After the Cold Marriage His Crazy Love (Iris and Julian) novel Chapter 45

apter 45 A Warm Embrace

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Finished

Ethan’s veins popped with anger. He glared at Emily and growled, “She paid for her tuition with scholarships! She was top of her class in junior high and got picked by the best high school in the country. She got into Oakridge High School on a scholarship. I only came to work here because of her! She had scholarships in college too!”

Emily put her hands on her hips. “You’re so selfless, huh? You’re her perfect brother? You only make 3,000 dollars a month, and you give her 2,000 for living expenses! Grace said so, and you’re gonna deny it?”

Ethan stamped his foot in anger, swinging his fist at the air. His eyes red, he snapped, “Iris already paid me back everything she owed! She’s married now. Why do you keep sucking her dry like a vampire?”

Emily pointed at Iris. “She’s the vampire! She ruined your future! You dropped out of junior high because of her. Now you only have an elementary school diploma, and you’re good for nothing! If it weren’t for her, you would’ve gotten into Stanford University, started a company and made millions…”

Ethan was so mad he could barely breathe. “I dropped out because I was bad at school! It had nothing to do with Iris! If I were even a little smarter, a little more capable, I never would’ve married you!”

Emily’s face turned black. She shook all over, pointing a finger right at Ethan’s nose. Her face twisted with rage, and tears finally welled in her eyes. “Say that again. I dare you.”

For their son’s sake, Ethan didn’t dare repeat it. He just bottled it up, bitter and angry.

Iris wiped her tears secretly and took a deep breath. “Ethan, Emily, we’re gonna head back now.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

She knew that no matter what she said now, it would only make their fight worse. The only way to stop it was to leave quietly and do nothing.

Julian patted Ethan’s shoulder gently. “Ethan, get some rest. We’ll contact you soon.”

Ethan’s anger faded right away. His tone softened. “Okay Drive safely. Don’t worry about us-

Julian nodded and followed Iris out.

As they closed the door, they could still hear Emily’s yelling.

Iris’s eyes were red. She stood at the door for a long time.

She heard Emily call Ethan useless and Ethan said nothing.

-we’re fine.”

Emily yelled for at least ten minutes. The whole time, she didn’t hear Ethan’s voice. By the time Emily got tired and the yelling stopped, tears were still rolling in her eyes.

It was finally quiet inside.

She closed her eyes slowly. Crystal–clear tears slid down her cheeks, like two transparent pearls, dripping off her chin.

She was drowning in sadness, not even noticing Julian standing beside her.

Julian watched her quietly, waiting.

14:39 Wed, May 6

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Chapter 45 A Warm Embrace

Finished

Iris took a deep breath, wiping the cold tears from her face. Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her, pulling her into a firmi, warm chest.

Her body stiffened. She opened her eyes wide.

All she could see was Julian’s shirt. Her nose was filled with his nice, clean scent. His sweatshirt wasn’t thin, but his warmth was burning, surrounding her completely.

Her heart raced. Every cell in her body shook. Her face heated up, her ears burned, and her whole body went weak.

Her sadness and her worries all disappeared in that moment. Her mind went blank, and she forgot how to

react.

It was the first time he’d hugged her. It felt so nervous and warm. So this was what it was like to be held by someone you loved–like all your troubles faded away, like you had someone to lean on.

His chest was warm and solid. His scent was nice and strange, but so reassuring.

Iris froze, not daring to move. She could hear a heartbeat. It was impossible to tell whether it was his or hers. It thumped like thunder, loud and strong, all jumbled up.

Julian stroked her back gently with one hand, and touched the back of her head with the other. His warm breath fanned over the top of her head, his voice soft and deep. “There’s another way to help Ethan. You can’t just give him money. It’ll hurt his pride.”

Iris’s voice was stuck in her throat. She found herself craving his warm embrace, nodding against his chest.

Her pulse raced at her fingertips. She wanted to lift her hands and hug his waist. She itched to do it, but she didn’t dare.

Julian leaned down slowly, pressing his nose to the top of her head. He closed his eyes, breathing in the flowery scent of her hair.

After a long moment, his Adam’s apple moved. His voice was hoarse and soft. “It’s late. Let’s go home.” He said it, but he didn’t let go.

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