His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 267

Chapter 267 The Lab

Julian’s lips curved into a faint smile as he gave a nod.

“Ms. Whitlow seems very fond of the wisteria in the back garden. I believe the rooms on the second floor would offer her the best view.”

“Alright,” Julian replied. “Take her luggage upstairs-the room next to mine.”

“Understood.” Freya said, heading into the kitchen with the groceries.

Iris was seated at the dining table, finishing her breakfast.

As Julian approached and reached to pull out a chair, Iris kept her eyes fixed on her plate and muttered irritably, “Do you mind? You’re killing my appetite.”

Julian’s hand stilled on the chairback for a few seconds. Pressing his lips together, he gently pushed the chair back in. “Okay. Take your time.”

His voice softened. “I’ll be in the study if you need me. Just call.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Iris glanced up, watching his retreating figure. An uneasy tightness settled in her chest.

She couldn’t stand Julian like this-acting all gentle and considerate, yet doing things that left her feeling resentful and trapped.

Here was a man known for his decisiveness in business, but around her he’d started acting like a guilty child who didn’t know how to make things right.

After breakfast, Iris wandered out into the garden. She eyed the eight-foot-high walls and the securely locked iron gate, then let go of any thought of trying to leave. –

Back inside, she took a slow walk through the villa.

There was a home theater, a game room, an indoor pool, a fully equipped gym-pretty much everything you could want.

None of it really caught her interest, though she did wonder what kind

The door to the study was slightly ajar.

After a brief hesitation, Iris pushed it

Julian was behind the desk,

immediately. The wearine

books might be in the study.

at his laptop screen. At the sound of the door, he looked up his face vanished, replaced by a hopeful, attentive expression.

“Did you need something?” He closed the laptop and stood.

Iris stepped inside, her gaze drifting over the neatly organized bookshelves.

One section in particular stood out –

it was filled with books on prenatal care and parenting. Some were still

O

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Chapter 267 The Lab

sealed in plastic.

“Those are…”

“I picked them up recently,” Julian explained, a hint of nerves in his tone. “I wanted to learn more… you know, be prepared.”

Something warm and soft brushed against Iris’ heart-a fleeting pang of emotion. “I’ll just take something to read.”

“Sure.” Julian came around the desk and moved closer. “Anything in mind?”

Iris didn’t answer. She scanned the shelves, pulled out a book at random, and turned to leave.

Julian watched her walk away, her posture cool and distant. A shadow of disappointment passed through his

eyes.

At noon, Julian prepared lunch himself.

Iris was surprised to find how much his cooking had improved since she’d last tasted it.

The honey-glazed pork ribs were perfectly caramelized, the pan-seared sea bass flaky and tender, and even her favorite-slow-braised pork belly with roasted asparagus-was rich and full-bodied. Even the simple sautéed seasonal greens were vibrant and well-seasoned.

It was as if he’d been practicing with a professional chef.

Still, Iris didn’t so much as glance his

way throughout the meal.

Over the next few days, Iris made a point of avoiding Julian.

She stayed in her room reading.

Julian left each morning, returned at lunch to eat with her, and worked late into the night in the study.

It felt like those early days of their marriage-two people sharing a house but barely connecting.

On the morning of the fifth day, Iris came downstairs for breakfast.

Freya greeted her politely. “Good morning, Ms. Whitlow. Mr. Everhart mentioned he’ll take you for your prenatal checkup when he gets back.”

Iris took her seat at the table, wrapping her hands around the warm mug of milk. “I’m not going.”

Freya looked uneasy. “Mr. Everhart said if you’d rather not go out, he can But the hospital does have better equipment for the ultrasound…”

Iris let out a quiet sigh. “Tell him I’ll go on my own.

arrange for a doctor to come here.

“I understand you’re upset with him.” health. It’s not something

put off.”

Freya said gently, “but these checkups

are

important for the baby’s

Iris knew that. Still, every time she remembered she was being kept here against her will, the anger bubbled back up.

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Chapter 267 The Lab

About half an hour later, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway drifted inside.

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