When will that be?"

Iris pointed toward the sky. "When the sun starts going down, I'll be here."

Harper's face lit up with a sunny smile. "Okay! I'll wait for you."

Iris kissed her cheek, swept her into her arms, and carried her into the preschool building.

After dropping Harper off, Iris drove downtown to the Center for Science and Innovation.

By noon, the grand hall was filled to capacity.

Top scientists, researchers, and experts from across the nation mingled with government officials and corporate leaders.

News crews and journalists packed the media section, cameras fixed on the stage, waiting for the awards ceremony to begin.

This was the country's most prestigious science and technology honors event.

Iris had been notified weeks earlier: the groundbreaking drug she'd developed for a rare disease had earned both the top patent award and the national science medal.

She'd dressed carefully that morning—professional but understated, with just enough makeup to feel prepared. Her acceptance speech was memorized, yet now, waiting in the wings, nerves fluttered in her chest.

The ceremony was being broadcast live nationwide.

The thought made her palms damp.

The event opened with formal remarks before moving into the awards. Iris was called first.

Her heart beat faster—a mix of excitement and stage fright.

This was a milestone many scientists spent lifetimes pursuing. In just three years, she'd cracked a problem that had plagued her field for decades.

As the host read her achievements aloud, Iris scanned the sea of faces—and froze.

There, in the center of the front row, sat a man she never expected to see again.

Her scalp prickled. Her breath caught. For a few seconds, the world fell silent, everything fading to a blur except him.

Julian.

His expression was unreadable, his gaze steady and cool, fixed directly on her.

When their eyes met, there was no warmth—only distance, and a chill that seemed to swallow the room.

Iris hadn't prepared for this. Emotions tangled inside her, sharp and sudden.

A state official stepped onstage to present her award. Iris moved mechanically toward the microphone, her speech coming out measured, though her thoughts were scattered.

Then she saw Julian tilt his head slightly toward the bodyguard beside him.

He murmured something low. The guard nodded once and slipped quietly out of the hall.