After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 387

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex–Wife

Chapter 387 Cold Shoulder

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Finished

“What are you even talking about?” Zoe pushed her away, turning her back to hide the tears she quickly wiped from her eyes.

Iris limped around to face her again.

Noticing her uneven steps, Zoe felt a pang of concern. “What happened to your foot?”

“I twisted my ankle yesterday. It’s still a little sore, but it’s okay,” Iris explained.

Zoe wasn’t convinced. She crouched down, reaching for the hem of Iris‘ pants. “Let me see it.”

Iris gently brushed her hand away. “Really, it’s fine. I already saw a doctor.”

“Twisting your ankle is no joke. Does it hurt? Come on, just let me check…”

Iris couldn’t help but smile. “You worry more than my husband does.”

But Zoe didn’t back down. She carefully rolled up Iris‘ pant leg and tugged down her sock, examining the ankle closely. Only when she saw no serious swelling did she finally relax.

“If you’re hurt, why did you come all the way out here?” Zoe asked, holding Iris‘ arm to support her. “You shouldn’t be driving. Who brought you? Julian?”

Iris nodded toward a sleek sedan parked a short distance away. “My husband was going to, but my brother jumped in and insisted on driving me instead.”

Zoe followed her gaze.

Her brother. Brandon.

Her heart gave an unexpected flutter. From where she stood, she couldn’t see him behind the wheel, and for some reason, her spirits dipped.

“I got your birthday text,” Zoe said softly. “Let me help you back to the car–you should head home.” She added under her breath, “If anything else happens to you while you’re with me, Julian will have my head.”

“With you and my brother both here, what could go wrong?” Iris leaned on Zoe’s arm as they made their way slowly toward the vehicle. “Besides, I brought a cake and a gift. Let’s go out for a nice dinner–my treat.”

“Eating out is too pricey. I’ll just have something at home. I’ll take the cake and the gift, though,” Zoe replied frankly, the kind of blunt honesty reserved for close friends. “There’s nothing special at my place, so I won’t ask you to stay.”

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15:27 Thu, Jun 25

Chapter 387 Cold Shoulder

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Finished

Her words left Iris with a hollow feeling.

It wasn’t that Zoe hadn’t invited her to dinner.

It was that the girl who used to treat herself to fancy meals after every paycheck, who indulged in takeout and coffee whenever she wanted, who never thought twice about buying nice clothes or bags–that girl seemed worn down by life, her spark dimmed.

That carefree, confident glow was gone.

Iris forced a playful tone. “I already bought the cake. Even if you don’t have anything fancy at home, I’m still crashing dinner. Otherwise, I’m getting the short end of the stick.”

Hearing that, Zoe let out a genuine laugh.

She could feel how hard Iris was trying to keep their friendship alive, even when Zoe felt she didn’t deserve it.

It pained her to see Iris bending over backward like this, yet it also touched her deeply.

As they neared the car, Brandon stepped out, opened the rear door, and glanced up at them.

Zoe’s eyes met his.

He wore a light beige trench coat, looking polished and relaxed. His gaze was gentle, warm like sunlight on a cold winter day. He didn’t speak, but his presence alone felt comforting.

Iris slid into the back seat, shifting over to make room.

Zoe hesitated for a few seconds, took a quiet breath, and said, “Long time no see, Dr. Whitmore.”

He didn’t acknowledge the polite greeting. Instead, his voice softened warmly. “Happy birthday, Zoe.”

A faint warmth spread in her chest. “Thank you.”

She

got

into the car, her emotions in quiet disarray.

They drove toward the older part of town.

Iris peered out the window curiously. “Zoe, since your place is being renovated, are you renting here for now?”

“No,” Zoe replied with a light smile. “I bought a small fixer–upper myself–just a few hundred thousand. My mom and I live here.”

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15:27 Thu, Jun 25

Chapter 387 Cold Shoulder

Iris looked at her with sympathy in her

eyes.

:

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Finished

Brandon’s gaze found hers in the rearview mirror. Both wore expressions of quiet concern.

Zoe hated when they looked at her like that.

So what if it was a fixer–upper?

It was her own home. She could make anywhere work.

Iris frowned. “Why choose a fixer–upper, though?”

“I didn’t want to deal with mortgage payments,” Zoe said casually. “I’d rather put every extra dollar toward paying you back.”

The car pulled onto a narrow street and parked where the navigation ended.

Zoe stepped out and helped Iris from the car.

Brandon got out too, closing his door quietly. He was holding the cake box and a wrapped gift.

Zoe walked over to him. “Dr. Whitmore, I can take those.”

“It’s all right, I’ve got them,” he said.

She exhaled softly. “Dr. Whitmore, why don’t you head home? Thank you for bringing Iris. After dinner, I’ll call a ride and make sure she gets back safely.”

It was a clear, gentle dismissal–anyone would have understood.

Brandon’s eyes dimmed slightly, and a faint, bittersweet smile touched his lips.

Iris stepped forward, taking the cake and gift from him. “You should go, Brandon.”

Brandon handed them over, then drew a small, elegant jewelry box from his coat pocket, offering it to Zoe. “This is for your birthday. I hope you like it.”

Zoe looked at the slender box in his hand–simple, classy, undoubtedly expensive. Probably a bracelet or necklace.

She didn’t take it. Her chest felt tight, and it took effort to keep her smile steady. Calmly, she said, “Dr. Whitmore, given how things are between us now, you really don’t need to give me gifts anymore.”

With that, she took the cake from Iris with one hand, wrapped her other arm around her friend, stepped around Brandon, and continued down the street without looking back.

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15:27 Thu, Jun 25

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex–Wife