Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Meanwhile, in the Inpatient Ward at Kingsford General Hospital, Mia was getting a serious dressing–down from Ian.
Patrick was also there, but he didn’t want to get involved. He leaned against the wall, watching the scene unfold.
“Did Chloe send you there to stir up trouble with Andrea?” Ian jabbed a finger toward the ward door, his face stormy.
“Chloe?” Mia looked unbothered. “She’s got better things to do p>
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lan’s gaze sharpened. Mia had grown up with Chloe, and the two had always been inseparable. Mia was a firecracker, and Chloe was the
schemer.
Point and shoot–that was Mia’s motto when Chloe gave the orders. Ian believed that without Chloe egging her on, Mia never would have had the guts to confront Andrea.
“Go apologize to Andrea,” he commanded.
Mia shrugged, stubborn and timid all at once. “You apologize to Chloe, and maybe I’ll think about apologizing to her p>
Ian glared at Mia, who reminded him of Chloe. No wonder the two could be partners in crime, he thought. One pigheaded, the other unyielding.
“Mia,” Ian raised his voice. “If you don’t apologize, you can pack your bags and go abroad now p>
Mia flinched behind Patrick. “Try sending me away, and I’ll spill the beans about your little affair p>
“How dare you!” Ian’s chest heaved with anger. “If Chloe and I ever actually split, you’ll have played your part p>
A faint voice came from the hospital room. Ian didn’t hesitate–he stormed inside.
Andrea stiffened at the sight of him. Pain shot through her, but she swung her legs off the bed and walked barefoot toward him.
“Ian, I need to talk to you,” she said, swallowing back the sting.
lan cast a glance at Linda, who, sensing the tension, quietly left.
He helped Andrea back onto the bed and pulled up a chair beside her. “You’re hurt. Why are you even up p>
Andrea’s pale face was tight with self–restraint, hiding the tears she refused to shed.
“Ian, Mia was standing up for Chloe,” she sobbed. “Chloe must hate me to death right now!
lan frowned, then comforted, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure they apologize p>
Andrea studied him, measuring his expression before speaking again.
ない
“I didn’t expect Mia and Chloe to hold such a grudge,” she whispered. “Mia thinks I’m a
homecker–hits me, screams at me,
accuses me of spending your money. If Chloe had confronted me last night, she could’ve killed me p>
Jan’s voice softened, thick with concern. “Andrea, relax. With me here, no one can stir more troubles p>
Seizing the moment, Andrea held his hand and let the tears fall.
even
“I know I shouldn’t have stopped you from explaining to Chloe. I was selfish… but I was scared,” she admitted. “Six years ago, your grandfather could’ve destroyed both our lives with a single word. Even now, your family could ruin me like killing an ant p>
She sobbed with pain, voice cracked. “Chloe already hates me this much. If she ever learns what I’ve been through these six years—if she finds out Clint’s real parentage–she’ll tell everyone. Then your family will despise me even more, look down on me even worse p>
She drew a shaky breath and went on. “How could we ever survive in Kingsford then? How could I even face my family and friends? If I hadn’t come to you, who else could I turn to p>
“Andrea, lan comforted. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep Clint’s
cret for you. I’ll handle everything p>
Andrea had endured unspeakable torment, forced to give birth to a believed he owed her this much.
a child
all while lan married someone else, completely unaware. Ian
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2:57 PM P.
Chapter 22:
“But Ian,” Andrea whispered. “I know we have caused trouble for you and Chloe, but I can’t help feeling uneasy. I’m scared p>
Ian stood and patted her back gently, trying to soothe her. “Stop overthinking. Take care of yourself. Leave the rest to me p>
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“I can’t always hide behind you. This all started because of me,” Andrea held his hand again, putting on an innocent look. “I’ll apologize to Chloe and Mia. I can’t let them keep misunderstanding me like this p>
“No need. You’re the one hurt,” Ian withdrew his hand quietly. “They’re the ones who owe you an apology p>
Chloe spent the morning buried in work. Hours flew by. By noon, most colleagues had left, leaving her alone in the break room.
She could’ve gone home, but didn’t want the back–and–forth hassle.
Sitting quietly by the window, untouched lunch box in front of her, she stared out at the city through the window.
When Ian walked in, she only gave him a cold, flat glance.
“Chloe,” greeted Ian, sitting across from her. His eyes flicked to her untouched lunch and then to her delicate face.
She had put on makeup today–beautiful, but he preferred her natural look, pure enough to make his heart ache.
Seeing her unnervingly still, Ian recalled last night, when Chloe, frantic and clutching a fruit knife, refused to let him leave.
He sighed inside, then he rose and crossed the room, gently taking her arm.
“I know you’re not a fan of cafeteria food,” he said. “Come on, I’ll take you out to a real restaurant p>
Chloe subtly leaned away, avoiding his hand. Ian’s hand hovered, then fell naturally. After a brief pause, he pulled a chair next to her.
“ Chloe…” he turned to face her. “Can we talk calmly p>
Chloe turned her head, numb. “About what p>
She knew why he was here. Mia had told her everything–Ian, just to force Mia to apologize to Andrea, had gone so far as to threaten her, saying he’d send Mia overseas if she refused.
If he could be this ruthless to family, how much mercy would he show her? Chloe dared not to think.
“Andrea’s in the hospital,” Ian’s steady gaze met Chloe’s. “Mia did it. She beat her up p>
Chloe knew this mess started because of her. She couldn’t keep letting Mia take the fall.
“So what?” Without hesitation, Chloe replied, “Go ahead–arrest me if you want p>
“It’s not that serious,” Ian reached for her hand. “Just go apologize to Andrea p>
“Apologize to Andrea? ” Chloe eased out of his grasp, lifting her chin to meet his gaze. “You’d better kill me now p>
Even though she had prepared herself, hearing lan’s demand out loud made her chest ache.
She rose to leave, but Ian grabbed her wrist.
“Didn’t you send Mia to Andrea’s place?” he asked.
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