Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 133

Chapter 133

‘By rights?‘ Chloe thought, catching a key phrase in lan’s words.

‘She picked out that phrase,’ Chloe reflected.

Chloe asked lan, “What do you mean by ‘by rights‘?”

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Ian knelt down next to Chloe, carefully tending to her wound as he explained, “My grandpa and grandma had my uncle and my mom. After grandma passed, my grandpa married another woman–her last name was Rowe. Julian Rowe is my mom’s half–brother.”

Chloe gaped at him in disbelief. “You mean…?”

Ian reached out and lightly pressed her lips shut.

He continued, “Since the Rowe family didn’t have a son, my grandpa agreed to let his youngest son take his mother’s surname and inherit the Rowe family’s estate.”

Chloe frowned, still feeling something was off. “So why does Carrmen Rowe treat you like you’re his mortal enemy whenever he sees you?”

Ian continued wrapping the bandage with care, not holding anything back. “The Rowe family faced a major financial crisis years ago. Back then, The Weasley and Hamilton families were focusing on expanding into Europe, so every cent was tight. The Weasleys didn’t step in to help, and as a result, the Rowe family’s business ended up completely swallowed by their competitors.”

Chloe couldn’t shake off a strange feeling. ‘Something’s still not right here,’ she thought. “And then?”

Ian sat down beside her.

He held Chloe’s wrists firmly, his face growing solemn.

He said, “After that, Julian’s mom tried everything to save the Rowe family’s business, but when her attempt to raise funds failed, she couldn’t take the heartbreak anymore and jumped to her death. From that moment on, Julian started seeing The Weasleys as his sworn enemies–and his grudge extended to us Hamiltons, too.

Chloe stared at fan in utter shock, lost for words.

Jan went on, “After Julian’s mom died, Carrmen Rowe was never the same. Desperate to revive the Rowe family, Julian risked everything and struck a deal with a shadowy international business group. He managed to pull together a fortune in startup money almost overnight, launched his own company, and spent years laundering the operation until it looked clean on paper.”

Jan added, “About a year ago, he was attacked by some mysterious syndicate while in the States. He barely made it out alive, but his leg was badly injured. I figure this time, he’s slipped back into the country to get treatment on the down low.”

Jan paused and squeezed Chloe’s hand. Tin telling you everything, no holding back, because you need to keep your guard up. As Julian Rowe’s physician, you’re not just dealing with his condition or his foul temper- you could be stepping right into danger”

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Chloe fixed lan with a steady gaze. “So you want me to give up on treating Julian Rowe, is that it?”

lan met her eyes. “Even if I tried to stop you, do you really think it’d make a difference?”

They stared at each other, and Chloe’s lips curved into a mocking smirk. “Stopping me is pointless, but you’ve got other ways–like threatening me, isn’t that more your style?”

lan frowned, released her wrists, and turned away to pack up the first aid kit.

He said. “I promised I’d never do that to you again. And I won’t.”

Chloe looked at lan standing there, and she just couldn’t shake this uncomfortable feeling.

Honestly, part of her kind of wished they would just blow up at each other and then spend three days in total silence.

Chloe got up, heading for her bedroom, but Ian called after her, “Chloe, you’re there to save lives, not gamble with your own. If things get dicey, you better put yourself first and stay safe.”

Chloe stopped in her tracks, glancing back at him. “You’d go all in for love–so why can’t I go all in for my career?”

Their eyes locked, standing face to face for a moment.

lan looked her squarely in the eyes and said, “My life belongs to you.”

Chloe scoffed coldly. “Not a chance I’d ever believe that, even if the world was ending.”

With that, she spun around and disappeared into her room.

“What’s Andrea’s deal lately?‘ Chloe wondered.

‘Ever since that call from Ian, she hasn’t dared to show up for days.‘

‘She’s been spinning all these wild stories, acting like Ian’s totally lost it.

Andrea’s been rambling nonsense these past few days!

In the days that followed, Chloe was so busy she barely knew which way was up, and lan? The guy was a complete whirlwind–moody, unpredictable, and acting like he was two seconds from going off the rails.

