His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 366

Chapter 366 Rejection

Zoe blinked, looking thoroughly bewildered. She turned her head to face him. “Huh?”

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Brandon leaned his weight against the vanity counter, lowering himself slightly until he was level with her bright, pretty eyes. His gaze was warm, his voice gentle and sincere. “Why would I possibly mind? Look, Ms. Ellison, to be honest, I’ve had a thing for you since our college days. We never exactly ran in the same circles or had the chance to really talk, but every time I saw you around campus, my heart would just race.”

Zoe froze, completely blindsided, as if she’d just stepped on a landmine. Nervous sweat instantly beaded on her forehead as she stared blankly at Brandon.

Her heart gave a frantic twitch.

It wasn’t because of his touch. It was fear. Panic. Pure anxiety.

Brandon could tell how uneasy she was, so his voice dropped an octave, becoming even gentler. “Don’t be scared. I’m not the bad guy here.”

Zoe was so stiff she couldn’t manage a single syllable.

Brandon pressed his lips together, swallowed hard, and his voice came out rougher, more husky. “Ms. Ellison, how about this? While you’re staying at my place, why not give me a shot? Let’s try dating.”

Zoe offered an awkward, questioning smile. “Try what?”

Brandon’s eyes lit up like the stars, shimmering with a hint of hope. “Dating. You know, the whole boyfriend–girlfriend arrangement.”

Zoe felt her scalp tingle. She took a sharp breath and averted her gaze, unable to handle the intensity of his stare.

Oh my god.

This guy was way too upfront. He was coming on way too strong.

Zoe shot him down without a second thought. “I’m not the marriage type.”

Brandon smiled easily. “That’s fine. I can be anti–marriage too.”

Zoe clenched her fists slowly at her sides. She kept her head down, inhaled deeply, and shook her head.

Brandon straightened up and let out a sigh, clearly disappointed, though his voice didn’t sound

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Chapter 366 Rejection

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defeated in the slightest. “You don’t even want to give it a try? I spoil my girlfriends rotten, you know.”

Zoe managed a faint smile. “I believe that, but I really don’t want to try. Dr. Whitmore, you deserve someone better.”

Brandon looked at her with pure admiration. “You’re incredible! You’re gorgeous, you’re sweet, you have an amazing figure, a great personality, you’re kind, gentle, outgoing, lively, smart, and you’re ride–or–die loyal, too.”

Zoe’s vision suddenly blurred, her eyes growing warm with unshed tears.

Her entire life, no one had ever validated her like that, praised her so freely, or appreciated her for who she was.

She came from a broken, toxic home. Every single one of her relatives was negative, using constant put–downs and criticism to raise her.

She already thought Iris was an absolute angel.

She hadn’t expected her brother to be just as kind.

For the first time, she was actually touched.

Her usually calm heart was stirred up, rippling with emotions she hadn’t expected. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. Finally, she stammered out, “Dr. Whitmore, could you please step out first? I need to get dressed.”

“Okay.” Brandon pressed his lips together and hesitated for a beat. He gazed at her beautiful face for a lingering moment, then turned and walked out of the bathroom, closing the door softly behind him.

Zoe stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and her eyes were swimming with tears.

This wasn’t like her at all.

She buried her face in her hands and let out a long, shaky breath.

Over the years, plenty of guys had shown interest in her.

But with her self–control and past experiences, her resolve to never date, never marry, and never have kids never wavered.

*****

After breakfast, Iris grabbed some documents and headed out of Whitmore Manor.

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The moment she stepped through the front gate, Julian climbed out of his car and hurried over to meet her.

Before she could even get a word out, Julian pulled her in for a kiss.

Iris struggled to breathe in the intensity of his kiss. She gently pushed against his chest to create

some space.

Julian pulled back but kept his forehead resting against hers. His breathing was ragged. “What am I going to do with myself? You’ve only been gone for a few days, and I’m already missing you like crazy.”

Iris pursed her lips, smiling. “Don’t we see each other practically all the time?”

“It’s not enough. Not nearly enough.”

Iris let out a soft sigh. She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest to inhale his clean, familiar scent. “You are always so greedy,” she murmured against his shirt.

Julian whispered in her ear, “I can manage when I’m busy. But the second I have downtime, my mind goes straight to you. And at night? It’s even worse.”

Iris tipped her head back to look at him. “Stay with me tonight, then.”

Julian gave her a quick peck on the lips, looking excited. “You promise?”

“Mmh, I promise.” Iris‘ cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she looked a little shy. “Harper is over at my dad’s place. My brother and Zoe are there with her, so I feel good about it.”

Julian looked confused. “Why is Zoe staying at your place, too?”

Iris‘ smile faded away. “Her dad beat up her mom again. She’s burned out. She’s planning to quit her job and leave the city to start fresh somewhere else. For the next month, until she leaves, she’s crashing at my place.”

Julian let out a long, heavy sigh. He didn’t even have the energy to complain about the

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