His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187 The Breaking Point

The hospital bills for Keith had been piling up for months, each statement more suffocati than the last, and Ethan’s debt wasn’t any better, numbers stacked so high they barely felt anymore. Every obligation hanging over her family was massive, the kind that could crush person without warning.

A cold wave surged up from Iris’s feet, spreading through her body until it settled deep in h chest, hollowing everything out. Her fingers curled into tight fists, trembling slightly, while h eyes burned red with restrained emotion.

“I won’t ruin your perfect holiday dinner,” she said, her voice hoarse, thick with something she refused to let spill over. Without waiting for anyone to respond, she turned and headed straigh for the door.

Keith shot up from his seat, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. “Get back here!” he barked. “Your mother didn’t say anything wrong. What makes you think you can walk out like that?”

Ethan hurried after her and caught up just as she reached the door, grabbing her arm with urgency. “Iris, don’t take this so hard,” he said, lowering his voice as if that would make it easier to swallow. “You know how they are. I get that you’re upset, I really do, but we’re the younger ones here. Sometimes you just have to let things go. Come back, apologize, and promise you’ll stay away from Caleb. Then we can move on from this.”

Iris looked at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears, her throat tight and burning as she forced the words out. “They said I was sleeping around with Caleb. I told them that’s not true. So tell me, Ethan, who do you believe?”

Ethan hesitated, but not for long. “Celeste wouldn’t lie to me,” he said, almost automatically. “And Selena said the same thing about you two, so—”

He didn’t get any further.

in one sharp motion and stepped back, the last of her patience An’t argue, didn’t defend herself again, and didn’t look at him another

and walked out, her pace steady and final.

out Celeste quickly stepped in and caught his arm. “Ethan, you know

said, her tone soft but dismissive. “If you go after her now, you’re just ther cool off and think about what she’s done.”

ce’s voice cut through the air, loud and irritated. “Exactly. Leave her alone. It’s e’s dragging everyone’s mood down. Honestly, it’s bad luck having her act like

ery word clearly, along with the heavy sound of the door shutting behind her.

9:41 Mon, Jun 1

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9

Chapter 187 The Breaking Point

She wiped at her tears as she stepped into the elevator, her reflection staring back at her in silence.

Outside, the night air hit her immediately, sharp and biting. She walked without direction, steps carrying her farther and farther from the only place she technically had to call home.

The cold seeped through her coat, but it barely registered compared to the ache inside her chest, as if something had been carved out, leaving behind an open wound that wouldn’t stop bleeding.

Her phone and luggage were still on the island.

She didn’t have any cash on her.

Nowhere to go.

Nowhere to stay.

The realization settled in slowly but hit just as hard.

After a divorce, “home” stops existing.

The wind pushed against her, drying the tears on her cheeks only for more to replace them. Her skin stung from the cold, her vision blurring as lights stretched and smeared across her line of sight.

By the time night fully set in, the streets had grown quiet, most people already inside, gathered with their families, celebrating New Year over dinner and laughter. Warm light spilled from windows, carrying a sense of belonging she could feel but no longer touch.

She was the only one left outside of it.

Alone

sedan pulled up slowly behind her and stopped just ahead.

faltering as she turned.

out and approached her with polite professionalism. “Miss Whitlow, sorry evening. Mr. Everhart would like to speak with you for a moment.”

red to the backseat.

lowered, revealing Frederick’s profile, sharp and composed, his presence as

sever.

ths since she had last seen him.

M

9:41 Mon, Jun 1

Chapter 187 The Breaking Point

And on a night like this, he had come in person.

This wasn’t casual.

e,” the driver said, gesturing toward the car.

t out a slow breath, already understanding what this was about. Without resisting, she ed around and got into the car.

he driver remained outside, gi

Inside, the air felt heavy, al immediately, his posture calculated and controlled

Iris broke the silence f

Frederick didn’t was

“Two hundred r

Iris looked

more bitt

“Must

em privacy.

ing

under Frederick’s silent authority. He didn’t speak ession unreadable, as though everything about him wa

ou need, Mr. Everhart?”

led out

check and held it out toward her.

atly. “Stay away from my sons.”

es tracing the number before a faint, restrained smile appeared.

tly. “To treat that kind of money like it’s nothing.”

something you get to marry into,” Frederick replied coldly. “You’re been the end of it. Julian will marry Lily. Caleb’s future is already ever you’re thinking, stop.”

morless laugh, exhaustion weighing down every word she didn’t say

on of marrying anyone again.

ow, in everyone else’s version of the story, she was the one chasing, the one go, the one trying to hold onto something that was never hers to begin with.

lity, she had been the on

ederick said, his pa

it up, her fing

it, over and over again.

k onto her lap.

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