His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 297: Ethan's Secret

"What kind of favor?"

"Just bring your ID and come with me to the hospital for a test."

"What test?"

"A DNA test—to check if we're really brother and sister."

Ethan was taken aback. "Why would we need that? Did something happen?"

Iris met his confused gaze. She wasn't sure how to explain everything right away, and worried that being too direct might make him refuse.

She decided to take a chance—to see how much she still meant to him. "Ethan, just trust me on this, okay? No questions. Whatever happens, will you have my back?"

Ethan didn't hesitate. His voice was soft but steady. "Alright. I won't ask. I trust you. Whatever you need, I'll do it."

Iris felt a warmth in her eyes and gave him a small, grateful smile.

He still felt like the big brother who had always looked out for her.

Reaching into his pocket, Ethan pulled out a debit card and slid it across the table toward her. "Listen... I've done pretty well these past few years. This is for you—to pay you back. There's five million in there. Once I make more, I'll give you more."

Iris stared at the card, stunned. "What have you been doing? Five million in three years?"

Ethan offered a strained smile. "Just business."

"What kind of business?"

"Construction."

"What kind of construction?"

He let out a quiet sigh. "Don't worry about it, okay? It's been three years—tell me about you. How long have you been back? Have you seen Mom? Are you doing alright now?"

Iris filled him in on everything that had happened recently.

When Ethan learned he was an uncle, his face lit up. His hands trembled slightly as he took hers, holding them for a long moment before finally calming down.

But he didn't say a word about his marriage to Celeste.

Even though Iris could tell something was off, Ethan wouldn't admit to anything.

After their catch-up, Ethan followed Iris to the testing facility.

They both showed ID and had their blood drawn.

Only then did Ethan realize it was a sibling DNA test.

Walking out of the clinic, Ethan looked grim. He stared down at the receipt in his hand, his voice low and troubled. "I'm sorry, Iris."

She smiled helplessly. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"

"It's not sudden. I let you down too many times back then. I get it if you don't want me as your brother anymore." His eyes reddened, voice cracking. "You hate me, don't you? You doubt how I feel about you... whether we're really family. You don't trust me anymore. That's why you brought me here—to do this test."

Iris stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ethan, I'll always remember how good you were to me. Who you love, who you choose to be with—that's your call. I won't interfere. I really do want you to be happy."

Ethan hugged her again, this time with a deep sadness.

Iris rested her chin on his shoulder and patted his back gently. "Ethan, you..."

She trailed off.

That faint scent on him bothered her again. She buried her face against his chest and inhaled, then abruptly pushed him away. Lifting his hand to her nose, she sniffed his palm.

Ethan flinched and jerked his hand back.

Iris' expression darkened, her tone serious. "Ethan, what is that smell on you? What have you been around?"

"There's no smell." He nervously sniffed his own hand and jacket.

Iris held back, speaking quietly but firmly. "Don't forget what I do for a living. I work with pharmaceuticals every day—prescription drugs, synthetics, compounds. I've smelled just about every substance out there. My nose doesn't lie. Don't try to fool me."

She pulled the debit card from her pocket and shoved it back into his hand. "I can't take this money."

Ethan looked hurt. "I worked hard for that. How is it dirty?"

Tears welled in Iris' eyes, turning them red. After a moment, she asked angrily, frustration clear in her voice, "Did Celeste get you into this? She studied pharmacology too. She knows this stuff."

Ethan froze, panic flashing in his eyes.

Iris clenched her fists, trembling with anger. She spoke slowly, each word sharp. "Ethan, how could you be this stupid? I never asked you to pay me back. Even if you never did, I wouldn't have blamed you. But why... why would you make money like this?"

Ethan's eyes darted away. He pocketed the card, his voice losing its certainty. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Iris gritted her teeth, murmuring, "You smell like opium."

Ethan tried to play it cool. He slid his hands into his pockets, then took them out, running one through his hair as he glanced around. Finally, he forced a smile. "Come on, that's impossible. Your nose must be off. You really think I'd touch that stuff? You're overthinking it. Maybe work's been getting to you lately? Hey—I saw you in the news. You won that national science award, and the patent prize too. Iris... I'm so proud of you. My sister's incredible. Our folks would be over the moon. You've really made something of yourself."