Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Rain hammered steadily against the windows. When Patrick dropped Ian off, the doctor had just left.
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Ian went straight to the bedside, eyes narrowing at Chloe’s pale face. Even in sleep, her brow was furrowed, lashes damp, as if trapped in a nightmare.
He grabbed her hand—it was scorching hot.
Chloe had been fine when he left earlier, still arguing, still full of energy. Ian wondered. She couldn’t just suddenly fall so ill.
If he hadn’t seen it himself, he wouldn’t have believed it. In his memories, Chloe had always been healthy, and even rarely caught a cold.
“When did she start running a fever?” Ian asked Mia quietly.
“I couldn’t reach Chloe just now, and couldn’t reach you either. Mom was worried you two had quarrels, so I came over,” Mia replied. “She was already lying in the rain outside when I arrived. I have no idea how long she’d been there p>
Patrick elbowed Ian. “You two fight when you left p>
Ian’s expression darkened like storm clouds. “You two can go home,” he said flatly to Patrick and Mia.
Mia hesitated. “Hey Ian,” she added. “Chloe had already taken the medicine. Remember to help with physical copling, check her temperature every hour, and if it keeps rising, take her to the hospital p>
Ian nodded without a word, jaw tight.
Patrick grabbed Mia by the arm. “Let’s go p>
“No, I have to find Andrea first,” Mia clutched his collar. “Patrick, you know where Andrea’s hiding, right? Take me to her p>
“That’s none of your business!” Patrick dragged her out, leaving Ian and Chloe behind.
Back in the bedroom, Ian rolled up his sleeves to measure Chloe’s temperature. After that, he fed her some water, wiped her face and arms with cold water to cool her down.
Each gesture of his were calm and exact, as if performing a delicate procedure rather than caring for his wife.
“Ian… ” Chloe’s hands waved weakly, calling out in her sleep.
Ian held her hands gently, brushing the sweat from her palms.
Even in dreams, she was reaching for him. Ian knew she could never leave. Tonight had been his fault. He should have waited for her to calm down before leaving.
Chloe lay feverish and dazed for three days. When she finally woke, her head still felt heavy.
She had missed a meeting with Eric Jordan, the senior Mr. Murphy had introduced her to, and now she needed to send an apology.
Walking out of the bedroom, Chloe noticed the study door ajar. Ian was on the phone.
It was a workday, over ten in the morning, yet he hadn’t gone to the office.
Seeing her frozen in the hallway, Ian approached and raised a hand to check her forehead.
But Chloe turned her head, avoiding him.
“Chloe,” Ian’s face darkened. “Is this how you thank your husband for taking care
Chloe ignored him, heading toward the stairs. She wanted to argue, to release all the anger inside. But she had neither strength nor
Back in the bedroom, neither spoke of the “affair” a
Chloe realized there was little left to discuss with lan expect for the affair topic.
She moved toward the dressing room, but Ian caught her wrist.
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Chapter 16
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“Why didn’t you call me when you were sick?” he asked. “You were out cold for three days. What if I was not here p>
Chloe looked at him, unnervingly calm. “I didn’t want to interrupt your little affair p>
A faint feeling of desperation clung to her, and Ian didn’t like it one bit. He paused, then switched topics.
“I’m leaving for Tecnovia this afternoon,” he said. “The studio staff will deliver the wedding dress later. You p>
“I’m not available,” Chloe cut him off flatly, pulling her hand away.
Ian’s tone tightened with irritation. “Chloe, you’ve thrown a tantrum already. I hope you know when to stop p>
Chloe shot him a single look and continued to the dressing room. Then, dressing neatly, she left the house without another word.
After Chloe had left, the studio staff brought Ian the new copy of the wedding photos. No longer after that, Mitchell appeared at the house gate.
“Mr. Hamilton,” he reported, “ It’s time to depart p>
“I’m delaying departure by two hours,” Ian instructed, but said nothing more.
Mitchell glanced at the studio staff moving in and out. Having no choice, he then quietly left.
That evening, Chloe returned with a stack of medical textbooks.
The new wedding photos were already hung up. She stared at the photos on the wall, expression unreadable.
To her, Ian had always been a master of appearances. He would never allow her to ruin the image of a successful career, a harmonious family, and an impeccable character.
Later, Mia came by with some dinner, and was surprised by the medical textbooks.
“Chloe, are you seriously planning to divorce lan?” she asked.
Chloe closed her books. “I’m going to start my hospital internship p>
Mia’s eyes shimmered with concern. “You don’t have to work so hard. Ian… he may be a jerk, but he still cares about you. He even called me at noon today to come keep you company p>
Chloe lowered her gaze. Yes, Ian had been generous with her and the Irvine family. But that generosity came with calculations, strategies, and investments.
She couldn’t tell Mia the truth–that she hadn’t divorced Ian because he had coerced her with money. He was still her brother, after all.
Changing the subject, Chloe said, “Anyway, there’s nothing to do at home. Better to keep busy. I’ll get a health check soon. And on Monday, I can start work p>
“Okay,” Mia nodded eagerly. “I’ll come with you to the health check p>
On the day of the healthy check, Chloe skipped breakfast.
Mia, worried about her, brought a lunchbox of breakfast from Miranda and stayed by her side.
After over an hour, all tests were done. Holding a stack of medical reports, Mia guided Chloe out of the elevator and found a place to sit.
“Chloe, eat something first,” she said, handing Chloe the lunchbox.
Just then, a small boy dashed past, bumping into Mia. The reports toppled to the floor, and the lunchbox rolled across the hall, stopping against a trash bin.
“Hey you, stop right there!” Mia shouted.
Chloe reached out, laying a hand on Mja’s arm. “Mia, i
Nearby, Andrea, about to Chloe.
enter the elevato
fine p>
at the sound of Mia’s voice. Her eyes flicked between Chloe and Mia before settling on
2:56 PM P P.
Chapter 16
She recognized her–the woman lan had married. She had secretly met her once.
‘No wonder lan keeps his distance from me, she thought. ‘Chloe… her beauty is surely impossible to ignore.
Andrea walked over, deliberately ignoring Chloe, bent down, and picked up the fallen reports, handing them to Mia.
“Excuse me,” she asked, testing the waters. “Are you Mia Hamilton p>
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