After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165 The Bonfire Setup

By the time the yacht pulled up to the dock, the sky had already started dimming into early evening everyone made their way off one after another, stretching their legs after the ride.

Daniel’s islan luxury tra blue v

n’t particularly large, but it didn’t need to be. The place felt like something out of a ine, a modern villa tucked between dense greenery, with uninterrupted views of

around the shoreline.

gered at the back of the group, walking side by side without speaking, while ahead of d her steps just enough to keep glancing back. The look in her eyes wasn’t subtle. Jealo ettled in, sharp and restless.

oticed it immediately and leane

ering her voice. “Relax. You’re not losing tonight. J

et out a quiet, humorless laugh

side the villa, Daniel slipped e Rooms are all set, so go ahead Bonfire, tents, the whole thin

The mood lifted instantl

Iris stepped into h designed, with so reflected the fa

Daniel reall

She un

be right.”

mode, clapping his hands once to get everyone’s attention. rtable. We’re heading out to the east beach later tonight. out there and catch the sunrise in the morning. It’s worth it.”

ttered toward their rooms.

moment, taking it in. The space felt warm and thoughtfully e window that opened straight out toward the ocean. The water ting waves.

aded into the bathroom to freshen up.

e stepped back out, pulling on a down jacket before heading toward the stairs, beach before the bonfire started.

e landing when laughter drifted up from below.

w Lily, Celeste, Selena, and Jenny gathered in the living room, sprawled comfortabl early deep in conversation.

st to notice her. Her expression shifted instantly, something mocking flickering across he ed her voice just enough to carry.

fice how some people just don’t know when to let go?” she said casually. Like, already

still hanging around their ex like there’s unfinished business. It’s kind of embarrassing

“Some people just

dn’t miss a beat. ike nothing happened”

d for the briefest seco

he continued de

reality. They think they can just walk bar k

Cook at then

without hesitatio

9:43 am P p pp.

Chapter 165 The Bonfire Setup

* Finished

“Funny,” she said lightly, her tone calm but cutting, “I always thought the embarrassing part was refusing to take a hint after someone cuts you off, or getting this invested in a life that has nothing to do with you.”

By the time she finished speaking, she was already at the door.

She didn’t wait for a response, didn’t even glance back.

The silence she left behind hit harder than anything she could’ve said.

On the couch, the mood shifted instantly. Lily’s fingers curled into her palm, her jaw tightening, while Jenny and Celeste exchanged looks, irritation written all over their faces.

It wasn’t just what Iris said.

It was how little she cared.

That kind of distance made it impossible to push back, and that, more than anything, got under their skin.

By nightfall, the beach had been transformed.

A row of tents stood just beyond the sandline, while a bonfire crackled at the center of it all, flames rising high enough to cut through the chill in the air. The heat spread quickly, warming the group as they gathered around.

Off to one side, a grill had been set up, and Mason and Daniel had taken over, flipping skewers and passing food around like they’d done it a hundred times before.

A long table nearby was already packed with drinks and plates of food.

Julian stayed by the grill a little longer than the others, carefully turning a few skewers before finally walking them over to Iris.

“Here,” he said, handing them to her.

“Thanks,” she replied, taking them without hesitation.

Across the fire, Lily watched the exchange more than she watched anything else, her gaze lingering just a second too long each time.

Celeste leaned in again, her voice low but certain. “It’s coming”

Lily’s lips curved slightly. “It better.”

The night had settled into an easy rhythm when Celeste suddenly stood, brushing sand from her hands

she smiled at the group.

“Okay, we’re not ending this night without a game.” she said. “And not something boring cuber.

That got everyone’s

tention

We’re calling this one “No Mercy, she conuimed, dearly enjoying herself. We draw sticks. Short stick loses. If you lose, you either drink something we’re about to make or you spill something real about

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Chapter 165 The Bonfire Setup

someone we choose. And not just anything, it has to be bad enough to count.”

Jenny leaned forward, instantly interested. “Define ‘real.”

Finished

Celeste grinned. “Something embarrassing. Something they wouldn’t want out there. If it’s weak, you still drink.”

“That’s evil,” Jenny said, already laughing. “I love it.”

Mason immediately jumped in, grabbing a large cup of watermelon juice as a base, then hauling over a pile of random ingredients. He walked around, making each person add something in.

Hot sauce. Soy sauce. Mustard. Vinegar. Barbecue sauce. Sour powder. Even a bitter herbal mix someone found in the kitchen.

When it got to Iris, she added a splash of bottled water, which earned a few laughs.

By the time it was done, the drink looked borderline toxic, thick and murky in a way that made it impossible to take seriously.

Even the smell was enough to make people hesitate.

Iris glanced at it briefly, her expression tightening just a fraction.

Yeah, this isn’t random.

She didn’t need to guess who this was aimed

The game started. Celeste went first.

She reached in, pulled a stick, and flipped it over. The reaction was immediate.

“No way,” Jenny laughed. “Alright, what’s it gonna be? Drink or dirt?”

Celeste hesitated just long enough to sell it, then sighed. “Fine. I’ll talk.”

Jenny didn’t even pause before pointing straight at Iris. “Her. We want hers.”

And just like that, every eye turned.

434

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife