Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Late night at the Blue Cove Residences. Ian’s new place.
He didn’t give Chloe a chance to break free, carrying her straight into the bedroom.
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Before Chloe could process what was happening, lan had thrown her onto the bed, pinioning her wrists above
her head.
She lay beneath him in a vulnerable, humiliating position, her face flushed with anger. “Ian, let me up p>
He used one hand to hold her wrists and the other to grip her slender waist.
Whether it was the alcohol or something else, his eyes were dangerously bloodshot.
He stared down into her furious eyes, and as their gazes locked, the darkness in his slowly kindled into heat.
His breathing grew heavy, and he leaned in instinctively.
As their breaths mingled, Chloe turned her head away.
A light, fleeting kiss landed on her sharp jawline. She struggled, then bit down hard on his shoulder.
A sharp pain shot through Ian’s shoulder, but he didn’t let go.
Instead, a flicker of lust ignited in his eyes, and a hint of a plea crept into his voice. “Don’t leave tonight. I’ll run you a bath p>
Chloe knew he had been drinking heavily.
But whether he was actually drunk or just pretending, she couldn’t stay. “What would Andrea think if she saw you doing this p>
Ian felt her resistance, and he slowly propped himself up.
Chloe seized the opportunity, scrambling off the bed.
Just as I thought,‘ she mused bitterly. “The moment I mention Andrea, he backs off.
Swallowing her emotions, she walked out.
Ian caught up to her in the living room, blocking her path. “Today is Thanksgiving. Did you really think it was appropriate to bring up divorce in front of my grandfather and my parents p>
The accusation in his low voice stoked the embers of her anger into a blaze.
“You didn’t think it was inappropriate to have a child with your mistress,” she shot back, “so why should I care about being appropriate p>
At the mention of Andrea and her son, lan’s brow furrowed.
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His voice was laced with impatience when he spoke again. “I don’t want to explain about them again. You can fight with me anytime you want, but today is Thanksgiving. I don’t want our family to have their holiday
ruined because of us p>
Chloe took two steps back, looking at him as if he were a stranger. “You hurt my brother for that woman you love. He was in so much pain he couldn’t sleep all night. My elderly parents had to take turns looking after him. When I left, the house was cold and quiet because no one was in the mood to celebrate p>
Her eyes welled with tears as she thought of her family. “You know it’s Thanksgiving, and you want your grandfather and your parents to have a nice holiday p>
Her voice rose as she confronted him. “Your family deserves respect, but are my parents nothing to you p>
Ian grabbed her arm, pulling her close and wiping a tear from her cheek. “Is that why you’re doing this? Threatening me in front of my family, telling them you’ll ruin my reputation p>
Chloe pushed him away in disgust. “How many times do I have to say it? I’m not throwing a tantrum. I’m not being childish. I seriously want a divorce p>
They stared at each other, tears of pure rage now streaming down her face.
After a long, silent moment, Ian pulled her into the study.
He took the divorce papers and the bank card from a drawer.
As Chloe watched, he fed the papers into the shredder.
Then he held the card out to her. “I won’t deny Andrea and her son exist, and I admit I used our shared assets to help them. But I’m only taking care of them p>
Chloe refused to take the card. “Stop kidding yourself, Ian. You and Andrea are ‘just friends‘? Did your son just pop out of a rock p>
Ian didn’t explain. He forcibly stuffed the card, loaded with 300 million, into her pocket.
He changed the subject. “Andrea and her son stayed in our marital home. I know you don’t like that, so I moved out. We can live here from now on p>
Chloe’s face was a cold mask. “Ian, the only reason I haven’t exposed your scandal is out of the deep respect I have for your mother, who has treated me like her own daughter for over twenty years. If you push me any further, don’t blame me for taking you down with me p>
Ian looked her straight in the eye. “Chloe, I know you’re angry. I know it’s hard for you to accept this. You can live separately from me to cool down, you can build your own career, but we are not getting a divorce p>
Seeing her silence, he stepped closer, his hand gently finding her wrist.
His voice softened. “There are six months left until the end of the year. You can take your time to think it over. As long as you come home, I’ll find a way to get your mother’s jewelry back, and this 300 million is yours p>
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Chapter 61
F p>
Her rejection was absolute. “You should know me better than that, lan. If something I love gene formy, I shansowat away. That goes double for a man who doesn’t love me, who cheated on me, and who is forbry from the inade
out p>
With that, she pushed him aside and walked away.
As the door swung open, she nearly collided with Patrick Lewin.
She didn’t even have time to greet him before the stormed out.
Patrick stopped lan at the door. “Another fight p>
Jan stopped, his eyes fixed on Chloe’s retreating back. “She’s furious. I don’t trust her to get home alone. Can you give her a ride p>
Patrick nodded and followed Chloe into the elevator.
Down at the building’s entrance, Patrick managed to coax and half–drag Chloe into his car.
He glanced at her discreetly. “So, what did he do to get you this pissed off p>
Chloe sat in his convertible, her gaze lost in the distance.
She turned to him. “Patrick, we’ve known each other for over twenty years, right? Would you ever hurt my brother just because some other woman told you to p>
Patrick winced, “Chloe, can we, uh, talk about something else p>
She looked back at him, a bitter smile twisting her lips.
“Patrick,” she asked, “would you give the wife you grew up with the cold shoulder for another woman p>
Patrick was silent.
Chloe tilted her head back, forcing her tears to stay put. “Ian and I have over twenty years of history. I was married to him for three years. I thought even if he didn’t love me, all those years we spent growing up together had to mean something p>
She looked at Patrick, her smile now laced with tears. “I was wrong p>
She added, “If I’d known it would end like this, I would have married you instead p>
Her blunt words stunned Patrick. “Chloe, what if… what if he has his reasons p>
She shook her head. “No one makes lan do anything he doesn’t want to do p>
Her tone shifted, becoming a plea. “Patrick, please, talk to him. Convince him to let me go. I can’t take this anymore”
A look of concern crossed Patrick’s face. “Chloe, you know lan. You know how ruthless he can be. If he says no, not even the best divorce lawyers in the country could make it happen p>
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Chapter 61
Chloe’s voice was quiet. “If I can’t get a divorce, I’ll kill myself p>
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