His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 339: A Brother's Confession

Celeste's face was turning purple under Ethan's chokehold. Her toes barely brushed the floor, and every gasp for air came in ragged, desperate pulls.

Iris rushed over and grabbed Ethan's arm, her voice shaking. "Ethan—stop! You're going to kill her!"

There was something murderous in Ethan's eyes.

Back in the day, he'd really believed love could win Celeste over. But after they got married, it didn't take long to realize she'd been using him all along.

First, she used him to hurt Iris. Then, she used him to make money. And now—she was using him to help Arden move drugs.

She'd cheated on him more times than he could count, making him look like a complete fool. If it weren't for an unfinished job he had to see through, he would've dragged her down with him long ago.

Whatever love he'd once felt for Celeste had vanished for good.

Just as Celeste was about to lose consciousness, Julian moved in. His hand clamped down on a pressure point in Ethan's wrist—hard and precise.

Ethan winced and let go. Celeste crumpled to the floor, coughing violently. Her carefully styled curls were plastered against her face, streaked with tears and sweat. Every feature twisted in pain.

Julian's voice was sharp. "If you want to kill her, take it somewhere else."

Ethan drew a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

Julian shot a cold glance at the disheveled, pitiful figure on the floor and snapped, "Get out."

Celeste's legs were weak. Clutching her bruised, reddened neck, she grabbed at the wall for support and scrambled away.

The four men stayed for dinner with Iris. After the meal, Ethan slid his chair closer to hers. Gently, he took her pale hand in his, rubbing it softly.

"Iris," he whispered, his tone tender.

Julian caught the movement. His expression darkened instantly.

Before, it wouldn't have meant a thing. But now—knowing Iris wasn't Ethan's real sister, and after hearing Celeste's accusations about Ethan's twisted feelings—it set him on edge.

He already had enough rivals. Now there was one more. It was exhausting.

Meanwhile, Iris looked down at the bank card that had suddenly appeared in her hand, then back up at Ethan.

He pressed it firmly into her palm. "Last time I tried to give you this five million, you wouldn't take it. I hope you will now. Please believe me—this money is clean. All the dirty cash never touched my hands. Celeste handled all that."

Iris gave a tight, bitter smile. She was quiet for a long moment before speaking, her voice pained. "Ethan, we're talking about five million dollars. What could you have done in three years to make that much on the up-and-up?"

Guilt flooded his eyes. "A small part is from the produce business I run with Arden—that's legitimate. The rest came through other channels I've got."

"I'm not taking it unless you tell me where it came from."

Ethan went quiet.

Iris pushed the card back toward him. "I don't want it."

"This is what I owe you," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Please, just take it, okay? These past few years, every day I worked, I kept thinking—one day I'd pay you back and give you a better life. If you don't take this, it'll all feel pointless."

Iris only shook her head, firm.

Ethan's eyes reddened. He looked down, his voice choking up. "Ever since Frank died... nothing's felt like it mattered. I thought if I married someone beautiful, talented, had a kid... maybe life would have meaning again. But who knew..."

He trailed off, looking utterly broken.

His head hung low. His shoulders shook with suppressed sobs.

Iris' heart ached. She leaned in and hugged him gently, resting her chin on his shoulder. Her arms wrapped around his back, patting softly. "Ethan, Frank's been gone for years. You can't keep living in the past. You have your whole life ahead of you."

Ethan closed his eyes, holding her tightly as he cried into her shoulder.

"Ethan," Iris whispered near his ear, "can we just turn ourselves in?"

His reply was fragile, barely there. "Little sister, I don't need to turn myself in. What I'm doing now isn't illegal. You have to believe me. Over half of that money is a reward from the police. Celeste doesn't even know it exists. Please... take it. Okay?"

His voice was so soft, but Iris heard every word.

Tears welled in her eyes. Her heart hammered in her chest—touched, flustered, doubtful, yet hoping with everything she had that he was telling the truth.

"What's going on, Ethan?" she asked, still holding him.

"It's a long story. Can I explain another time?"

"Okay."

Ethan slowly pulled back. He pressed the card firmly into her hand once more. "This kept me going. I know you're doing well now, but don't turn this down."

Iris nodded, tears in her eyes, a small smile touching her lips. "Alright. I'll hold onto it for now. But you still owe me that explanation."

Ethan's eyes were wet, too. With a tender hand, he brushed the tears from her cheeks. "I'll explain everything soon. I promise."

Across the room, Julian's expression was dark. He knocked back two straight glasses of whiskey, his gaze fixed on Iris and Ethan.

He didn't say a word, but the air around him was thick with something sour—something jealous.

It was clear to anyone looking that he was hurting. That he was jealous.