Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195

Chapter 195

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At 4:30 a.m., lan quietly unlocked the door with his spare key and walked into the master bedroom.

With only the faint glow seeping through the curtains, he gently climbed into bed.

He gathered Chloe in his arms, the blanket still between them, and let his eyes drift shut.

Years ago, he’d struggled with insomnia for a long time.

After they got married, Chloe tried countless remedies to help him sleep.

But he never told her that what truly healed him wasn’t the medicine–it was her.

Chloe carried a gentle fragrance, the faint scent of herbal medicine mingling with her skin. Whenever Ian lay beside her and simply breathed in that subtle aroma, he’d relax and drift off before he even knew it.

So, for all three years of their marriage, Ian never spent a single night anywhere but sleeping beside Chloe.

Ever since Chloe left him, his sleep had only gotten worse–he couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept through the night.

All he wanted was to return to her side, hold her close, and sleep peacefully until morning with her in his

arms.

Ian couldn’t help but inch closer to Chloe, his body drawn to her as if by magnetism.

‘Chloe, once the divorce is behind us, I’ll make sure you truly want to come back to me. I won’t give up, Ian thought, his heart full of determination.

‘Chloe, you’re the only one I want. No one else matters to me,‘ he promised silently.

The next morning, Chloe woke up and found Ian lying right beside her.

He was still fast asleep in his pajamas, completely out cold.

He wasn’t covered by a blanket, and even in sleep, his brow was furrowed. One hand instinctively gripped Chloe’s wrist, as if afraid she would slip away.

Chloe paused for a moment, then gently slipped her wrist free from lan’s hand and gave him a little shake to rouse him.

Jan had had a bit too much to drink the night before. He groaned and squinted against the headache, then saw Chloe standing by the bed, her gaze steady, not saying a word.

Jan sat up on the edge of the bed, reached out–almost hesitantly–and caught Chloe’s hand, drawing her in

close to him.

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Chapter 195

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“I drank a little too much last night. Hope you can forgive me,” he said, his voice tinged with apology.

Chloe replied, “The courthouse opens at nine. Let’s get there early. Go wash up.”

Whether Ian was truly drunk or just faking it didn’t matter to her.

All that mattered was that she could walk away today with the divorce papers in hand.

Chloe withdrew her hand and went to freshen up in the bathroom.

Ian stayed sitting at the edge of the bed, gazing at her retreating figure, his mind numb and empty.

At exactly eight in the morning, Ian and Chloe stepped out of their rooms, both having finished getting ready.

Chloe carried a small white suitcase, dressed in a cool–toned minimalist outfit. It was understated but subtly elegant.

Ian stood by the study door, dressed in a sharp black suit, a delicate jewelry box in his hand. His eyes were drawn to the suitcase Chloe had with her.

He hadn’t realized it last night, but now he saw it–Chloe had already packed her suitcase, ready to go.

A sharp pain stabbed through his chest, and Ian reached out to steady himself against the doorframe.

Chloe reminded him, “Did you make sure you have all your paperwork? If you’re set, we can head out.”

Ian lifted his gaze to meet hers.

They stared at each other in heavy silence.

No matter how miserable Ian looked, Chloe seemed completely unfazed–as if she couldn’t even see the pain written all over his face.

Ian drew in a shaky breath, steeling himself before he walked over to Chloe and handed her a bank card.

His voice was quiet and a little hoarse. “This card holds half of everything I own, converted to cash. It’s for you.”

Chloe reached out and took it.

Ian opened the jewelry box in his hand, pulling out an exquisite diamond necklace.

Meeting Chloe’s gaze, he said softly, “I spent so long getting this for you, but never found the right chance to give it. Let me help you put it on, okay?”

Jan set the jewelry box aside and gently clasped the necklace around Chloe’s neck.

Chloe shook her head. “I’ll take the card, but keep the necklace–there’s no need for gifts between us anymore.”

Jan froze, his hands still hovering in the air.

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Chapter 195

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“I drank a little too much last night. Hope you can forgive me,” he said, his voice tinged with apology.

Chloe replied, “The courthouse opens at nine. Let’s get there early. Go wash up.”

Whether Ian was truly drunk or just faking it didn’t matter to her.

All that mattered was that she could walk away today with the divorce papers in hand.

Chloe withdrew her hand and went to freshen up in the bathroom.

Ian stayed sitting at the edge of the bed, gazing at her retreating figure, his mind numb and empty.

At exactly eight in the morning, Ian and Chloe stepped out of their rooms, both having finished getting ready.

Chloe carried a small white suitcase, dressed in a cool–toned minimalist outfit. It was understated but subtly elegant.

Ian stood by the study door, dressed in a sharp black suit, a delicate jewelry box in his hand. His eyes were drawn to the suitcase Chloe had with her.

He hadn’t realized it last night, but now he saw it–Chloe had already packed her suitcase, ready to go.

A sharp pain stabbed through his chest, and Ian reached out to steady himself against the doorframe.

Chloe reminded him, “Did you make sure you have all your paperwork? If you’re set, we can head out.”

Ian lifted his gaze to meet hers.

They stared at each other in heavy silence.

No matter how miserable Ian looked, Chloe seemed completely unfazed–as if she couldn’t even see the pain written all over his face.

Ian drew in a shaky breath, steeling himself before he walked over to Chloe and handed her a bank card.

