His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 53: A Warm Gesture

"Iris, I'll only take care of Julian's life. I'll never disturb you."

Iris didn't hold back. "Just seeing you upsets me."

Lily forced a helpless smile. "Aww, you're not jealous of me, are you? Julian and I have known each other for over twenty years. If anything were gonna happen between us, it would've happened long ago. You wouldn't even be here."

"That's not an excuse to butt into our private lives."

Lily shrugged it off. "Julian already agreed. If you don't want to see me, I can come over after you go to work next time."

Julian agreed?

Iris clenched her fist slightly, her nails digging into her palm. She held back her words, her heart stinging.

Lily went on. "I might have to come to your house a lot—drop off documents, hand in reports for Julian. We'll run into each other sometimes. I hope you won't be so petty."

Iris pushed down the sour feeling in her chest, speaking calmly. "Why don't you just move in?"

Lily looked shocked, a smile spreading across her face. "Really? Can I?"

"Sure. You can take my room." Iris cleaned up the table slowly. "I'll move to the lab."

Lily panicked a little. "Iris, you're joking."

"I'm not joking. I mean it." Iris said that, then picked up the plates and walked into the kitchen. She threw the plates and leftover eggs into the sink.

She didn't clean them up. She turned around, grabbed her bag from the sofa, and walked out.

After leaving the house and getting in the elevator, her eyes watered.

Her failing marriage, busy work, and studies had long worn her out.

Now with Lily showing up too, she was so tired. She didn't know how much longer she could hold on.

In the living room...

Lily stood with her hands behind her back, strolling out to the balcony. She stood there, looking up at the sun, feeling delighted.

A few minutes later, Julian walked out of his room, went into the kitchen, and poured a glass of ice water.

His eyes fell on the sink.

Suddenly, he walked quickly out of the kitchen, looking around. When he saw Lily on the balcony, his expression turned dark. He asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"

Lily heard him and walked in happily. "Mr. Everhart, your new secretary is here to report for duty."

Julian's grip on the glass tightened slightly, veins showing on the back of his hand. His tone was icy. "I warned you last time. Did you just ignore me?"

"I'm your secretary now—it's different." Lily walked up to him, hands behind her back, speaking in a coquettish tone. "Besides, Iris doesn't mind. Why do you?"

Julian scoffed.

If Iris didn't mind, she wouldn't have left without finishing her breakfast or cleaning the dishes.

"Lily, I really don't understand you anymore. You lie without even blinking." Julian walked to the table, stuffed all the breakfast she'd brought into the bag, turned around, and threw it into Lily's arms. He ordered sharply, "Get out."

Lily hugged the bag, stamping her foot in anger. "I'm not leaving!"

Julian's face turned cold. He grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the door.

Lily struggled, shouting, "Julian! We grew up together—we're best friends! I'm younger than you, practically your little sister! And now I'm your secretary! In every way, I'm your closest friend! How can you treat me like this?

"Just because Iris might get mad, you won't even let me in the door? You're choosing a girl over your friends! You're heartless! You..."

The door opened. Julian threw her outside and slammed the door shut hard.

In the office...

Iris rested her chin in her hand, staring at the computer screen, her eyes empty and unfocused.

Zoe walked over, glanced at the molecular structure image on the screen, and then at her blank face.

"Iris, why are you daydreaming so early in the morning?" Zoe asked.

Iris snapped back to reality, hung her head guiltily, hurried to tidy up her desk, and then clicked the mouse, staring at the computer.

Zoe propped one hand on the desk. "You've been off since yesterday."

"I'm fine." Iris's voice was soft.

Just then, her phone rang.

Iris picked up her phone, stared at the screen, and froze.

Zoe glanced at the caller ID: Julian. She answered it without asking, sliding her finger across the screen.

Iris jumped, frowning at her. Unbelievable!

Zoe smiled, winked, and walked away quickly.

Iris put the phone to her ear. "What do you want?"

Julian said, "Come outside. I'm at the gate."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Iris hung up and walked out of the lab.

The car was parked by the road. Julian didn't get out.

When Iris walked over, the window rolled down. Julian held out a brown paper bag.

Iris looked confused, took it, and peeked inside—two boiled eggs and a glass of fresh orange juice. She could feel the warmth of the eggs through the bag.

The dark mood in Iris's heart lifted, and a warm feeling spread through her body.

Julian spoke softly. "If Lily comes again, don't open the door."

She'd been upset with Lily earlier and had misunderstood him. Iris nodded, a hint of guilt welling up in her heart.

She never asked about his business, but the eggs were warm and the juice was fresh. She worked up the courage to ask, "Is Lily really your secretary?"