After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 24

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex–Wife

Chapter 24 We’re Not Done Yet

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The men froze. Their faces drained of color. Uneasy glances were exchanged.

Iris saw the panic flicker behind their eyes and pressed, “So? What’s it going to be?”

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Finished

The older man hesitated. In the end, the fear of a potential outbreak–and the massive liability that came with it–was more than he could stomach.

He gritted his teeth. “You’ll be hearing from our lawyers.”

And with that, they stormed out. The staff exhaled in relief. Zoe walked over and gave Iris a huge grin, throwing both thumbs up.

But Iris didn’t smile. This wasn’t over. It was just the beginning. There was more coming. Worse, probably.

The rest of the day, things moved fast. The fire code violations? Cleared.

Tax audit? No issues.

And that lawsuit threat from the animal rights group? Total nonsense. Iris didn’t even give it a second thought.

There were still a few months left before August. If she filed the right paperwork, the government would help her relocate the lab. There was still time.

That night, the wind outside was soft. Moonlight glowed through the curtains, and the house was still.

Iris sat in the living room, fresh from a shower, her hair dry, laptop open, analyzing data.

The clock on the wall read 9:05 when the front door opened.

She looked up from her screen. Julian stepped in.

He looked drained, his expression unreadable. As he walked inside, he kicked off his shoes and pulled off his tie, eyes locked on her.

They stared at each other, each too guarded to speak. He turned and started walking toward his room. Iris stood, grabbing the contract beside her.

“Julian.”

He stopped but didn’t turn.

12:33 Tue, May 5 G

Chapter 24 We’re Not Done Yet

Finished

She walked up behind him and held out the papers. “That contract you left on the table this morning? I signed it. Your turn.”

He let out a slow breath, then turned to look at her. His gaze dropped to the document.

“Let’s put that on hold.”

Put it on hold? Iris felt her chest tighten. So this was it. The deal was off. No funding. No support.

Nothing could’ve been more humiliating.

“Alright,” she said quietly, and turned to leave.

But suddenly, his hand wrapped around her wrist.

She froze. His touch was warm. It shot straight through her skin, rattling something deep inside. She looked down at where he held her, then followed the line of his arm to his face.

He was staring at her, brows drawn together, eyes dark and unreadable. “You’re not going to ask me why?” he said.

Iris shook her head. Julian didn’t let go.

She took a breath. “You’re not someone who jokes about things like this. If you changed your mind, I’m sure you had a reason. But knowing it won’t change the outcome, will it? So why ask? Why fight?”

Julian let out a dry laugh. “You’re really low maintenance, you know that?”

She didn’t take it as a compliment. If anything, it stung.

“That why you married me?” she asked. “Because you didn’t love me, but I’d make life easier?”

His smile faded. His expression darkened, and slowly, he let go of her wrist. Iris couldn’t read him. Maybe she’d hit a nerve.

She placed the contract on the couch, voice calm. “Goodnight.”

She turned to leave… “Iris,” he said suddenly, his voice rough, almost desperate. “Can you make a drug that helps you forget? Like… choose what to forget?”

The question landed like a punch to the gut. She stood frozen for a second, then said softly, “No.”

Julian looked away. His lips pressed into a tight line.

Iris’s voice cracked, but she kept it steady. “Is there someone you’re still trying to forget?”

12:33 Tue, May 5

Chapter 24 We’re Not Done Yet

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