Chapter 222
Chapter 224
Chapter 224
Chloe’s heart was in turmoil as she recalled the past.
Every one of those memories was a scar Chloe still carried—she’d never forget the pain.
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Every word out of Chloe’s mouth hit him like stabbing blades, each one slicing straight through Ian’s heart.
Battling waves of agony, Ian braced himself and forced his body to move, dragging himself to the bedside with sheer determination.
Carefully, Ian reached out to hold onto Chloe’s arm, his eyes bloodshot from holding back his emotions. In a low, trembling voice, he begged, “It was all my fault before. I promise, I won’t ever let it happen again. Can you please forget it–just this once p>
‘Forget it?‘ Chloe sneered, her tone razor–sharp with mockery.
She coldly shook Ian’s hand off.
She shot back at him, “If it were you, Ian, could you really forget p>
Ian held himself up with both hands on the bed, forcing himself to stay steady.
He looked Chloe straight in the eyes and said, “Chloe, whether you believe me or not, back then I said those things because I knew how devoted you were to your family, that you’d never do anything foolish. That’s why
I p>
His voice trailed off, his Adam’s apple working as he tried to continue, but in the end, he fell silent.
Chloe’s words cut like ice. “So all this time, as long as I stayed alive, you figured my pain didn’t matter at all. My needs, my feelings–you ignored them and left me to drown in my own misery. That’s what you call being sorry p>
Jan’s whole demeanor sank; he had no words left, completely gutted.
Their ugly past loomed between them like a series of bottomless ravines–choking off any chance lan had to
reach Chloe.
Chloe’s voice softened, though you could still hear the pain. “Ian, I only brought you to the hospital because I didn’t want any trouble. I’m honestly terrified of every man in the Hamilton family, no matter the age. Can’t you just leave me alone p>
Ian’s emotions finally snapped. Ignoring the sharp pain tearing through his wounds, he got out of bed.
He blocked Chloe’s way at the bedside, looming over her as his gaze bore into her.
Ian tried to explain, his voice shaky. “I’m hurt. I just want you to take care of me, to stay with me. I’m not trying to make things difficult for you p>
Chloe frowned. “I’ve set you up with nurses already. If two aren’t enough, I can get more. The bills are paid
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Chapter 224
too. If you need something else, just tell me–I’ll pay for whatever makes sense p>
Ian’s shoulders slumped in defeat.
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He grabbed Chloe’s arm, desperation in his voice. “I don’t care about the nurses–I want you. Does it have to be this cold between us? ”
They stared each other down at close range, tension thick in the air.
Chloe’s tone was detached. “Honestly, the way I’m acting now isn’t even a tenth as cold as how you were to me back then p>
Ian’s hand fell from Chloe’s wrist, his grip fading.
Chloe turned and walked away.
Ian called after her as she walked away, “Chloe, I know I’ve let you down. I know all this is on me p>
He continued, voice strained, “I’m not expecting you to forgive me right now, but when I’m trying to talk to you, could you please just say something back p>
Chloe paused mid–step and turned her head.
She replied coolly, “You say I’m not talking to you, but at least I’m willing to try. When you were Mr. Hamilton, all I ever got was cold, silent treatment during our marriage. Honestly, I’m already doing you a favor p>
After that, Chloe left the hospital room without looking back.
Ian dropped heavily onto the edge of the bed, too weak to hold himself up anymore.
Propping himself up with trembling hands, his face was pale as a sheet, twisted in agony. His body rocked back and forth unconsciously–he looked so frail it seemed like he might pass out any second.
Two nurses came in. The moment they saw lan looking that awful, they hurried out to find the doctor.
By the time Julian arrived, the doctor had just finished cleaning lan’s wounds and hooked him up to an IV.
Jan was half–reclined on the bed, casting Julian a look filled with tangled emotions.
Julian lounged in his wheelchair with casual indifference, sporting a festive dark red suit jacket–as if he were dropping by for a party instead of a hospital visit.
Julian’s long, narrow eyes roamed over lan’s sorry state, and he let out a soft, enigmatic laugh.
Ian’s voice was cold. “You could’ve ended things before, but you just had to sit tight until Chloe jumped in to cover for you–so I wound up getting stabbed twice p>
He continued, “You’re still my uncle, aren’t you? Hurting me–what’s it even do for you p>
Julian’s sharp, dangerously handsome face curled into a wicked grin. “If I didn’t give you a couple of stabs,
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Chapter 224
how else would you learn your lesson p>
Ian’s already stormy scowl deepened several shades.
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Julian casually rolled the prayer beads between his distinct fingers and said, “You really ought to thank me. Otherwise, how else would you be relaxing in a hospital suite like this—and with your ex–wife personally delivering you here, no less p>
The words “ex–wife” cut into Ian’s ears like a knife.
Ian’s gaze locked onto Julian, his eyes burning with intensity.
Word by word, Ian said to Julian, each syllable like a knife: “If you want to put your own life on the line and fly off to Riverton to lure your sworn enemy to your doorstep, that’s your call. But leave Chloe out of this. Don’t you even think about getting her involved p>
Julian’s face grew serious as he asked Ian, “What made you show up so quickly last night p>
The two stared each other down, and Ian purposely glanced away, masking any emotion.
He replied with a laid–back tone, “This is Kingsford. I can trap your enemy out by the ring road and wait for your men to arrive. Figuring out Chloe was in danger at Rowe Estate was child’s play for me p>
Julian didn’t press further.
He changed the subject, saying, “Edward barged into Rowe Estate this morning and went off the deep end. He and my granddad were yelling so loud, I swear those two old men nearly tore the roof off p>
Julian said, “Look, Ian, you got hurt because of me. I’ll handle your medical bills—and any compensation, that’s all on me p>
Ian’s face was grim as he told Julian, “I didn’t get hurt because of you, and I don’t need your compensation. Just stay away from Chloe p>
Julian rolled his prayer beads, the gentle clack echoing in the room. “Chloe’s young, gorgeous, and has a great heart. I think I’ll be spending more time with her, getting to know her better p>
Seeing Jan’s expression darken, Julian laughed lightly. “Well, if you’ve got a problem with it, Mr. Hamilton, maybe you should talk Chloe into keeping her distance instead p>
Jan turned away, his reply blunt and cold, “I’m not seeing you out p>
After Julian left, Jan sat alone in the hospital room, surrounded by a suffocating silence. He just stared into space, feeling emptier than ever,
The two care workers Chloe hired lingered nervously at the doorway, too scared to set foot inside. They just watched from afar, not daring to disturb fan at all.
When Mia and Patrick came by to drop off lunch for lan, he was just lying in bed, totally zoned out.
Mia glanced at Patrick and sighed, “Honestly, seeing my brother all alone like this–it’s kind of pathetic, isn’t
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Chapter 224
it p>
Patrick shrugged, “Pitiful people have usually earned it. Can’t say he doesn’t deserve it p>
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Patrick set the lunchbox down, then walked over to the bed and gave lan a nudge in the waist with his finger.
Ian looked at Patrick but didn’t say anything.
Patrick turned to Mia, speaking gently, “Let me talk with your brother for a bit. Why don’t you go find Chloe and have her take you down to the cafeteria? See if you like the food there p>
Mia glanced worriedly at Ian lying on the bed.
Patrick picked up Mia’s bag and nudged her toward the door with a smile. “Be good, go play for a while and come back later, okay p>
After Patrick managed to shoo Mia out, he came back to Ian’s bedside and raised an eyebrow. “You know, I find it pretty weird–Sir Julian is always crazy careful with his plans, so how on earth did you figure out Chloe was in trouble at Rowe Estate p>