His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 296: Staying Apart

Evening fell with a sudden downpour. A heavy storm swept in without warning, turning the sky pitch black in an instant.

Iris hurried to slide shut the balcony's glass doors.

Lights flickered on throughout the villa. Harper looked up at her mother curiously and asked, "Mommy, it's raining. Will Daddy get all wet? Should we bring him an umbrella?"

Iris glanced out the window, a hint of worry in her eyes.

The rain grew heavier, wind whipping through the trees and rustling the leaves loudly.

"He probably keeps an umbrella in his car. I'm sure he'll be fine," Iris said, lifting Harper into her arms. "How about we get you bathed first?"

"Okay!" Harper dropped her toys and followed Iris down the hall.

Half an hour later, Julian pushed open the front door, swapped his shoes for slippers in the entryway, and stepped inside while shrugging off his suit jacket.

He came to an abrupt stop, frowning at the sight of the living room.

Toys, picture books, and crayons were scattered everywhere.

Just then, Iris came down the staircase holding Harper's hand.

"Daddy... you're home!" Harper chirped, darting toward him happily.

A soft smile touched Julian's lips. He stepped forward and scooped her up.

Harper patted his damp hair and shoulder. "Did the rain get you, Daddy?"

"Daddy had an umbrella. I'm all dry," Julian murmured in a warm, gentle tone, leaning close to her shoulder for a moment. "You smell so good, sweetie. Did you just have a bath?"

Harper nodded eagerly and pointed toward Iris. "Mommy helped me."

Julian's gaze lifted to meet Iris'.

The moment their eyes locked, Iris quickly looked away. She bent down to begin gathering the toys from the floor.

With Harper still in his arms, Julian walked over and said evenly, "Leave them. Don't worry about cleaning up right now."

Iris hesitated, paused for a few seconds, then set the toys back down and straightened up.

Julian brushed past her, carrying Harper toward the stairs.

No greeting passed between them, no exchange—nothing but a cold, distant silence, as if they were strangers.

Iris felt a heavy weight settle in her chest. A wave of aching, suffocating sorrow washed over her.

"Did you have an umbrella with you?" she asked, breaking the quiet.

Julian continued walking, his back to her, and replied coolly, "It's by the door."

Iris stood still as he carried Harper up to the second floor and into the bedroom.

From the room, Harper's voice piped up. "Daddy, can I sleep in Mommy's room tonight?"

Julian settled her onto the large bed and smoothed her hair. "Be a good girl tonight, Harper. You're staying with me."

"But it's storming... Won't Mommy be scared sleeping alone?"

Julian fell silent.

He didn't answer. His expression was shadowed. He moved to the edge of the balcony, drew the curtain aside slightly, and looked down toward the driveway.

The villa's courtyard lights glowed dim and amber under the pouring rain, illuminating a black umbrella moving slowly toward the gate.

Iris walked from the villa out toward the heavy iron gate. Her pants and shoes were already soaked through. A sharp, cold wind cut through her, biting into her skin.

The rain was coming down too hard—even with an umbrella, it offered little protection.

She trembled all over. Pushing open the iron gate, she hesitated, then glanced back over her shoulder up toward the second floor.

The room upstairs was brightly lit, the balcony clearly visible.

From a hundred yards away, her eyes found the figure behind the glass window.

Through the clear pane and the blur of falling rain, their gazes met.

She couldn't make out Julian's expression or the look in his eyes. She only sensed a darkness in him deeper than the storm outside, a chill colder than the rain.

Maybe he didn't just not love her—maybe he actually hated her now.

The thought sat bitterly in Iris' heart. She stepped out through the gate and closed it softly behind her.

The following morning, after the storm had passed, the sky was clear and bright, washed clean and blue.

Iris had arranged to meet Ethan.

Inside a quiet, spacious café, Ethan arrived in a rush. The moment he spotted Iris, his face lit up. His eyes sparkled with excitement and joy.

"Iris..." he said as he approached. When she rose, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. "Iris... three years... where have you been all this time? I've missed you so much."

Iris stiffened slightly, caught off guard.

When they were younger, she and Ethan had been close. But somewhere along the way, those warm feelings had faded.

Maybe it started around the time he got together with Celeste.

Iris drew a slow breath. Suddenly, she caught a strange, unfamiliar scent on him.

She leaned in slightly. "Ethan, what is that smell?"

Ethan pulled back after a beat, looking somewhat embarrassed. "I, uh, didn't get a chance to shower yesterday. Must be me."

Iris shook her head. "No... it's not sweat. It's like some kind of odd fragrance. Tell me the truth."

Ethan shifted uncomfortably before taking a seat. "Come on, sit down. I'm just really happy to see you."

Iris sat across from him. "Did you and Celeste end up getting married?"

Ethan's expression darkened. He gave a slow nod.

"And the baby? How old now?"

"Didn't make it past three months. Wasn't developing right," Ethan said with a tinge of bitterness, then offered a faint, tired smile. "Maybe it's for the best. Never could be too sure whose it was anyway."

Iris saw no happiness in Ethan's eyes.

His face was etched with something complicated—a mix of sorrow and pent-up worry.

"So what did you want to talk about, Iris?" Ethan asked after ordering a coffee and taking a sip.

Iris cleared her throat softly. "Ethan, I need to ask you for a favor."