His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 64: An Unexpected Phone Call

After saying that, Iris spun around and bolted to her room. She slammed the door shut and locked it tight.

She leaned against the door, pressing her hands to her burning cheeks. She was hot, embarrassed, and totally ticked off!

Outside the door, Julian was just as worked up.

He walked out to the balcony, propped one hand on the window frame, hung his head, and let out a deep breath.

After thinking for a minute, he headed back to Iris's door.

He knocked.

Iris jumped, spinning around to hold the door shut. "Julian, I said no!"

She wanted pleasure that came naturally, after falling in love for real. Not some direct, rough release of desire.

Skip all the little things—holding hands, hugging, kissing—and jump straight to showering and sleeping together?

She couldn't accept it!

Just then, Julian's voice came from outside.

"Iris, every time you bring up divorce, it sounds like you wanna sleep with me. Do it again, and hiding won't help."

Iris was totally dumbfounded!

She was so annoyed and shocked that she couldn't get a single word out.

She heard a door close next door, faint but clear. Only then did Iris relax, covering her hot cheeks and grabbing clothes to shower.

She'd already made up her mind to divorce Julian.

She never thought he'd react this strongly. His refusal to divorce surprised her and confused her too.

She didn't think she was stupid. She had a good head on her shoulders. But she could never figure Julian out. She had no clue what he was thinking.

In the shower, she stood under warm water. The bathroom was steamy and cozy. The warm water poured over her head, and she closed her eyes to soak it in.

In that moment, her mind was full of Julian. Her body felt empty, somehow.

His words had been so teasing.

They stuck in her head.

She got hotter and hotter. She had no choice but to turn the water all the way cold to sober herself up.

After her shower, Iris dried her hair, put on casual clothes, grabbed her bag, and left her room.

Julian was gone from the living room.

She set her bag down and sat at the dining table.

There was a plate of pasta waiting for her. It tasted really good.

His cooking skills had definitely gotten better.

Iris finished the pasta, washed the dishes, grabbed her bag, and headed to work.

She didn't dare bring up the divorce anytime soon. She was scared he'd lose his temper.

Noon rolled around.

Iris got back to the company, and it was payday—perfect timing.

As soon as she got her paycheck, she called Ethan—she made sure it was when he'd be at work.

Ethan answered in a good mood, "Iris, not busy today? What's up?"

"Not too busy. I just got my paycheck. I wanna help you pay off some of your bank debt."

"No way. I ain't taking your money."

"Ethan, credit cards and online loans charge interest. I'll pay as much as I can. When you make money later, you can pay me back."

"Really, don't. I'll pay off the debt soon."

"Two million dollars? How the hell can you pay that off soon?"

"I got a buddy helping me with a business. I rented a big warehouse and bought a ton of good, cheap fruit from orchards. Now I deliver it to companies, hotels, and supermarkets. Just one big order from my buddy got me over a hundred grand.

"I'm not lying... I gotta go talk to Mr. Vinson about a partnership now. My buddy introduced him too."

Iris was shocked.

Ethan can do business?

It had been ages since they'd talked, and he'd already made it this big?

"Who's this buddy helping you? Do I know him?"

"Yea... no. I'll take you to my warehouse later, and you'll see how big my business is now."

"I gotta tell you something."

"What's up? Shoot."

"When you make money, don't give it all to Emily. Keep some for emergencies."

Ethan sighed deeply, unable to say what was really bothering him.

It wasn't that he didn't want to keep some. If Emily found out, she'd cry, throw a fit, and threaten to kill herself. She'd call him cheap and selfish, and say he didn't care about the family or treat her like a wife.

Ethan thought for a minute. "Iris, what if I save it with you instead?"

Iris panicked. "No way! If Emily finds out, she'll kill me!"

Ethan felt awful.

Their dad was a gambler; he couldn't give it to him.

Their mom loved to show off and buy health supplements. She was even easier to trick and scam than Emily.

"Once I pay off the debt and make more money, I'll ask my buddy to teach me about investing. Emily doesn't get that stuff. That way, we can avoid a lot of risks."

Iris felt relieved. Ethan seemed different now. "When you get a chance, introduce me to your buddy. I wanna thank him properly."

"Nah, he doesn't wanna meet you." Ethan blurted it out before he could stop himself, then realized he'd messed up.

Iris was stunned.

Ethan hurried to say, "I'm busy. Talk to you later."

Then he hung up.

Iris smiled helplessly and put her phone away. Knowing Ethan's problem was sorted lifted a huge weight off her chest.

Evening came, and the sky was filled with pink and orange clouds.

Zoe linked arms with Iris, and they strolled slowly on their way home from work.