After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Don’t Pretend It Doesn’t Hurt

Finished

“No, thanks,” Iris said, stepping to the back of the car, pretending to check her phone for a rideshare. She scrolled quickly.

The app gave her a quote: 85 bucks.

Her heart sank. Just then, a sleek motorcycle pulled up and stopped right in front of her.

The rider pulled off his helmet, revealing a familiar smirk and casually tousled hair. His eyes lit up with surprise.

“Iris? What are you doing here?”

Her heart skipped. It was Caleb. “Grandma’s in town. I came to see her.”

“Where you headed? I’ll take you.” Caleb handed her an extra helmet.

She hesitated.

She knew the boundaries she shouldn’t cross. Caleb had always made his interest painfully obvious, and she’d done her best to stay distant.

But the image of Julian and Lily, always side by side, hit her like a bruise that wouldn’t fade.

If he could parade his relationships around without shame, why was she the only one expected to suffer in silence?

She reached for the helmet. “Can you just take me to the station?”

Caleb’s grin widened. “Of course.”

Iris climbed on. As the bike roared to life, they rode straight past Julian’s car.

Inside, Julian’s expression turned dark. His eyes followed the motorcycle, his jaw tight, knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.

Lily frowned. “Does she seriously not see that Caleb’s into her? She’d rather ride off with him than let you take her? She’s not even trying to hide it anymore.”

Julian didn’t answer. He slammed the gas, the car surging forward to overtake them.

Iris rushed up four flights of stairs to Building A, Unit 3 at Rosefield Court Apartments.

Even before she reached the door, she could hear the yelling inside.

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12:30 Tue, May 5 .

Chapter 16 Don’t Pretend It Doesn’t Hurt

Finished

“You’re a loser! That’s what you are–a complete, useless loser! I’ve wasted years of my life with you. My best friend’s husband just bought her a luxury SUV, and what do I get? A junky electric car from ten years ago! And I’m still climbing four flights every day while she’s living in a downtown condo with an elevator! I can’t even afford a new bag. This one? Out of style three seasons ago! But sure, you’ve got money to buy your precious little sister a gift? You care so much? Go live with her then! I’m done playing house with you!”

Iris took a long breath and rang the doorbell.

The door opened. Her brother, Ethan, stood there, looking worn down and lost. When he saw her, he stiffened.

“Iris? What are you doing here?”

From inside, a door slammed, hard. BAM! The walls shook.

Ethan winced and stepped out quickly, pulling the door half–shut behind him. “Go home. I’ll visit you soon.”

He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Her heart clenched.

“Mom called,” she said. “Said Emily was screaming again. Said she’s threatening to leave.”

Ethan tried to play it off. “Mom exaggerates. You’ve got enough on your plate. Don’t worry

about me.”

From inside, their mother’s voice shouted, “Is that your sister? Good. She better fix this mess! If you two end up divorced, I’m holding her responsible!”

Ethan frowned and turned to go back inside. Before he could close the door, Emily hurled a vase at the hallway.

CRASH. It shattered instantly. The three of them froze.

Ethan stared at the broken pieces. That vase–he’d saved up and made it by hand for Iris’s birthday, weeks late but heartfelt. And now it was just shards.

Even his patience cracked.

His voice roared down the hall. “Emily! Divorce me. I dare you. One of us has to say it!”

Their mother grabbed his arm in panic. “Are you crazy? What about your son? Think of your kid!”

Ethan’s eyes brimmed with angry tears. “She screams at me every day. Says I’m worthless, broke, lazy. So what if the apartment’s small or the car’s old? I just wanted to make something nice for Iris. Spent eighty dollars on that vase, and she smashed it without even blinking!”

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