Before she knew it, March was already here.

One morning. Chloe was about to leave when lan cut her off at the door.

Jan looked at her and said. “Chloe, do the math–how long has it been since you actually ate at home?

Chlor brushed past him briskly. If you’re so bored eating alone, why not have Andrea and your son keep you company?

Jan’s face visibly turned cold, and Chloe just pursed her lips

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She teased, “Or should I ring up Patrick and Arthur, let them come over and eat with you instead?”

Chloe reached for the door, but lan grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her close.

He said. “It’s been forever since we had dinner together. How about I make a reservation tonight? Let me pick you up after work.”

Chloe thought lan had been acting kinda off these days.

She paused, then gave an easy nod. “Just ask Cora to come cook. I’ll make it home early after work.”

With Chloe’s clear answer, Ian’s tense face finally softened a little.

His gaze moved from Chloe’s lovely face down to her lips–the kind of softness he’d been longing for.

Ian gently gripped her slender waist and slowly leaned down toward her.

As his warm breath brushed against her, Chloe turned her head away, dodging his kiss.

Ian was visibly stunned for a moment, then quickly let go as if nothing had happened.

The door swung open and then shut, and Ian just stood there motionless.

Ever since that morning Chloe had taken the herbal remedy, they hadn’t slept together–not once. It was like they’d totally drifted apart as a married couple.

Chloe kept him at arm’s length every time he got close, pulled away from his touch, and dodged his needs like it was second nature.

No matter how hard Ian tried, she never truly let her guard down around him.

When Ian came home from work that night, Cora had already laid out a lavish dinner spread.

Ian said softly, “Cora, why don’t you tidy up and head home for the evening?”

He walked over to the wine cabinet and selected a bottle.

After pouring half the bottle of red wine into the decanter, lan stepped into the dining room–and that’s when he noticed a plate of pancakes sitting on the table.

lan’s eyes lingered on the pancakes, and just then, a vivid memory of Chloe tearing up crashed into his mind.

Ever since the day he’d baked that blueberry cake for Andrea and her son, Chloe hadn’t touched pancakes-

not even once.

A dull ache spread through Jan’s chest. He turned to Cora, his voice low and tight ‘Please, take those pancakes away‘

Just as Cora left, Chloe walked in

lan’s mood soured instantly when he saw Chloe arrive with two guests in tow

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Noticing his sour expression, Chloe quickly explained, “I just bumped into them downstairs, so I invited them up. It’s way more fun when we all eat together.”

Patrick and Arthur went straight to wash their hands, acting like they owned the place. On their way to the dining room, they passed by Ian–Patrick stopped for a moment.

Patrick said, “Hey, we’re not just crashing your dinner–Chloe invited us herself.”

Arthur grinned and said, “Relax, don’t look so stiff every time you see us. Chloe told me to just help myself, so I’m digging right in.”

Ian shot Arthur a look. “Please, call her Mrs. Hamilton or Dr. Irvine.”

Arthur shook his head, clearly provoking Ian. “No way. Chloe said she likes it when I call her that.”

Ian had been waiting days for Chloe to finally agree to dinner with him, only for the whole thing to get hijacked by these two–it was enough to make him want to scream.

For the entire meal, he just sat there sulking, stone–faced, not touching his food or taking a sip–like he was punishing himself.

Finally, after what felt like forever, Patrick and Arthur left. Chloe and Ian had just finished washing up and were about to turn in for the night.

But then Arthur called Chloe, sounding a little shaken. “I had a nightmare and can’t sleep. Can you bring that special incense upstairs for me?”

Chloe groaned inwardly, rolled out of bed, and dug out the custom incense blend she’d made just for Arthur.

Ian planted himself right in front of the closet, arms crossed, not letting Chloe get anywhere near her clothes.

Chloe, exasperated, gave him a look. “Seriously, you don’t have to glare at me like I’m dinner. Sick people are just like kids or old folks–they’re fragile, you gotta coax them sometimes.”

Still scowling, Ian snatched the incense away from her hand.

Barely holding back his frustration, Ian said through clenched teeth, “Just go to bed. I’ll deal with him for you.”

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