His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 63: Divorce Talk

Hold back.

Just hold back.

Only one quick kiss. Nothing more.

But once you tried some things, they were like opium, completely addictive.

That night, he took two cold showers. With Iris lying next to him, he tossed and turned the whole night. His body burned like it was on fire. He couldn't sleep at all. Later, he headed to the living room sofa and barely got any shut-eye.

*****

At noon the next day...

When Iris woke up, her head was throbbing. She held her head, sat up, and rubbed her temples.

Being drunk sucked.

She never wanted to drink again.

Iris sighed, rubbed her eyes, and opened them. She looked at the room decor, then down at the sheets. She froze, totally shocked.

She looked down and saw her clothes had been changed. She quickly lifted the covers. Her pants were still on.

But this was scarier than a horror movie.

Why am I in Julian's bed?

Did Julian change my pajamas?

Iris covered her face, hanging her head in thought.

But she couldn't remember a thing. Her mind was blank. All she could recall was having fun with colleagues in the private room.

She drank a lot, got so drunk she felt sick, and then passed out.

Oh no! Did I make a fool of myself last night?

Julian is a clean freak. Should I wash and change his sheets for him?

Iris lifted the covers and got out of bed. She couldn't find her shoes, so she stepped barefoot on the cold floor and walked out of his room.

The sun was bright outside, making the living room warm and cozy.

Julian was wearing casual clothes, sitting lazily on the sofa, scrolling through his phone quietly.

He heard her and looked up at Iris.

Iris's heart skipped a beat. She stopped in her tracks, looking nervous like she'd done something wrong. Her ears felt hot, her heart racing. "Why'd I sleep in your room last night?"

Julian looked down, going back to his phone. "You threw up on your bed."

Iris bit her lower lip. So embarrassing!

She'd never made such a fool of herself in front of anyone, not in her whole life.

"I'm so sorry. I'll change and wash your sheets later." She walked to the entrance and slipped on her slippers.

"No need." Julian put his phone down, glancing at her. "But I threw your covers away. I bought you a new set."

"I have two extra sets in my closet."

"Already bought them."

"Thanks." Iris felt awkward and stiff. She didn't dare mention her clothes being changed.

If she did, things would get really awkward.

They were husband and wife. No need to be so petty, or so uptight.

She checked the clock on the wall. It was exactly 12 noon.

Julian asked calmly, "You wanna shower first, or eat lunch?"

He was a clean freak. He couldn't stand anyone being dirty.

Iris pulled at her pajama top. "I'll shower first."

She turned toward the room.

Right before she reached the door, she stopped, thought for a second, then turned to Julian. "It's Wednesday. Aren't you going to the office?"

"No."

"Then after I shower and eat lunch, let's go out."

Julian propped his elbow on the sofa, turning to look at her. "Where to?"

Iris said calmly, "The courthouse."

Julian's eyes turned dark. He turned away from her, his tone getting colder. "Iris, stop messing around. It's not funny."

"I'm not messing around. I'm dead serious."

"Selena's contract is terminated. We won't work with her again."

Iris clenched her fists, feeling worn out. "It's not about Selena."

Selena was just the last straw.

It was Selena today. It could be another woman tomorrow.

He always had all these drama queens hanging around him. And Lily, that so-called "best bro" who annoyed her nonstop.

She'd had enough.

He couldn't give her the security she needed. No sex, no love. She'd be better off alone.

Letting go of her first love would hurt. But she could tough it out. Over time, it would fade. She'd forget.

Julian stood up, turning to face her. His hands were in his pockets, his face dark. "Tell me why. I'll fix it."

Iris sighed softly. "You don't need to fix anything. It's not your fault."

Love wasn't a habit. He couldn't just "fix" it.

"Then stop talking about divorce." His tone was sharp, with a hint of anger.

Iris clenched her fists, biting her lower lip to hold back her anger.

So arrogant. So controlling!

Marriage is between two people. Why can't he respect my choice?

He doesn't love me. He doesn't touch me. But he still refuses to divorce me.

How can any man be like this?

Well, they do exist.

Gay men in fake marriages do this exact thing.

Iris gathered her courage, asking carefully, "Julian, are you into guys?"

Julian frowned, a faint look of shock crossing his eyes. He seemed to get her doubt. "My sexuality's fine."

"Then you..." Iris trailed off. Every time she brought this up, her ears got hot and her heart raced. She was too shy to say more.

She was 26, not a naive kid. But she'd never done anything—never even kissed someone. Talking about this stuff made her so embarrassed.

Julian walked toward her. "I'll shower with you. After that, we'll go to bed."

Iris was always uptight and shy.

Julian's words short-circuited her brain. Her face turned bright red. Her heart pounded like crazy. She was so shy she thought she'd lose it. She stepped back nervously as he got closer, her body shaking, her voice and breath all messed up.

"Julian, are you out of your mind? I... I don't wanna shower with you, and I don't wanna... sleep with you."