Chapter 35
Chapter 35
The next morning, Chloe went to work as usual.
She’d lost weight these past weeks, her frame delicate, her face drawn.
Even makeup couldn’t hide the hollows under her eyes.
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After assisting Mr. Murphy with a patient, she headed toward the therapy wing–and ran into Eric again.
The Jordan family owned private hospitals all over the world. Eric wasn’t based at Kingsford General Hospital, but he came in often for expert consults. Chloe saw him around a lot.
He took one look at her. “Working for Mr. Murphy… too much pressure p>
Chloe smiled politely, then hesitated. “Eric… you know people everywhere. Do you know anyone at an auction house p>
Eric nudged his glasses up his nose. “Buying or selling p>
“I have a set of jewelry. I want a reliable company to appraise it… maybe sell if the price is right.” Chloe said.
“I know a senior appraiser at Glory Profit Auction House,” Eric said. “I’m meeting him after work. Why don’t you come with me? I can introduce you p>
Chloe felt warmth rise to her cheeks, her voice steadier than it had been in days. “Thank you, Eric. I’ll meet you after work p>
With a goal in sight, she felt lighter. Once she sold the jewelry, she could pay Ian back–and walk away for good.
She could’ve asked Mia or Patrick for help. But they were too close to Ian. She didn’t want complications.
By the time her shift ended, Chloe stepped out of the hospital’s main building.
Eric’s car wasn’t there yet. But Ian was.
Standing on the steps, Chloe watched fan approach from a distance–and felt her expression slowly cool.
Jan stopped in front of her, voice low and even. “I booked your favorite restaurant. Let your parents know you’ll be late. I’ll drive you back later p>
At six–foot–three in an immaculate suit, with sharp features and that quiet, commanding air, lan drew stares just by standing there.
Chloe stepped aside, putting space between them. “lan, being abandoned mid–dinner while you run off to your old flame… once was enough to last me a lifetime. I don’t need to experience it again p>
Ian’s gaze lingered on Chloe, shadowed and unreadable. He reached for her hand-
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Chapter 35
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She eased back without a word, then crossed the pavement in quick strides, slipping into Eric’s car that had pulled up unnoticed.
Ian stood frozen, watching as Chloe disappeared into another man’s car, a tight, heavy ache pressing hard against his chest.
Behind him, the hospital doors eased open. Andrea stepped out, cautious. She crossed to lan–and flinched at the darkness clouding his face.
“lan… maybe I should talk to your wife,” she said softly, guilt edging her voice. “Woman to woman. It might go more smoothly p>
Ian’s eyes finally shifted to her.
“That won’t work.” He said quietly. “You don’t know her temper p>
Andrea fell silent, nodding faintly, and didn’t press further.
Andrea’s voice was soft, laced with guilt. “I’m sorry, Ian. I just… I want to forget the past and start over. If it were only me, I’d rather die than come back and disturb your life. But I’m a mother. My child is innocent. You understand that… don’t you p>
Ian looked at her–at the fragility in her face–and his tone gentled. “Andrea… I know it hasn’t been easy. You sacrificed so much for me. You suffered for it. You were a victim. But Chloe is a victim, too. Your pain wasn’t caused by her. But hers… was caused by us p>
Andrea nodded again and again, tears streaking down her cheeks. “I know. We’ve only dragged you down p>
Ian’s gaze sharpened. “Stop. You don’t owe me apologies. This is my debt, not yours. And I’ll say it again- don’t appear in front of my wife unless I give you permission p>
Andrea nodded quickly. “Of course. I’ll do whatever you say p>
Then, hesitating, her tone turned cautious. “Ian… since you faked the paternity test, and your family already accepts him… could you legally register him under your name? It’d make school enrollment easier, and it might ease your family’s doubts p>
Jan’s expression hardened. “Andrea… I may feel guilty. But I have lines I won’t cross p>
He turned away, tension etched in his shoulders, and walked off toward his car.
Andrea trailed him to the curb, watching as he got in without looking back and drove away.
Her lips pressed thin. His wife had turned on him completely–and he still wouldn’t let her go.
Maybe their marriage ran deeper than she thought.
Six years ago, when they’d been together, she’d tried again and again to close the distance between them. Ian
had never crossed that line.
Since coming back, Andrea had tested him more than once. Ian never crossed the line.
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Chapter 35
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She’d been gone six years. Had another man’s child. It was only natural his feelings had faded.
And yet the day she came back, one phone call had been enough. He’d dropped everything, Abandoned his wife. Stayed by her side, caring for her and her son for a month.
And these days, too–he gave her anything she asked for.
She could feel it. lan still had feelings for her.
But until he divorced Chloe, she couldn’t confess her own. So she’d retreat. Let the child be her excuse.
If she didn’t give up, one day, Ian would come back to her.
Andrea held that thought like a secret, silent vow.
The next day at noon, while lan was out, Chloe slipped back into their apartment.
She’d left in a rush at the hospital that day, never packed.
Now she moved quictly through the rooms, gathering what she needed into a single suitcase and dumping everything else in the trash.
In the bathroom, she opened a plastic bag tucked behind the sink.
Toothbrushes. Mugs. Towels. Slippers. Matching, in different colors.
She stared for a long moment, lips curving faintly.
He must’ve bought them that night–before taking her back to Hamilton Manor.
Then she’d overheard what he said in the study. Started pushing for divorce. He’d never had the chance to give them to her.
Her smile cracked, brittle at the edges.
Chloe walked into the study. On the desk lay a single sheet of paper.
Father: Jan Hamilton
Son: Clint Sherman
Paternity probability: 99.999%
Result: The tested male is the biological father of the child.
Certified by the authority’s official seal.
Her fingers trembled. The report weighed like lead in her hands.
Clint Sherman.
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Chapter 35
The proof of their love. Even his name spelled it out.
Chloe swallowed hard, blinked back tears, and took a photo of the report with her phone.
Then she set it down. She pulled out the divorce papers she’d rewritten.
Placed them side by side with the report on Ian’s desk. And walked away.
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