His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 163

Chapter 163 Lines Drawn

lian’s breathing slowed, but the warmth of it still lingered as his gaze dropped to where Iris was pre ainst his arm, her body fitting against him in a way that made it impossible to ignore her presence. hen it came to her, he had never really stood a chance.

Airight,” he said quietly, his voice rough but gentle, “we’ll do it your way.”

As Iris turned with him, she cast a quick glance over her shoulder at Lily, and the look on Lily’s face wa enough to tell her everything. It wasn’t just anger, it was the kind that sat heavy and ugly, barely contain like it could spill over at any second.

Iris had spent years avoiding conflict, believing that if she kept her head down and stayed out of trouble things would settle on their own. But all that restraint had done was invite more pressure, more interference, more calculated moves meant to corner her. Even after the divorce, Lily hadn’t backed off. anything, she had gotten bolder, weaving herself into Iris’s life in ways that felt deliberate and cruel, even dragging other people into it just to make things harder.

That kind of persistence didn’t deserve patience anymore.

If I don’t push back now, I’ll just keep getting walked over.

Across the dock, Mason stared as Julian and Iris turned back toward the yacht, his eyes lingering on the way she held onto Julian’s arm, close enough to leave no room for misunderstanding.

“I’ll take that,” Mason said quickly, stepping in to grab the luggage from Julian before heading ahead toward the yacht.

Julian glanced down at Iris as they walked. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” she admitted, her voice low but steady.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. “Then I guess I don’t mind being used.”

Up ahead, Luke leaned closer to Jenny as they stepped onto the yacht, his voice low enough to stay between them. “If you don’t want to get on your brother’s bad side, don’t start anything with fris

Jenny let out a quiet scoff, clearly unimpressed.

Selena, standing beside Caleb, watched Julian and Iris walk up together, her eyes sharp with interest. you want her, go for it,” she said casually. “She’s not off-limits anymore.

Caleb’s expre

something confident, almost reckless. I don’t lose what I go after,” he saith,

then he

following him on board.

r tone soft but deliberate “Don’t let thus get to you I know

sure she regrets showing up.

into something more focused “You’re planning to go

9:42 am PPPP.

Chapter 163 Lines Drawn

Finis

Celeste shook her head with a small smile. “Not directly. Not with Julian around. But there are other way to strip someone’s image apart.”

That was enough to ease Lily’s expression just slightly. “Good,” she said under her breath. “Then don’t me it up.”

Once everyone was on board, Mason took control at the helm, steering the yacht out into open water. The group settled across the deck, letting the sun warm their faces while the ocean breeze cut through the air with a crisp chill. Laughter came easily, conversations overlapping, the kind of relaxed atmosphere that made everything feel effortless.

Iris didn’t join them. She stood off to the side near the railing, her hands tucked into her coat pockets as she stared out over the endless stretch of water, her thoughts drifting further than the horizon.

A moment later, something warm settled over her shoulders.

She froze slightly as the weight of a coat wrapped around her, followed by a familiar, subtle scent that didn’t need explanation.

Even before she turned, she knew it was Julian.

It wasn’t cologne, nothing sharp or artificial. It was cleaner than that, softer, something like fresh laundry mixed with the natural warmth that always seemed to cling to him. It was unmistakable, and dangerously easy to lean into.

“Thanks,” she said, pulling the coat closer around herself. She lowered her gaze just enough to take a quiet breath, letting the scent settle in before she straightened again.

Julian leaned slightly to catch her expression. “Still cold?”

“No,” she said quickly, her cheeks warming as she kept her eyes on the water. “So where are we heading?

“Daniel’s island.”

That earned a small laugh from her. “Of course he owns an island. That tracks.”

Julian slid his hands into his pockets, his tone easy. “If you like it, I’ll get you one.”

She turned to look at him, amusement flickering in her eyes. “That’s funny, because I remember someone once pointing out that I never spent his money, handled everything at home, and basically saved him from hiring help.

Julian frowned slightly, caught off guard. “I said that?”

“You did,” she replied, smiling faintly. “So it’s kind of surprising to hear you offering to buy me an island

now

He let out a quiet breath, something restrained in the way his expression shifted few drinks, he admitted. Doesn’t sound like any best morcist.

probably said it after a

There was a pause before his voice

ropped, more serious now

9:42 am Pppp.

Finished

ple, how natural

ce at first? You

It turns into

He Belated cd Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife

Chapapter 164 No Way Back

The wowords stayed with her longer than she expected.

Can the that much…

Forlon a second, Iris felt like everything inside her stalled, he her tier thoughts could he he meant.

BetBefore she could respond, Lily’s voice cut in, bright and per zerfectly timed. Julian

Shy She approached with two glasses of red wine, her smile pe pionshed, controlled.

In Iris saw her coming out of the corner of her eye, and wh whatever hesitation she mi

just as quickly.

If there was ever a moment to make a statement, this was was it.

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