After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 What She Can’t Say

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Finished

Ethan’s eyes were red. “So what, I get married and suddenly I’m not allowed to have a sister anymore?”

Iris blinked back tears, her voice catching. “You don’t need to do anything for me. I know you

and I’m grateful. But more than anything, I just want you to be happy. I want your life to feel peaceful.”

care,

Ethan reached out and gently touched her head like he used to when they were kids. “Does Julian treat you right? Do his parents?”

Iris swallowed hard. Her throat burned. Her vision blurred. She said nothing–just nodded.

That was enough for Ethan. He smiled, satisfied. “If your husband takes care of you now, then I can finally stop worrying.”

Iris bit her lip, turned, and walked toward the turnstiles.

Just before heading in, she looked back, gave him a small wave and a forced smile.

Ethan grinned and called out, “Text me when you get home!”

Iris shook her head and waved him off. She hurried inside. The tears came faster than she

could stop them.

Emily hated her. She couldn’t even text her own brother without it causing a fight. And Julian— well, Julian had Lily, and a long line of women after her.

She didn’t dare tell Ethan. She couldn’t tell Grace.

Her life was a mess, and the only thing she knew how to do was keep going.

The night was thick with mist. Lights glowed warm inside her apartment.

Iris had showered. She was now sitting cross–legged on the floor between the coffee table and the couch, wearing soft pajamas, hair damp.

The table was covered in papers. A laptop hummed. A small printer clacked

away.

She was editing her business proposal–again.

She was great at pharmaceuticals. But pitching to investors? That felt impossible.

But it was a startup, and there was no one else to do it. So she had to. The door opened.

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Chapter 18 What She Can’t Say

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She didn’t look up. Julian was home, but she couldn’t afford to lose focus.

He kicked off his shoes, dropped his keys, closed the door. She kept typing.

She didn’t glance up until he sat down beside her on the couch. He picked up one of the she’d printed, scanned it, and let out a quiet, unimpressed breath through his nose.

pages

That alone told her everything.

Iris sighed, glanced at him, then asked, “Just be honest. Is this whole thing just for show- something to make your grandma happy? Or are you actually planning to invest?”

Julian raised an eyebrow. “Does it matter?”

“It does if we’re both busy and I’m wasting my time. If you were never serious, then I can stop working on this right now.”

He leaned back, arm resting along the back of the couch. “A company that only stays afloat with government subsidies? Barely breaking even?”

Iris winced. She had no response to that.

Julian looked at her, really looked. “With your resume? Any major pharma company would snap you up. Full benefits. Six–figure salary. Why kill yourself running a dead–end startup?”

She looked up, eyes bright. Voice soft, but steady. “You ever heard of a company that makes the vaccine first, then develops a virus it can cure–just to release it and cash in on the cure?”

Julian stared at her, saying nothing.

She went on. “You ever heard of a drug that could cure chronic illness–but it never hits the market, because only a few rich people are allowed to use it?”

His

eyes

darkened. Still, he didn’t speak.

Under his gaze, her cheeks flushed. She turned back to the laptop, muttering, “Capitalists only care about other capitalists. I don’t know why I’m even telling you this.”

He looked away, throat moving as he swallowed. Then he checked the clock. “How long do you need?”

“Half an hour.”

“I’m gonna

shower.” He stood and disappeared into the bedroom.

Iris let out a long breath, sat up straighter, and forced herself back to work. Half an hour later, Julian reappeared.

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