His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 40: The Telepathy Game

Zoe pushed Iris forward. Iris panicked, turned a corner, and tried to hide in the crowd.

Just then, Leo and Nina walked over and grabbed her arm. "It's starting soon. Where are you going?"

Iris forced an awkward smile, yanking her arm back. "I'm not joining. You guys have fun."

Nina was super outgoing. She pulled Iris to a chair and pushed her down. "It's just for fun. The point is to participate."

Iris felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She stood up again.

Nina pushed her down once more, looking around. "Where's your husband?"

Iris sighed. She prayed Julian wouldn't show up. She wished he would leave, go far away, and maybe be gone already.

The host passed out small whiteboards and markers. "Is everyone seated? The game is about to start!"

Iris stood up to explain, "Sorry, we really aren't joining."

Nina pulled her down yet again, pointing ahead. "There's your husband!"

Iris turned around. Mason was dragging Julian over.

Julian had no clue what was going on. He looked confused as Mason pushed him to sit next to Iris.

Once Julian sat down, Iris felt hopeless. She gave up struggling, frowned, and glared at Zoe out of the corner of her eye. Ugh, you got me into this mess!

Zoe smiled brightly.

Julian looked at Iris. "What's going on?"

"A game."

"What game?"

"Telepathy."

"Huh?" Julian looked shocked.

"Exactly what it sounds like." Iris hung her head, uncapped the marker, and doodled on the whiteboard. She was nervous, awkward, and totally uncomfortable.

Just then, the host held up flowers and a medal. "This is the first-place prize—a bouquet of fresh flowers and a 'Most Loving Couple' trophy. Give it your all to win this top honor!"

Julian finally got it. His face darkened. He put down the marker and whiteboard and stood up.

The host pointed at him right away. "Bailing out? You're too proud to lose?"

Julian stared at him, his eyes cold as ice.

The host didn't care about his bad mood. He waved his hand. "Sit down! The game's already started. Love first, competition second. No matter the result, don't ruin your marriage!"

So many old classmates were watching. Iris felt so awkward. She slowly reached out, pinched the hem of Julian's pants, and pulled gently.

Julian's eyes fell on her hand.

Iris kept her head down, speaking softly. "Just write anything. It's fine if we're last."

After a few seconds of silence, Julian picked up the whiteboard and marker from the chair and sat back down.

"You're acting weird today," Julian said lightly, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

Yeah, no kidding!

How could she not be weird? She'd never gone to a class reunion before, let alone been forced into a stupid game like this.

This was so not like her.

The host spoke excitedly. "Game on! First question—easy one. What's your wedding anniversary? Couples, write your dating anniversary."

Both Julian and Iris wrote "May 1" on their whiteboards.

All ten couples held up their answers. The whole crowd clapped.

The host said, "Perfect! All ten teams got it right. Second question—guys, listen up. What's your partner's favorite flower?"

Iris wrote: night-blooming cereus.

She figured Julian would never know. She'd never told anyone her favorite flower—not even her family or best friend. And you couldn't even buy it in stores.

Julian held up his board: night-blooming cereus.

Iris snuck a glance. Her heart tightened. She stared at him, confused.

How did he guess that?

Half the contestants got it wrong.

The host tallied the scores and said, "Third question—guys, what's your partner's favorite color?"

Iris wrote: apricot white.

Julian wrote: apricot white.

Iris looked at his answer, her stomach turning. Julian knew her better than she thought.

Zoe, watching from the crowd, was stunned. Apricot or white—you could guess that. But apricot white? It was so specific. She even wondered if Julian and Iris had cheated and practiced the answers.

The host looked a little shy. "Guys, next question. How many days is your partner's period?"

Iris wrote: six days.

Julian wrote: six.

Iris saw his answer. Her heart raced, her ears burning. A question that seemed normal to other couples felt totally weird to her.

He should've gotten it wrong. That would make sense.

But Julian got it right again. She got goosebumps, even more confused.

Zoe covered her mouth in shock.

The host summed up. "Right now, the only teams with perfect scores are Leo and Julian."

Leo grinned, glancing at Julian. "I'm determined to win that prize!"

Julian ignored him, calm as ever. He never even looked at Iris's whiteboard.

He listened to the questions calmly, writing, erasing, writing again.

The host said excitedly, "There's only one prize—we need a winner! Guys, next question. What's your partner's biggest fear in terms of animals?"

Iris and Julian both wrote: snakes.

Leo and Nina got the same answer too.

Their scores were tied again, leading the pack.

Nina put her hands together, silently begging Iris.