His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex Wife novel Chapter 400

Chapter 400 An Unexpected Ally

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Zoe stepped out of the office building, her bag slung over one shoulder, feeling completely drained–both physically and emotionally. She paused near the sidewalk, her eyes fixed on the subway entrance down the street, and stood there silently for what felt like a long time.

As she walked, she pulled out her phone and realized with a sinking feeling that she didn’t even have Brandon’s number saved in her contacts.

Instead, she opened her messaging app and tapped on Iris‘ chat thread.

Then she stopped walking. Her gaze locked onto Iris‘ profile picture, and for a moment she just froze.

A sharp, heavy ache spread through her chest, as if something were pressing down on her heart.

When they’d first met, they were just two girls from rough backgrounds, leaning on each other through hard times.

They’d helped one another out, stood side by side, and kept moving forward together.

Zoe had always treasured that friendship–more than almost anything.

But now…

What had she brought Iris lately, besides drama and trouble?

If things kept going like this, she was scared Iris would eventually get tired of it all and slowly drift away.

But if she didn’t ask Iris for help–specifically, to convince Brandon to drop the lawsuit–she’d lose her job.

Life right now felt like a trap: every turn she took, something sharp was waiting to cut her.

Right there on the sidewalk, she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

She crouched down beside a row of shrubs near the curb, wrapped her arms around her knees, buried her face against them, and let herself cry–really cry–her shoulders shaking with each sob.

She didn’t want to beg Brandon. Why did it feel like the whole world was pushing her toward him?

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15:33 Thu, Jun 25

Chapter 400 An Unexpected Ally

Tears wet the backs of her hands.

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She cried until she was exhausted, until the tears finally slowed. Sniffling, she lifted her head, pressed her palms over her eyes, and took a slow, unsteady breath.

“Zoe?”

A deep, familiar voice came from above her.

Zoe lowered her hands slowly and looked up.

Standing against the morning light was a man in a well–tailored suit, his handsome features softened by a hint of concern and confusion.

Daniel?

She knew him. Quickly, she wiped her cheeks with the backs of her hands, sniffed once more, and pushed herself to her feet.

“Hey,” she said, her voice hoarse and thin. “Here for a meeting?”

“Yeah. Didn’t expect to run into you here, though.” Daniel usually had an easy smile, but right now he wasn’t smiling at all. His eyes stayed on her tear–streaked face, and his tone came out gentler than she’d ever heard it. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”

“Not today,” Zoe answered roughly. She turned to head toward the subway stairs.

Daniel stepped forward and caught her gently by the arm.

Zoe stopped and looked back at him. “What?”

He cleared his throat quietly. “Talk to me. Maybe I can help.”

“There’s nothing to help with.” When it came to guys, she always defaulted to tough–it was easier that way.

Daniel took a slow breath. “It’s obvious, Zoe. You’re into Brandon.”

She pulled her arm free. “You’re wrong. I’m not into anyone.”

She started walking again.

Daniel pressed his lips together, held still for a few seconds, then caught up in a few long strides. He gently steered her to a stop and moved to face her. “Zoe, I used to think you turned me down because you weren’t interested. But now I see what’s really going on. Let me help

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Chapter 400 An Unexpected Ally

you.”

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Zoe was already on edge; his words just brought fresh tears to her eyes. “You can’t help me,” she said, irritation fraying her voice.

“Yes, I can.”

There was a low intensity in his tone that made her pause.

Daniel took a moment, reining himself in. He hadn’t meant to sound so sharp. When he spoke again, his voice was soft, almost coaxing. “Zoe, I can help you… and I don’t want anything in return. We’ve known each other a while. I just want to see you happy. Brandon’s a good guy- one of the few. He’s worth building a life with. Let me handle the stuff that’s holding you back.”

Zoe let out a dry, humorless laugh. “Don’t act like you’ve got some magic fix.”

Daniel didn’t get upset. He kept his tone level, pragmatic. “Your only real problem is your dad —his gambling, the way he keeps dragging you down. If we handle that, you and Brandon won’t have this hanging over you.”

The more he spoke, the more it sounded like a fantasy. Zoe shook her head, a bitter smile touching her lips. “He’s still my father. What are you going to do, have someone ‘take care of him‘ so the problem disappears for good?”

Daniel sighed, almost smiling. “I’m a law–abiding citizen, Zoe. I’m not talking about anything illegal. But I told you before–I know how to deal with gamblers. Why won’t you believe me?”

Zoe stayed quiet, just studying his face.

Daniel released her arm, slid his hands into his pockets, and spoke calmly. “Brandon is one of the rare decent guys out there. Yeah, I’m jealous. But instead of watching you miss your shot with him and struggle through all this alone… let me help you clean up the family mess. That way you can be with him without anything holding you back.”

“You want to put him in some kind of rehab program?” Zoe felt a faint flicker of hope. If her dad were out of the picture, her and her mom’s lives would be so much easier.

“Rehab?” Daniel’s laugh was short and cynical. “I’d believe the sun rises in the west before I’d believe a hardcore gambler could quit through rehab.”

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