Chapter 34
Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Days of torment had hollowed Chloe out. But now, somehow, Chloe felt a fragile thread of hope pulling her
forward.
Like her parents said, it’s just a divorce. Not the end of the world.
She splashed cold water on her face, pulled herself together, and stepped out to take out the trash–only to freeze at the sight of a familiar backpack lying by the door. It’s Carl’s.
A flicker of dread shot through her. She searched the stairwell top to bottom. No sign of him. Heart tight, Chloe carried the bag back inside. “Dad, Mom… I think Carl overheard us p>
Jill set down the plate in her hands and untied Frank’s apron, her voice taut. “That stubborn boy… God, let him not do anything stupid p>
Minutes later, the three of them were out the door.
The Irvine family had been in decline for years. Her parents had long since shed the polish they once wore, reshaped by years of small lives and quiet compromises.
If lan chose to see them, they were the refined in–laws of a powerful family.
If he didn’t, they were just… ordinary people.
Powerless. And if anything went wrong, they’d be nothing more than lambs to the slaughter.
Around seven that evening, Carl arrived at the apartment Chloe once shared with Ian.
Inside, Ian was talking quietly with Patrick in the living room. Mia got up to answer the door.
She froze when she saw Carl storm in, shoulders squared, fire in his eyes. “Carl… did you come here alone?” she asked, glancing behind him.
Carl didn’t answer. He strode straight to the living room, snatched a glass–and flung the contents at Ian.
Mia gasped. A split–second later came the sharp crack of glass–Carl had grabbed the wine bottle, smashed it against the edge of the table, and vaulted over, ready to bring it down on Ian’s head.
Patrick caught Carl around the waist, twisting the jagged bottle from his hand. “Easy, kid,” he muttered. “This isn’t the head you get to break p>
Carl was all lean height and restless energy–white tee, loose sweats, the black–and–red cord of his earbuds coiled around his ear like an accent mark.
He jabbed a shaking finger at Ian, his eyes rimmed with red. “Ian-” He still hadn’t gotten used to calling him by his name. “Chloe loves you! How could you betray her p>
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Ian tossed aside the napkin he’d been holding and stood, calm, deliberate. He crossed the space between them and reached to straighten Carl’s earbud cord.
Carl snapped his head away, glaring daggers. “Don’t touch me p>
Ian sighed quietly. “Does Chloe know you’re here p>
Patrick still had one of Carl’s arms pinned when the boy lashed out with a kick. “I don’t care what it takes- pay you back, every cent–she’s divorcing you p>
Ian’s brows pulled tight. “Carl,” he said, voice low and precise, “Chloe will only ever have one husband–and it’s me. I’m not divorcing her p>
He nodded at Patrick to let go and stepped forward, catching Carl by the arm. “Come on. I’ll drive you home!
Carl twisted–and whipped a high kick at Ian’s head. Ian caught his leg, locking his shoulder in place, giving him no chance to fight back. “I know your karate’s good,” Ian said evenly. “But if you want to beat me… give it a few more years p>
“You son of a bitch!” Carl shouted.
Chloe stepped inside–and froze. Ian had Carl locked in place, one arm braced across his shoulders like a
restraint.
Ian saw her. His hand fell away.
Chloe crossed the room in quick strides, shoving Ian back with both hands. She pulled her brother behind her, scanning him head to toe. “Carl. Are you hurt p>
The tall boy straightened, still bristling, but obedient under her gaze. “I’m fine. When I’m grown, I’ll make him pay p>
Jill and Frank swept in, took their children each by the arm, and started for the door.
Ian watched Chloe walk away with her parents, and something sharp clenched hard in his chest–like the air had been ripped out of him.
He took two steps after her and caught her wrist. “Chloe p>
She looked up at him, gaze steady, voice flat. “I’ll be staying with my parents for now. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can–and then I’ll divorce you. If you have any concerns, take your time. When you’re ready, tell me. I’ll do my best to accommodate them p>
Ian stared at her resolute face. Slowly, his grip eased.
Mia hurried over, eyes wide, eager to distance herself. “Chloe, it was my brother who messed up. You’re not gonna cut me off too, right p>
Chloe gave her a small, reassuring smile. “Mia… even if I divorce your brother, you’ll always be my best friend p>
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Chapter 34
As she left with Carl and her parents, she paused to nod at Patrick. “Patrick, we’ll get going p>
Patrick and Mia walked them to the door.
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The moment it shut, Mia turned back–and the more she looked at her brother, the more furious she got. With a huff, she grabbed her bag and stormed out too.
When everyone had gone, Patrick leaned against the cabinet, watching Ian. “She sounded dead serious. Did she get her hands on money p>
Ian sank back onto the couch, exhaustion tugging at his features. He poured himself a drink. “Her mother owns a jewelry set worth over a billion.” He stared at the amber swirl in his glass.
Chloe’s parents had spoiled her all her life. If she asked for help… they’d give it. They’d do anything if they thought she’d been wronged. It was the only reason she could look so certain–saying she’d pay him back and
walk away.
Patrick’s jaw tightened. “She’s ready to walk away, and you’re still not going to explain p>
Ian’s voice was low, flat. “Years ago, my grandfather threatened Andrea behind my back. Forced her overseas. Made her marry someone else. She left to protect me. To keep my place in the Hamilton family. To protect my future. She kept it secret for six years. Six years of hell. If she hadn’t been cornered, she never would’ve come back p>
He set his glass down with a soft clink. “If I told the truth about Andrea and her son, Grandfather would never let them near me. To protect the Hamilton name, he’d do whatever it took–erase every threat, no matter the
cost p>
Ian’s gaze went cold. “The only way my grandfather and my father will look the other way, is if they believe the boy is mine p>
Patrick exhaled sharply. “You couldn’t just set the Shermans up in another city p>
Ian pressed a thumb to his brow, a faint crease digging between his brows. “I tried. Andrea refused. Her mother and brother refused, too. She won’t take my money. She won’t leave p>
Patrick let out a sharp laugh. “She won’t take your money, but she’ll take everything else. Says she doesn’t want to disrupt your life with Chloe–yet she refuses to leave. That woman is doing this on purpose p>
Ian kept his gaze lowered, shoulders drawn with quiet fatigue. “She’s been through hell these years.” he said softly. “She’s scared. Of my grandfather. I can understand that p>
Patrick’s jaw tightened. “So what–you’re giving up on Chloe? Divorcing her p>
“I’m not divorcing her.” The words left lan without hesitation.
He knew Chloe couldn’t accept what he’d done.
Knew her asking for divorce was pure anger.
He could let her stay with her parents. Give her time. Let her cool down.
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She loved him for over twenty years. Married him for three. She wasn’t leaving. He wasn’t letting her.