His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 78: New Opportunities

"I'm seriously turning you down too," Iris said.

Zoe followed right behind them.

Iris led him to the door, gesturing for him to leave. "Please don't come to my company again."

Caleb raised an eyebrow and licked his lips, looking a little cocky. He tilted his head back and took a deep breath, looking both annoyed and resentful. After a moment, he stepped up to Iris, lowering his voice. "Iris, when are you gonna divorce Julian?"

Zoe heard him faintly, putting her hands on her hips. So he had a thing for Iris! She muttered under her breath, "Creep."

Iris held back her anger. "Why would I divorce him?"

Caleb moved closer. Iris stepped back quickly.

He kept advancing, slow and steady, a playful glint in his eyes. "I never got it before. You're so beautiful, so nice. Why doesn't Julian like you? Why's he so distant and cold? Then I found out his sick little secrets. Now I'm sure—he's never touched you. Iris, you can't stand a marriage without sex. Leave him and be with me."

Iris stared at him, shocked. He backed her up against the wall. Her chest felt crushed under a boulder, making it hard to breathe. She asked nervously, "What sick secrets?"

Caleb leaned one hand against the wall, looking down at her. "You don't need to know what they are. Either way, he'll never touch you. You should get out of this marriage soon. Give me a chance. I have everything Julian has. If you want me to be as mature and steady as him, I'll quit messing around. I'll come help you or take over the family business."

Iris's scalp went numb. So Julian never touched her, not just because he didn't love her; there was another reason.

Her heart ached, her nose stinging.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them back. "Tell me. What secret is he hiding? If you tell me, I'll divorce him."

Caleb narrowed his eyes, thinking for a second. He shook his head. "You can't know. If you do, you won't want to leave him."

"Why wouldn't I? That doesn't make sense."

"Iris, cut the crap. It's not fun."

So shameless!

Iris turned to leave.

Caleb put his other hand against the wall, trapping her between his arms.

Iris froze, pressing herself against the wall. She clenched her fists, her voice sharp with anger. "Let me go."

"Iris, I don't wanna be rough with you. I've been waiting for you. Don't make me wait too long. I..." Before Caleb could finish, Zoe slammed a hand into his chest—hard and fast. He stumbled sideways, almost falling.

Iris rushed behind Zoe, staring at Caleb warily.

Zoe put her hands on her hips, yelling through gritted teeth, "You're just like Julian! Both of you need to get your heads checked. You two are nuts!"

With that, she pulled Iris around and walked back inside.

Caleb narrowed his cold eyes, staring at Zoe's back. He scoffed.

Back in the office, Iris was in a daze. She sat at her desk, her mind racing.

Zoe patted her shoulder and sat next to her. "You okay?"

Iris pressed her lips together, her voice sad. "Zoe, am I being stupidly in love?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Just one hand-hold from Julian, and I'm so happy. I think our marriage still has a chance. I keep hoping even when I'm disappointed... then picking myself back up."

Zoe stroked her hair, her eyes full of sympathy. "If there was any hope, who'd want a divorce? Your feelings are normal."

Iris sighed, hanging her head to calm down.

Yeah. If marriage was happy, who'd want to be single?

Just then, Iris's phone rang.

She pulled it out of her pocket. Seeing Julian's name on the screen, she hesitated for a second before answering and putting it to her ear.

Julian's voice was a little deep. "Iris, I'm taking you to meet some hospital directors. Grab your stuff and come out. I'm waiting at the door."

"Okay." Iris pushed her worries aside, hung up, and started packing.

Zoe asked nervously, "What's going on?"

"Julian's taking me to talk business." Iris grabbed her bag and stuffed a stack of useful documents inside.

Zoe pumped her fist, cheering. "You got this!"

Iris smiled widely and hurried out.

She walked out of the research institute.

Different from usual, Julian was standing outside the car, waiting for her.

The sun was bright at three in the afternoon. He wore a light gray suit, looking gentle, noble, and calm. A soft smile played on his handsome face.

Even after two years of marriage, seeing him still made her heart race.

"Let's go," Iris said, walking up to him and looking up.

She liked him, but Caleb's words lingered in her mind, planting a seed of doubt.

If it was a sick secret, he'd never tell anyone—least of all her.

Asking would be useless.

Julian opened the passenger door for her. "We're meeting a lot of people tonight, but I'm here. Don't be nervous. And don't drink any alcohol either."

"Okay." Iris nodded, feeling a little nervous.

The government supported her new research, but the company's operations and profits depended on her own hard work.