Chapter 30
Chapter 30
“I can’t forget! I’ll never forget!” Chloe struggled wildly in lan’s arms.
She was a person, not some unfeeling object.
She’d seen it with her own eyes, heard it with her own cars–how could she ever forget?
When they got home, lan carried her straight upstairs to the master bedroom.
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His phone kept vibrating. He held her wrist with one hand and reached for his phone with the other.
“I had a meeting with Malcolm Yeoman this morning. I need to call him. Please, just… calm down for a minute p>
Chloe snatched the phone from his hand and threw it against the wall. “If you want me to calm down, get me the pill p>
No matter what, she couldn’t get pregnant. Not now. Not like this.
Ian stared at the shattered phone for a few seconds, then turned back to her.
He took her wrists gently, his voice softening.
“Even with Andrea and the boy… they won’t change your place in this family. Or in our marriage p>
Chloe’s face was pale and drained.
Her voice was barely a whisper. “Ian, they’ve already changed everything p>
“If they weren’t here, my husband might not love me… but at least he wouldn’t have missed our third anniversary p>
“If they weren’t here, my husband wouldn’t ignore me while playing the devoted partner at someone else’s bedside p>
“If they weren’t here, my husband wouldn’t have humiliated me in front of my colleagues p>
“Chloe-” he tried to cut her off, but she wouldn’t stop.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
“Chloe, believe me–I feel responsible for them, but not in the way you think p>
She broke down sobbing, her whole body shaking.
“Ian, a heart is only so big. It can’t hold everyone.
You said you’d take responsibility for them–so let me go. I’m willing to step aside p>
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Chapter 30
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“You know I love you… but if you keep me trapped in this suffocating marriage, I won’t survive it p>
His arms tightened around her. “It won’t be like that, Chloe. If you just trust me, we’ll be okay p>
But she was too tired to fight anymore.
She was too drained to keep arguing. “If you let me take the pill, I’ll stop overthinking p>
After a tense silence, Ian finally gave in and got her the pills.
If it gave her peace, he’d allow it. Having a child could wait.
Once she’d taken the pill, Chloe lay down on the bed, finally calm.
Ian tucked the blanket around her. “I called Mia. She’s coming to stay with you. I need to go out for a while p>
When she didn’t respond, he turned to leave.
Just as he reached the door, her quiet voice stopped him:
“I’ve known since the beginning you didn’t marry me for love. I was the one who hoped for too much. This is on me p>
Ian froze mid–step. He turned back, looking at her still form on the bed.
A flicker of panic and regret crossed his face–emotions he hadn’t even let himself feel.
He waited until Mia arrived before finally leaving.
Noon. Private room, third floor of Royal Court Club.
Patrick snatched the third bottle before Ian could open it. “You hand that paternity test to your grandpa, and even if it’s fake–it’s real. What happens when Andrea and that kid start wanting more? Then what p>
Ian slumped forward, elbows on his knees, looking wrecked.
“If I don’t do this, my grandfather will destroy them. Andrea’s life got wrecked because of me. I can’t let anything else happen to her or the boy. I owe her p>
He dragged a hand down his face. “Besides, she’s not like that. She promised–once she’s better, she’ll let me find some far–off school. She won’t mess with me and Chloe p>
Patrick didn’t sugarcoat it. “Ian, this isn’t duty–it’s selfish. There are a hundred ways to make things right, but you picked the one that wrecks everyone. I get you’re still pissed at your grandpa for breaking you two up. But taking it out on Chloe? That I don’t get p>
He locked eyes with his friend. “If Chloe made one mistake, it was loving you too much. If you still want Andrea, let Chloe go. Go be somebody else’s dad p>
Ian’s voice turned hard. “I’m not turning my back on Andrea and the boy. And I’m not divorcing Chloe p>
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Chapter 30
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Patrick shook his head. “Then you’re a fool, man. That girl deserves better. Every time I see her, my heart breaks a little p>
Ian shot him a dark look. “She’s my wife. Save your pity p>
Patrick shrugged. “Don’t be so sure, man. You were her hero, now you’re her nightmare. She’ll bail eventually p>
Ian downed another shot. “She’s just upset right now. She’s loved me too long to really walk away p>
Patrick stared at him like he’d grown a second head. “And why would she stay?
“Because you lied about ‘business trips‘ while playing house with your ex?
“Because you bought two of every anniversary gift?
“Because you pulled all–nighters outside your marriage?
“Because you ditched her when she was sick to hold another woman’s hand?
“Or because you’re spending shared money on cars and maids for your secret family p>
Ian had nothing. He just drank.
Patrick summed it up, “At this rate, karma’s gonna cremate you p>
Just then, Ian’s phone buzzed. He checked it and stood to leave.
“You’re really going to see Andrea now? After all this?” Patrick asked.
“She’s getting discharged. I need to be there p>
Patrick shook his head. “You’re hopeless p>
Later, Patrick showed up at the house. Mia had just gotten Chloe to come downstairs.
Chloe tried to smile when she saw him.
Patrick ruffled her hair. “Don’t force it. Looks worse when you fake it p>
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
They’d all grown up together–Chloe and Mia as best friends, Chloe and lan with their arranged future, Patrick and Ian like brothers.
Patrick had always looked out for both girls.
He’d watched Chloe fight her way to Ian for years.
Now the three sat on the couch, Chloe in the middle.
Patrick came to calm her down, but one look at her pale face changed his mind.
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Chapter 30
“Chloe, listen. If you can fight, fight. If you can’t–walk away. You deserve better.
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