His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 318: A Dress and a Confession

Julian stepped into the living room, halting a short distance from Lily. His tone was edged with icy annoyance. "You're married now. Isn't this enough?"

Lily met his gaze with an earnest expression. "We've known each other over twenty years. Just because things didn't work out between us doesn't mean we have to act like strangers. Yes, I'm married—but is it really so wrong to wish you a happy holiday and see how you're doing?"

A faint, cold smile touched Julian's lips. Instead of replying to Lily, he turned sharply toward Arthur, his voice low and warning. "Keep your wife in check. Tell her to stop looking in my direction."

With that, he turned and made his way upstairs.

Arthur's expression tightened visibly. His hands clenched slowly at his sides, suppressed anger radiating from him like a visible haze.

Lily's eyes lingered on Julian's retreating figure, unwilling to let go.

Upstairs, Julian entered the bedroom and closed the door softly behind him.

The sound stirred Iris from sleep. She rubbed her eyes, slipping a pale arm from beneath the covers to grab her phone from the nightstand.

11:30 a.m.?

She sat up abruptly, clutching the sheet to her chest. Her tousled hair spilled over her bare shoulders as she glanced around—and then she noticed Julian standing across the room, watching her.

He was already fully dressed, posture straight, his gaze intense and unreadable. Something about the way he looked at her made her cheeks warm and her heart skip. She felt suddenly self-conscious.

Flustered, she tugged the sheet higher and scanned the floor for her clothes from the night before.

Julian walked to the closet, opening it as he spoke. "I put your things in the wash."

Iris smoothed her hair awkwardly with one hand.

He pulled out a soft brown floral maxi dress from inside. "How about this?"

Nodding, Iris kept the sheet pressed to her chest.

Julian grabbed a set of underwear as well, shut the closet door, and approached the bed. He held them out to her.

"Thanks," she murmured, taking them with one hand.

But he didn't move away—just stood there, watching her.

After a few seconds, she looked up. "Could you give me a minute?"

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. His voice was quiet, almost tender. "I've already seen you. Touched you. Kissed you. What's left to hide?"

Iris' face flushed bright red. Embarrassment washed over her, hot and sudden. Annoyed, she kneeled up on the mattress, still holding the sheet, and gave his shoulder a light shove. "Just go."

He exhaled softly and turned around. "Like this?"

Iris stared at his back, exasperated. She let out a quiet sigh, hurried into her underwear, then pulled the dress over her head and worked it into place.

Dropping the sheet, she swung her legs off the bed and stood, reaching behind to try and zip up the dress.

Julian heard her fumbling and turned back. He stepped close behind her. "Here."

She lowered her hands and let him help.

Gently, he swept her hair over one shoulder. His fingers found the zipper, but then he paused, his eyes lingering on the soft curve of her back.

Slowly, he drew the zipper upward. His gaze warmed; his throat moved almost imperceptibly. His breathing deepened, turning heavier in the quiet room.

"Where's Harper?" Iris asked softly.

"May's watching her."

"Oh." Once he finished, she slipped toward the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she emerged, face washed and hair tied in a loose ponytail. Julian was standing by the balcony, looking out.

"I'll head down first," she said.

He turned to face her. "Let's have lunch up here. I'll have the kitchen bring it up."

Iris frowned. "Why?"

Julian stayed silent.

It felt strange to her. As a guest, sleeping in until noon was already pushing it. Having meals delivered to the room would only make the Everhart elders think she had no sense of courtesy or boundaries.

"I'd rather eat downstairs," she said, moving toward the door.

Julian caught up in two strides, his hand gently circling her arm. "Stay. Have lunch with me. Here."

She stopped and looked at him, confused. "Give me one good reason."

He hesitated. "The Prescotts are here."

The Prescotts?

Lily's family?

Given Julian's tight expression, Lily and Arthur were probably downstairs right now.

An uneasy feeling settled in Iris' chest. She smoothed her dress subtly, forcing her voice to sound calm. "Didn't you say Lily married Arthur?"

"Yes."

"Then what's the issue? We can all have a normal meal together."

Julian's eyes darkened. He studied her, a trace of irritation in his tone. "Is that really how you feel?"

Iris nodded.

"You feel nothing at all?"

Feeling nothing would be a lie. Part of her still resented Lily. Seeing her would bother her.

But they were all adults. You didn't just say you hated someone out loud, and you couldn't act on every emotion like a child.

"How should I feel?" Iris countered.

Julian let out a low, humorless laugh, edged with disappointment.

Seeing how much he wanted to avoid Lily bothered Iris more than she expected. "You don't want to see her... because she chose Arthur over you?"

Julian's brow furrowed instantly. He stared at her as though she'd said something unbelievable—as if it were the most absurd thing he'd ever heard.

He looked up, drew a slow breath, and seemed to steady himself before meeting her eyes again. When he spoke, his voice was soft but each word was deliberate. "Iris... what are we now?"