His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 314

Chapter 314 The Old Country Manor

May released a quiet sigh, hoisted Julian’s suitcase off the floor, and walked out.

Finished

she

The door stood ajar. No sooner had May stepped into the hallway than she found Julian waiting right outside. His expression was grim, his features dark and cold, and his eyes held a lifeless dimness.

“Julian, I’m just going to stash your gear in the spare room, alright?”

Julian remained silent, offering only a barely perceptible nod.

Inside the room, Iris heard the commotion and turned her gaze toward the threshold.

May walked away, but Julian made no move to enter the room.

Unable to see the man waiting in the hall, Iris gripped the garments in her hands with anxious force. She took a deep, steadying breath and resumed hanging up her clothes.

Once she had finished unpacking, Iris stepped out of the bedroom.

The living room was empty, so she continued walking until she exited the villa.

Out in the sprawling, inviting courtyard, a long, rectangular outdoor dining table had been set up. The entire Everhart clan was seated around it, along with a handful of neighbors who had dropped by to keep Beatrice company. They were all sipping coffee and sampling pastries.

Harper was perched on Frederick’s lap. She and her grandfather were engrossed in an animated conversation, alternating between fits of giggles and serious whispers. Frederick’s eyes were filled with evident adoration.

To an observer, it appeared to be a heartwarming scene, yet Iris felt a deep sense of unease. A nervous urge to snatch Harper away and flee washed over her.

Her mind drifted back to when Harper was still in the womb-back to when someone had almost coerced her into terminating the pregnancy.

The possibility that Frederick had been the mastermind behind that attempt was too horrifying to even contemplate.

In that moment, she felt like an intruder who had no place in this family dynamic. She stood there, frozen in awkward silence.

“Is that Julian’s better half?” a female neighbor asked in a hushed tone.

Another older woman glanced in Iris’ direction. “Yes, that’s her. The last time she showed her face around here was at the grandfather’s funeral a few years back.”

The locals in their hometown were oblivious to the fact that they had divorced. Murmurs rippled through the small group.

“Why doesn’t she come over and join us?”

alt

Chapter 314 The Old Country Manor

“Relations are probably strained,” the elderly muttered. “Years ago, at the old man’s service, Julian barely gave her the time of day, yet he was quite attentive to Ryder’s granddaughter.”

“I saw some online chatter claiming Julian was on the verge of getting engaged to Ryder’s granddaughter. Not sure if it was just tabloid gossip or if they actually split up for real.”

Beatrice caught fragments of the conversation. She turned her head and noticed Iris looking as though she was about to retreat back inside.

Beatrice called out quickly, “Iris.”

Iris halted her steps and looked over at Beatrice.

Instantly, every pa

A flush of em

or stay. Just

Julian p

Iris

at the table shifted to Iris.

olored Iris’ cheeks. She offered a stiff, awkward smile, uncertain whether to flee med around and spotted her as well.

ack, rose to his feet, and strode in Iris’ direction.

hy he was approaching her. She looked at him, bewildered.

stance between them, stopping just inches from her face. “You’re already out here. You ne sit,” he said.

g so close that Iris could detect the faint, familiar scent of his cologne. Her nervous heart mer against her ribs, losing its rhythm. She cleared her throat awkwardly.

Grandma, I don’t really know a soul here. I wouldn’t know what to say. I thought it best if I just

stance.”

them and you’ll get to know them,” Julian stated. Without warning, he reached out, grasped her and tugged her toward the dining table.

tared down at their interlaced fingers. Her heart was pounding wildly like a trapped animal. She was ned by this sudden display of intimacy.

eatrice watched Julian lead Iris over with a look of triumph on her face. She addressed the two neighbor women who had been whispering earlier. “My grandson and his wife are incredibly close.”

The two women offered stiff, awkward smiles and exchanged a glance.

Iris was guided all the way to the long wooden table. Julian pulled out a chair for her. She sat down gingerly, watching the

Caleb was lour

Jenny and

Vivia

Fr

ence.

d in a handheld video game.

close to whisper, completely lost in their own bubble.

another.

an

Chapter 314 The Old Country Manor

Finished

Beatrice kept the conversation flowing with the neighbors.

Julian sat half-listening to Martin, nodding casually every now and then to pretend he was paying

attention.

Martin was holding court, pontificating loudly, but Julian’s attention was elsewhere. He kept glancing

ways at Iris from the corner of his eye

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