His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 319: What Are We Now?

Iris dropped her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

The truth was, she didn't know the answer herself.

Julian's temper flared. "Tell me."

Her mind was spinning, and her voice came out thin. "I don't know."

He took her other arm, pulling her close against his chest. From just inches away, he studied her troubled expression and spoke slowly, each word deliberate. "You'll sleep with me, but you don't know what this is?"

A sharp ache spread inside her. She lifted her eyes to his, now dark with anger. "You made it sound like you just needed to... take the edge off."

"Take the edge off?" Julian let out a cold, bitter laugh. His eyes reddened. "You think I don't have other options? That I can't take care of myself? Why would I come to you just for that?"

She had no reply. Her heart felt tangled, messy.

His voice lowered, edged with disappointment. "Iris, haven't you noticed how careful I am with you in bed? How much I try to make it good for you? It's never just about me."

Hurt and defensiveness rose in her throat. "You said, 'Let me handle it'. What was I supposed to think?"

"If I hadn't put it that way, would you have let me near you?"

Heat rushed from her ears down her neck—a mix of shame, sadness, and confusion. Maybe she had misunderstood him. But his mixed signals had left her feeling lost, unsure of where they stood.

Their breaths mingled in the quiet room. The air between them grew thick, charged with a tension neither could name. They held each other's gaze, both caught in the same unspoken ache.

After a moment, Iris swallowed. "Julian... don't you hate me?"

A bitter smile touched his lips. His eyes glistened, warm and intense. "Of course I hate you. How could I not? I begged you to stay, but you filed for divorce. Even when you were carrying our child, you left. You stayed away three years and left me here missing you, hurting alone. Yeah, I hate you."

"Then why do you still... want me?" Her voice wavered.

Julian looked straight at her. "What comes before hate?"

Iris lowered her head. A dull, heavy pain settled in her chest.

She knew, without him saying it.

When you love someone that much and they walk away, hate doesn't come first.

A long quiet passed before she whispered, "Do you still love me now?"

He gave a humorless chuckle. "You don't love me. You don't want to marry me. Does it even matter what I feel?"

He was right.

His father was against them. She had no plans to remarry. What was the point in asking?

Not wanting to tread further into that territory, Iris circled back. "Then why were you so worried about seeing Lily?"

Julian's mouth tightened. He released her shoulders and took half a step back, studying her with a pained expression. "I didn't want you to feel awkward around them. I was afraid you'd be uncomfortable—or that they'd say something to upset you. So I thought keeping us out of sight was better. But I guess I overdid it. You're not even jealous. Because you just don't care."

Iris slowly fisted the fabric of her dress. "That's not—"

"Fine. If it doesn't bother you, we can go down and have lunch with the Prescotts." He turned to leave.

Iris quickly caught his hand. "Julian, wait."

He stopped, his back still to her.

"I really don't want to face them right now. Can't we just eat up here?"

Julian exhaled slowly, weariness washing over him.

Iris tightened her grip on his hand, moved around to face him, and stepped close. She looked up, her eyes soft and pleading. "Then tell me... what am I to you?"

Julian gazed down into those eyes that always undid him. He took in her face—beautiful, heartbreaking, impossible to resist. "You're the mother of my daughter. Family. The woman I share a bed with. My lover. My ex-wife who never really left. Remarry me, and you'll be my wife. You pick the label, Iris. Any of them fit."

Iris hesitated, torn. She stayed silent.

His kiss was gentle at first, like a whisper. "I'm not asking for much. Just don't leave again."

She closed her eyes and let herself fall into it.

A knock sounded at the door. The housekeeper's voice followed. "Mr. Everhart, lunch is served."

Iris went still, her heart hammering. She didn't pull away, her face burning.

Julian broke the kiss, resting his forehead against her neck. His breathing was uneven, voice low and rough. "Take it back down. We're not coming."

"Of course," the housekeeper replied warmly, without another question. Her footsteps retreated down the stairs.

Iris hid her face against his chest. "We're not eating? Aren't you hungry?"

"I need you first," he murmured. "Then I'll take you into town for a proper meal."

Iris didn't argue.

*****

Downstairs at the dining table, everyone watched as the housekeeper returned with the untouched plates.

Beatrice glanced up. "Are they not joining us?"

The older woman offered a knowing, gentle smile. "They seem... occupied at the moment. I'll keep everything warm."

Beatrice nodded softly. "That's fine. Thank you."

Frederick let out a dismissive snort. "They're not newlyweds. Skipping a meal at this hour..." He shook his head, though there was no real bite in his tone.