His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 381

His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife

Chapter 381 Parental Pressure

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Finished

Cayden noticed Brandon’s silence and pressed further, “New Year’s is around the corner. If you don’t settle down soon, you’ll be thirty–three. What’s going on in your head?”

Brandon didn’t answer, just absently stroked Harper’s hair.

“You really liked Iris‘ friend Zoe, didn’t you?” Cayden went on, his tone insistent. “Then tell her how you feel! Go after her!”

Seeing Brandon’s discomfort, Iris stepped in. “Dad, my friend isn’t looking to get married right

now.”

Cayden paused, sighed deeply, and turned back to Brandon. “Well, Ralph’s daughter is lovely too. She’s young, pretty, sweet–natured. Ralph and I have done business for years–good family, good people.”

Iris glanced over curiously. “Which daughter is that?”

“Ralph’s youngest, Yvette,” Cayden explained.

Julian leaned toward Iris and added quietly, “Ralph runs an import–export company–owns a port and a shipping fleet. I’ve worked with him. Solid–guy, fair–minded, honest. I’d guess his daughter was raised right.”

Finally, Brandon spoke up, his voice flat. “Dad, stay out of my dating life, please.”

Cayden sank back into the couch, his expression earnest. “I’m not getting any younger. I just want to see you settled, starting a family of your own. Is that too much to ask? Are you really going to wait until I’m gone to think about marriage?”

Brandon felt a wave of exhaustion. “You’re being dramatic.”

“If your mother were here-”

“Don’t bring Mom into this to guilt me,” Brandon cut in quietly.

Cayden fell silent.

Neither Julian nor Iris jumped in–pushing your kids to marry was practically a parental rite of passage, and arguing about it rarely helped.

Cayden’s tone grew more serious, almost commanding. “I want you committed before New Year’s. No more dragging your feet till thirty–three. I’ve already spoken with Ralph. Tomorrow evening, you’re meeting Yvette for dinner.”

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Chapter 381 Parental Pressure

Brandon looked up, startled. “What?”

“Five thirty, at Severin Restaurant. You and Yvette are having dinner.”

Rubbing his temples, Brandon gently passed Harper to Julian. “Dad, there’s someone I’m interested in. Setting this up without talking to me isn’t fair to her—or to Yvette.”

“It’s just dinner. I’m not asking you to get married tomorrow. What’s unfair about that?”

Brandon covered his face with one hand and let out a long sigh.

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Iris tried to reason with him. “Brandon, you and Zoe never really started anything. A spark isn’t the same as real feelings. Why not give this a chance?”

He gave her a puzzled look. “You’re taking Dad’s side now?”

“Because I know Zoe, and she’s really not-”

“I never said it had to be Zoe or no one,” Brandon interrupted. “But Yvette… I just don’t feel that way.”

Iris didn’t reply.

Brandon turned to Julian. “You get it, don’t you? How can I go to dinner with another woman when my heart’s somewhere else? It wouldn’t be right.”

Julian smiled mildly. “I think Iris has a point. A crush isn’t love, and sometimes feelings grow when you give them time. Zoe might not be the right match for you anyway.”

Brandon shook his head, almost laughing. Of course Julian would side with Iris–the man was devoted, through and through.

“Fine,” Brandon said finally, a resigned smile touching his lips. “I’ll go.”

Cayden brightened immediately. “Good. Thirty–two isn’t young anymore. It’s time to get

serious.”

“She’s seven years younger. She probably won’t be interested anyway,” Brandon remarked casually, already expecting it to go nowhere.

Cayden waved a hand. “Age doesn’t matter that much. Men and women hit their stride at different times. You’re in your prime now–seven years is nothing. A ten–year gap can work just fine.”

Brandon just nodded quietly.

Iris studied him for a moment. “If you’re going, be genuine about it. Don’t just go through the

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Chapter 381 Parental Pressure

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