Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Chloe woke up the next morning.
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Shaking her fuzzy head, Chloe tried to swing her heavy legs off the bed–only to spot fan, crisp and clean in his suit, stepping out of the walk–in closet.
lan, unfazed by Chloe’s angry and hostile glare, strode calmly to her bedside. “You blacked out last night. Low blood sugar,” he said flatly.
As the memories trickled back, Chloe’s pale, sickly face twisted with pain.
Ian towered over her, coolly observing Chloe’s every move. “I trust you remember what I said last night. You’ve got one day to think it over p>
Chloe swung her legs off the bed. Her sickly pale face was enough to make anyone’s heart ache.
Her voice trembled, barely above a whisper as she said, “Ian, I’ve only got this one life. If you want it, take it p>
Ian’s tone was ice–cold. “A life means nothing to me p>
They stared each other down for a moment. Then Chloe turned and walked right out of the master bedroom.
As Chloe was passing through the dining room, Ian blocked her way. “I had lily porridge made for you. Finish it before you go p>
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Chloe shoved Ian hard. “Don’t put on an act for me. My life means nothing to you, so don’t pretend it does p>
Ian’s reply was cutting, almost mocking. “We’re getting divorced. If you drop dead here, I’m just worried the Irvines will try to squeeze money out of me p>
Their eyes locked, and Chloe’s already pallid face somehow grew even paler.
‘So this is Ian’s true colors… cold and heartless,‘ Chloe thought bitterly.
‘Savage, Chloe thought, her anger simmering.
‘Stone–cold,’ the word flashed through her mind.
Just as Chloe turned away, Ian’s hand locked on her shoulder. “If you’re set on leaving, eat the porridge first p>
Chloe froze for a few seconds, then headed into the dining room.
The lily porridge was sweet and soft, but to Chloe, it felt like she was swallowing glass shards–each spoonful a struggle.
Ian stood silent at the dining room entrance, watching Chloe finish every last bite.
Chloe got up and walked out of the dining room. Ian didn’t stop her.
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Chapter SO
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Ian’s eyes stayed on Chloe’s thin silhouette. “My time’s too valuable to waste on you. I’m only giving you one day–no more p>
Chloe paused for a split second but didn’t look back.
“Tomorrow is Little New Year,” Ian said coldly. “If you’re not back before tonight, then don’t ever come back again p>
His words were both a reminder and a warning.
Chloe stayed silent and walked straight out.
She refused to believe it was a dead end. There must be another way out.
Back at the hospital, Chloe’s father Frank pulled her aside–Jill’s situation was grim.
The doctors urgently recommended moving Jill to a better hospital, or at least trying to get the specialist who’d treated her before to consult on the case again.
Chloe stood dazed in the hospital corridor, her vision blurring and her mind completely blank.
Back then, it was Ian who’d arranged for the overseas expert to treat Jill.
During the whole treatment, that specialist never spoke privately with the Irvines–not even leaving a phone number behind.
Desperate, Chloe immediately thought of Eric.
She tried calling him three times in a row, but his phone was off.
Eventually, she reached Eric’s assistant, who said Eric was in Marlovia performing brain surgery on a major political figure.
Whenever Eric was in the operating room, it was always for a tough case. His surgeries often stretched for hours – sometimes half a day or longer.
But Jill was in terrible shape, and Chloe really didn’t have time to wait.
Frank looked like he’d grown old overnight.
He looked at Chloe, the pain clear in his eyes. He opened his mouth to try and say something, but in the end, no words came out.
Father and daughter stood there in the corridor. Neither of them spoke–the silence just lingered endlessly.
As noon approached, Miranda showed up at the hospital to visit Jill.
Frank used the excuse of needing a smoke and slipped out of the room.
Inside the hospital room, Chloe handed Miranda a glass of water.
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Chapter 80
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Miranda hesitated before finally speaking up. “Chloe, a mother who raised a bastard like lan really isn’t in any position to lecture you… But seeing you two go at it like this, honestly, it breaks my heart p>
Ever since Andrea and her kid came back and you asked for a divorce, I’ve seen every step lan has taken. Nothing slips past me.
Now that lan’s decided this marriage won’t end, he’ll go to any lengths to keep you trapped.
The more you try to go head–to–head with him, the more you’ll just come out the loser.
Miranda said, “Chloe, sometimes when you’ve got no way out, even swallowing your pride can help you grow. I’m not playing favorites here–just want to remind you, learn to turn being wronged into part of your game plan p>
Chloe lowered her gaze.
No matter how smart she was, Chloe was totally outmatched–when it came to smarts and scheming, Ian crushed her every time.
He’d already mapped out the next three moves before she even took her first step. She didn’t stand a chance of outplaying him.
Miranda said, “Chloe, think about your mom and dad, and your brother. I just don’t want you to throw your future away just because you’re stubborn p>
Seeing Chloe moved, Miranda continued, “Chloe, honestly, every single relationship comes down to mutual benefit–including marriage. The reason Ian keeps having the upper hand, always knows how to handle you, is because you’re just relying on love and emotions, not looking out for your own interests p>
Miranda said, “If you look at your marriage to Ian as a partnership, like a negotiation, it’ll make everything a lot less painful p>
After Miranda left, Chloe stayed quietly in the hospital room, her eyes shifting between determination and hesitation.
She happened to glance up and saw her father in the hallway, his back hunched, shuffling back and forth, obviously anxious. Her heart, already battered from everything, somehow ached even more.
Her parents had raised her in luxury, giving her everything she could ever want. They never laid a hand on her, never said a harsh word.
When they found out she was struggling, they never once complained. Instead, they sold off family heirlooms to help her break free, backing her up when she chose to go abroad.
But now, her dad barely slept anymore–worry eating him up around the clock.
Her mom was still out cold, trapped in a coma.
Her little brother, stuck at school, called her first thing in the morning, at lunch, and before bed–scared to
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Chapter 80
death his mom would get worse, terrified lan would mess with Chloe again.
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The Irvines had always been her lifeline, lifting her up with the fiercest love anyone could imagine.
There was no way she could just turn her back on them–not after all they’d done for her.
Chloe walked to the doorway of the hospital room, tears glistening in her eyes. “Dad, I’ve made up my mind -I’m not leaving him p>
Frank’s eyes
turned red as he dropped his head, unable to say a single word through his choking emotion.
Chloe swallowed all her hurt, took a deep breath, and called Ian.
Ian’s voice was steady on the line. “Get your things ready. I’ll have the driver pick you up later p>
A few hours later, Chloe stood at the front door of Blue Cove Residences.
Her fists were clenched so tightly at her sides, her knuckles were bone–white.
The driver pressed the doorbell for her.
Someone opened the door from the inside.
Chloe saw Ian standing at the doorway in dark loungewear, his presence so imposing that her feet felt nailed to the spot–she couldn’t make herself take a single step forward.
The driver greeted Ian with deferential haste, quickly carried Chloe’s luggage inside, then slipped out without another word.
After the driver left, Ian strolled right up to Chloe and, with the ease of someone claiming what’s his, draped an arm around her shoulders. Chloe instantly jerked away from his touch, pushing him off without thinking.
Ian’s usually impassive eyes tightened for a moment, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face.
He said, “Chloe, if you didn’t come back of your own free will, the door’s right there–you can leave whenever you want p>