Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chloe wasn’t surprised at all when Ian asked that—she’d expected nothing less from him, honestly.
Even now, he still didn’t think he’d done anything wrong.
He apologized, bowed his head, and talked about making it up to her, but it all felt superficial.
It wasn’t until she kept the abortion a secret from everyone that Ian finally understood just how badly he’d messed things up.
He was just desperately patching things up between them, trying to keep this flimsy marriage from falling apart.
Chloe shot back at Ian, “Answer me first. Why do you always treat Andrea and Arthur better than you do me, your own wife p>
They stared at each other. Slowly, the light faded from Ian’s eyes.
His resentment turned into guilt bit by bit. Ian struggled to pull up a smile, but couldn’t get a single word out.
Chloe said, “I’ve only known Mr. Logan for less than a year, but the moment I frown, he notices right away that I’m tired. Even if he doesn’t like you, he’ll cover for me so I can get some rest. When I force a smile and say I’m fine, he knows I’m just putting on a brave face. He asks me to go racing, not because he wants to win, but just to help me relax. And even when he’s gaming on the couch, he’ll check on me like a hundred times, because he can tell something’s off with me and just wants to keep me company p>
Chloe looked Ian straight in the eye and asked, “Ian, we’ve been childhood friends for over twenty years. Do you really get me p>
Ian reached out, trying to take Chloe’s hand, but she pulled away.
Chloe said, “I let Philip’s kid call me ‘mom‘ because I once had a child too–and I’ve always wished for another. I can feel the genuine innocence and kindness from that child, something I’ve been aching for. But after three years of being your wife, what have you done for me? What have you truly given me as my husband p>
Ian almost stumbled back, his steps unsure, retreating all the way to the small kitchen doorway before he finally stopped.
Chloe continued, “Philip was practically a stranger to me at first, but I couldn’t help caring for his child and trying to help him heal. He was so grateful, he even bent the rules and fought my divorce case for me. I poured my heart into treating Sir Julian, and when your grandfather and father gave me and my parents a hard time, Julian didn’t hesitate to rush into the Hamilton family to protect me. They’ve always been loyal to me and treated me with respect. So isn’t it only fair that I treat them well in return p>
Chloe said, “Ian, I’ve thrown my heart and soul into you for over twenty years. Tell me, what have I gotten back p>
She went on, “You’ve given all your love and all your special exceptions to Andrea and Arthur. How am I supposed to treat you after that p>
With that, Chloe set down the dishes in her hands and walked out without looking back.
After Chloe left, Patrick walked in carrying some late–night snacks.
Seeing Ian looking completely out of it, Patrick just said, “Serves you right p>
Ian lay back down on the hospital bed, dazed and lost, his whole world in a mess.
Patrick pulled up a chair and sat down by the bed, stretching one leg out across the mattress.
He looked at Ian and said, “Do you seriously have no idea just how messed up you’ve been p>
Ian shut his eyes, hiding the pain lurking behind them.
Patrick scoffed, “Ian, the hurt you’ve caused Chloe is never going away. As long as she remembers, she’ll always carry everything you did to her. She hasn’t even forgiven you, but you have the nerve to start making demands? ”
Patrick scoffed, “It’s already a miracle she hasn’t completely torn you apart, and you still dare to play the victim and make demands? You really think she’s never gonna break free from you p>
Ian opened his eyes and shot Patrick a fierce glare.
After Patrick left, Chloe didn’t come back again.
That night, Ian didn’t sleep a wink.
The next day was the weekend.
Starting at eight in the morning, people began streaming in and out to visit Ian in his hospital room.
Ian’s parents, Thomas Quinn, the household staff, and Mitchell were all kept busy, moving in and out as they took care of things.
Guests came and went one after another, each bringing fruit and flowers–but Chloe never appeared.
As it was getting close to evening and the hospital room had finally quieted down after a long day, Chloe eventually showed up, having kept everyone waiting.
Shane saw her, his face cold. “Ian’s been in the hospital all day, and you haven’t bothered to show up? Exactly what could be keeping you so busy? ”
Chloe gave lan a quick glance on the bed and replied, “Isn’t that why you all are here p>
Ian jumped in before his dad could let loose. “Dad, Mom, you’ve both been running around for me all day. Go home and get some rest p>
Miranda shot Chloe a meaningful look, then firmly dragged Shane out of the room.
Once everyone else had cleared out, only Chloe and lan were left alone in the hospital room.
After a day and a night apart, Chloe noticed Ian looked even more drained than before.
Chloe said, “It’s not that I didn’t want to take care of you–you’re the one who made me so mad yesterday I walked out. That’s on you, not me p>
lan sat on the bed, watching Chloe by the window. He turned and pulled a small box of dessert from the drawer. “Your godson left this for you p>
Chloe walked over and took the little box from Ian.
Chloe was genuinely surprised to see Philip show up to visit Ian too.
“Trust a lawyer to always do things by the book,‘ Chloe thought, a little amused.
As Chloe turned to leave with the dessert box, Ian suddenly caught her wrist and tugged her down to sit at the edge of the bed with him.
Still holding her wrists, Ian said, “I know you don’t want to look after me. I’ll get discharged first thing in the morning, so you can focus on your own stuff p>
‘Chloe eyed Ian warily, on guard.
These past days, Philip had sent a legal notice, Julian had snatched away one of Ian’s projects, and Ian had nearly gotten run over by Arthur’s car. Yesterday, Chloe had left him at the hospital and disappeared for a whole day and night… But through it all, he’d never gone after her or lost his temper–he just kept backing down, again and again.
Chloe couldn’t help but be wary. ‘What exactly is he planning?‘ she thought to herself.
Ian finally released her wrist and said, “Chloe, I haven’t eaten all day p>
After a moment of silence, Chloe got up and went to fix him something to eat.
It was late at night.
Ian gently scooped Chloe up from where she’d fallen asleep, curled up on the couch, and carried her over to the bed.
He sat beside her on the bed, took her hand in his, and just watched her quietly, lost in thought, for a long time.
The next morning, Chloe woke up in the hospital bed.
When lan saw she was awake, he reminded her, “Thomas just brought breakfast. Come have some p>
After Chloe finished washing up, she came out and double–checked, “Are you really going to be discharged today p>
Ian nodded and gently pulled Chloe down to sit with him for breakfast.
Chloe asked again, “You’re not gonna mess with Arthur anymore, right p>
Ian put down the spoon and looked at Chloe. “Since you think of him as a friend, I won’t give him any
trouble p>
Seeing that, Chloe finally relaxed a little.
She picked up a cherry tomato and held it up to Ian’s mouth. “You need to keep your strength up, so eat
more p>
Ian opened his mouth, and Chloe popped the cherry tomato between his lips.
Ian found himself lost in Chloe’s smiling face, his gaze gradually clouding over with emotion.
Mitchell knocked on the door. “Mr. Hamilton, the car’s waiting at the hospital entrance p>
As lan stood up, Chloe hurried over and handed him his suit jacket, her movements gentle and attentive.
Ian lowered his eyes, watching Chloe fuss over him as she handed him his suit jacket. Emotion flickered in his gaze.
Back then, when Chloe fed him or handed him his coat, it was because she honestly wanted to look after him -and just wanted to be closer to him.
But now, whether she was feeding him or passing him his jacket, all she really wanted was for him to leave.
Ian took the jacket and, without missing a beat, pulled Chloe into his arms.
He said softly, “Chloe p>
Ian wanted to say something, but the words got stuck in his throat. For a moment, he just held her, unable to let his feelings out.
After a long, uncertain pause, he reluctantly let go of Chloe and finally walked out of the hospital room.