His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 61: Drunk and Protected

That was brutal!

Carl found Julian's number and dialed it.

The phone rang once and was answered immediately.

Before Carl could say anything, Julian's gentle voice came through. "Working overtime tonight?"

"Are you Iris's husband?" Carl asked politely.

"I am."

"She's drunk. Can you come pick her up?"

"Where?" Julian's voice turned urgent, his breath unsteady.

"Hollow Bar, 1.3 miles from our research institute. Private room 109."

"Got it."

The call ended. Carl put the phone back in Iris's bag, sat down on the sofa tiredly, and closed his eyes to rest.

Ten minutes later, the private room door slammed open. Carl jumped, opening his eyes to see who walked in.

The man was stunningly handsome, tall and muscular, with a strong presence that stuck in your mind.

Carl recognized him. He'd seen him outside the research institute once, but Iris never introduced them.

"Are you..." Carl started to say.

Julian strode over to the sofa where Iris lay, crouched down, and checked on her, his breathing a little heavy. "Her husband. Julian Everhart."

Perfect, that matched.

Carl sighed in relief. "Alright, my job's done. I'll head out."

As he walked past Julian, Julian suddenly stood up and grabbed his arm, his face dark. "Why'd you bring her to a bar to drink?"

As a guy, Carl instantly felt the anger and jealousy, both coming from worry. He hurried to explain, "Don't get me wrong. It was a company party. It's Professor Climer's birthday today. Everyone just left. I gotta go home too, or my wife will worry."

Julian let go slowly, his tone softening a little. "Thanks."

"No problem."

"Want me to give you a ride?"

"Nah, I'll get a ride-share." Carl smiled, pointing at Iris. "She really didn't drink much—just a few beers, two glasses of red wine, a little strong liquor. Never thought she'd be such a lightweight."

Julian nodded.

Carl said goodbye and left the room.

Julian stared at Iris, asleep on the sofa. His eyes were dark.

She was small and soft, her hair loose from its tie. The dim lights hit her flushed cheeks. She wore a thin white shirt, light beige pants, and white sneakers that showed her slender ankles.

She had a slim, curvy figure.

With her pretty face and attractive body, if she'd run into a bad guy tonight, she would've been in big trouble.

Julian scowled, his chest tight with anger. He walked over, bent down, and lifted her up in his arms.

She was lighter and softer than he'd imagined.

He adjusted his hold, pulling her fully against him, and strode out.

Outside the bar, he reached his car. The security guard at the door was quick to open the passenger side door.

Julian set Iris in the passenger seat, reclined the chair back, and buckled her seatbelt.

Once she was settled, he got in the driver's seat and drove off.

The drive took ten minutes.

Inside the house, he carried Iris to her room and set her on the bed.

He turned to leave, changed into slippers, set down his car keys, and locked the front door.

When he went back to Iris's room, she was gone from the bed.

He checked the bathroom.

He found Iris leaning over the toilet, throwing up. He rushed in, crouched down beside her, and patted her back gently.

"I feel so awful..." Iris slurred. Her eyes were closed, her chest heaving, her throat itchy and tight, but she couldn't throw up anything.

Julian spoke softly. "If you can't hold your liquor, drink juice next time."

"Mmm." Iris looked like a sleeping fairy—cute, her face red, and her lips pouted. She nodded obediently.

She still couldn't throw up.

Julian lifted her up, set her back on the bed, took off her shoes and socks, and pulled the covers over her.

Suddenly, Iris sat up and threw up everywhere on the bed before she could hold it back.

Julian stood there, frowning. He put his hands on his hips and sighed in frustration. "Iris, you did that on purpose."

After throwing up, Iris felt better. She fell back down.

Julian quickly pulled off the dirty covers and lifted her up. "You threw up all over this bed. Can't sleep here."

Iris mumbled, "Zoe, my head hurts. I wanna sleep."

Julian carried her into his room and set her on his bed.

Then he went to the bathroom and got a glass of warm water and an empty basin.

He supported Iris to sit up with one hand, set the basin in front of her, and held the glass to her lips, cooing softly. "Rinse your mouth."

Iris's long eyelashes fluttered. She glanced at Julian dazedly, then at the glass. "Zoe, I don't wanna drink."

"Just rinse your mouth."

"Oh." Iris obeyed, taking a sip of water. Her red cheeks puffed up, with a drop of water on her lips. She gargled, then leaned down to spit it out.

Any other person, Julian would've thought it gross. He couldn't even look at it, let alone handle it. But with Iris, he felt no disgust at all.

Julian held the glass to her lips again. "Rinse again."

"Oh."

Iris did as she was told.

"Again!"

"Mmm."

"One more time!"

Iris mumbled sleepily, "You're so annoying. It's clean now!"

He cooed softly. "Good girl, one last time."