His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 293: Daddy and Daughter

Harper wasn't a picky eater—she'd happily eat whatever was put in front of her.

Still, she hadn't quite gotten the hang of using a fork properly. Every few bites, a piece of food would slide off and fall back onto her plate.

Julian ended up feeding her himself.

The large suburban house felt especially quiet with just the two of them inside.

As he carefully lifted another bite to her lips, Julian asked gently, "Harper, how did you first find out about me... about your dad?"

Harper chewed thoughtfully, swallowed, then answered in her serious little voice, "It was during Father's Day at preschool. All the other kids had their daddies there, but I didn't. So I started crying and asking for you."

She paused, remembering. "Mommy said you were away for work but would come back soon. Then she showed me a picture of you on her phone. That made me feel better."

Julian's eyebrows lifted slightly. "Your mom keeps a photo of me on her phone?"

Harper blinked her big round eyes and nodded earnestly. "Yeah. Every time I missed you and cried, Mommy would take out her phone and show me your picture. Then I'd stop crying."

A soft smile touched Julian's lips. He reached over and gently brushed her cheek. "That was pretty smart of her."

Harper pouted, her little face suddenly clouded with a worried expression. "Daddy... why don't you and Mommy live together? All my friends' parents live in the same house."

Julian's smile faded. He pressed his lips together briefly, then scooped up another bite of pasta. "Here, sweetie, have a little more."

But Harper didn't bite. She kept her eyes fixed on him, waiting. "You didn't answer me."

Julian let out a quiet, almost helpless sigh. When kids decided they wanted an answer, there really was no way around it.

He met her gaze and said gently, "Maybe... because Mommy doesn't like Daddy very much right now."

Harper's face fell. "Why wouldn't she like you?"

He made up an excuse on the spot. "Maybe Daddy isn't handsome enough."

Instantly, Harper looked positively offended. Her voice rose with conviction. "That's not true! You're so handsome, Daddy. Handsomer than all my friends' dads!"

Julian's chest warmed. "Does Harper still like me, then?"

"Yes!"

"Then that's enough for me," he murmured softly. Setting the bowl down, he pulled her into his arms and held her close.

Harper wrapped her small arms around his neck and patted his back gently, as if comforting him. "Don't be sad, Daddy. Harper likes you lots."

Julian's throat tightened. His voice dropped to a low, tender tone. "Thank you, sweetheart."

After breakfast, Harper settled by the low living room coffee table with her crayons and paper.

Julian took a seat on the sofa nearby, pulled out his phone, and dialed Iris.

The line rang several times before she picked up, her voice thick and groggy with sleep. "Hello?"

Julian glanced at the wall clock—it was already 8:30.

"Harper wants to see you," he said evenly.

Iris jolted awake. "Where is she?"

"The suburban villa. The one you stayed in when you were pregnant."

"Okay. I'll be right there."

He didn't reply, simply ended the call. His gaze drifted down to Harper, who was now completely absorbed in her drawing. A quiet, heavy feeling settled in his chest.

Harper was coloring with intense focus—bright blue sky, fluffy white clouds, a shining sun, green grass dotted with little flowers, a small house, and three stick figures holding hands: Daddy, Mommy, and Harper in the middle.

She worked carefully, choosing rich, lively colors, not once looking up.

That concentration, Julian thought, she definitely got from her mother. Once Iris set her mind on something, nothing could break her focus. And here was Harper, just the same.

He stayed beside her, watching quietly as she drew.

Minutes ticked by.

Maybe he was waiting. Maybe he was just... watching.

Half an hour passed before Harper finally set her crayons down. She picked up her finished drawing, climbed to her feet, and hurried over to Julian, beaming. "Daddy, do you like it?"

His smile returned, warm and genuine. "It's beautiful, Harper."

"It's for you," she announced, climbing into his lap.

He held her close and couldn't resist kissing her cheek once more. "Thank you, sweetie. I'll put it in a frame and hang it on the wall. How does that sound?"

"Yes!" Harper giggled, delighted.

Julian carried her into the study, found a simple frame that fit the paper, and carefully mounted the drawing before hanging it on the wall.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Harper looked up at him, eyes bright with curiosity. "Is Mommy here?"

Julian nodded. "Yes."

Harper dashed out of the room, and Julian followed at a slower pace.

He opened the front door.

Iris stood there, her hair falling like a waterfall over her shoulders. She was dressed simply in a crisp white blouse and tailored trousers, elegant and understated—beautiful in a way that still caught Julian off guard, even now.

The moment Harper saw her, she sprinted forward. "Mommy!"

Iris immediately knelt and pulled Harper into a tight hug. "Oh, sweetie, I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, Mommy. So, so much," Harper murmured, planting a kiss on Iris' cheek before pulling back and taking her hand. "Come inside!"

Still holding Harper's hand, Iris rose to her feet—and her eyes met Julian's.

He was leaning against the doorframe in casual sweatpants and a sweatshirt, looking handsome but somehow distant, his expression unreadable as he watched them.

Iris hadn't planned to stay—just to pick up Harper and go. But before she could say a word, Julian spoke first.

"Come in," he said, his voice low. Then he turned and walked back inside.

Harper tugged Iris forward, and she had little choice but to follow.

Stepping into the villa after three years felt strangely familiar—as if time had stood still. The decor was exactly as she remembered.

Everything was clean and neatly kept. Iris slipped into a pair of disposable guest slippers by the entry.

Julian had already disappeared upstairs.

Iris had barely taken a seat on the sofa when Harper pulled her up again, leading her by the hand into the study.

Harper pointed proudly at the drawing now hanging on the wall. "Look, Mommy—I made this today. Do you like it?"