His voice was quiet and a little hoarse. “This card holds half of everything I own, converted to cash. It’s for you.”

Chloe reached out and took it.

Ian opened the jewelry box in his hand, pulling out an exquisite diamond necklace.

Meeting Chloe’s gaze, he said softly, “I spent so long getting this for you, but never found the right chance to give it. Let me help you put it on, okay?”

Ian set the jewelry box aside and gently clasped the necklace around Chloe’s neck.

Chloe shook her head. “I’ll take the card, but keep the necklace–there’s no need for gifts between us anymore.”

Jan froze, his hands still hovering in the air.

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Chapter 195

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His voice was firm, brooking no refusal. “You can take off your ring, fine–but this necklace, I need you to

wear it. Promise me.”

Chloe paused, wavering for a second before giving in–she didn’t argue further.

Today, her only goal was to get the divorce.

Nothing else mattered.

Ian stepped behind Chloe, fastening the necklace around her neck with tender care, then gently arranged her long hair so it fell smoothly over her shoulders.

This was the very first time Ian had ever placed a necklace on Chloe, and somehow, the moment felt more significant than he’d expected.

For a long second, Ian’s eyes lingered on the way the diamond necklace shone against Chloe’s skin–his look distant, almost lost. Then he reached out and enfolded her hand in his, holding it close in his palm.

He looked into her eyes, his voice soft and pleading. “Promise me you’ll never take it off, alright?”

They locked eyes again, and this time, lan’s composure finally broke, sadness clear on his face.

Chloe frowned, then nodded. “Okay.”

They were already divorced–what was left to say?

I mean, what’s a necklace supposed to mean after all this?

Chloe honestly had no clue what was going through Ian’s mind.

Ian couldn’t stop himself–he reached out and pulled Chloe into a desperate hug.

Chloe shoved hard against him, but Ian just clung to her even tighter, refusing to let her go no matter what.

He pressed his face into the curve of her neck, soaking in her scent like he needed it to breathe.

His voice was muffled, softer and more humbled than she’d ever heard. “Just let me hold you…just for a moment, please.”

Chloe’s struggles slowed and finally stopped.

Ian’s arms instinctively tightened around her, holding her even closer, unable to let go.

He wished time could freeze, that this moment would never pass.

Chloe couldn’t break free, so she warned him coldly, her voice dangerously low, “Ian, just stop.”

Her words, laced with annoyance, pierced lan’s heart like icy needles.

He suddenly remembered–there were times he’d tossed that same phrase at Chloe, impatience dripping from every word.

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So, this was what it felt like. To be dismissed by the only one you cared about–nothing could hurt worse.

Ian slowly released Chloe, not even sure when his eyes had grown red around the edges.

His throat tightened painfully as he forced the words out. “Let’s go.”

Neither of them even bothered to mention breakfast.

As Ian carried Chloe’s suitcase and they headed downstairs, they ran into Patrick.

Patrick spotted Ian holding Chloe’s suitcase and asked, “Where are you two off to so early?”

Ian and Chloe exchanged a quick glance, then Chloe said, “I’m heading back to my parents‘ place.”

Until she actually had the divorce papers in her hands, anything could still go wrong.

Chloe didn’t tell Patrick that she and Ian were actually going to the courthouse to get divorced.

Just then, Arthur stepped out of the elevator and walked over to join them.

He said warmly, “Chloe, I know these roads better than anyone. Let me take you—I’ll make sure you get there safe.”

Chloe never imagined she’d bump into Patrick and Arthur this early in the morning–right when she was on her way to finalize the divorce.

She waved them off, saying, “It’s fine, seriously. You guys go do your thing. Ian and I just need to take care of some family business at my parents‘ place.”

Arthur reached out to grab the suitcase from Ian, but Patrick intercepted him, swiftly snatching it away instead.

Ian shot them a look, then took Chloe by the hand and headed straight for his car.

As they watched Ian and Chloe drive off, Patrick finally let go of Arthur.

Arthur said, “Patrick, why’d you pull me back? I just wanted to join in the fun.”

Patrick was genuinely surprised–he hadn’t expected Arthur, who was still so young, to be so sharp. “You figured out where they’re headed?”

Arthur slapped his hands together. “Come on, it’s Monday morning–Chloe’s not heading to the hospital, she’s saying she’s off to her parents with a suitcase in tow. Where else would she be going if not to the courthouse for a divorce?”

Patrick shot Arthur a thumbs–up, a grin spreading across his face.

He’d guessed it the moment he saw lan’s reaction.

Patrick honestly didn’t expect lan to dig his heels in for so long and then just out of nowhere say yes to the divorce.

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Chapter 195

It seriously threw him for a loop.

Arthur grinned, “Patrick, how about we set something up tonight–let’s celebrate for Chloe?”

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Patrick gave him a slightly worried look. “Don’t get too excited yet. Let’s wait until they’ve actually got the divorce papers.”

Arthur tugged Patrick into the car. “C’mon, we’ve got nothing else to do–let’s just tail them for a bit.”

Patrick shot him a look. “Watching’s fine, but don’t you go barging in.”

Ian kept his focus on driving, but he couldn’t help noticing that familiar sports car tailing them in his rearview mirror–Arthur and Patrick were really determined not to miss the action.

Instead of trying to shake them off. Ian deliberately slowed down, almost inviting them to stay hot on his

heels.

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