Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

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Chloe knew how much Ian loved Andrea, but hearing Andrea say it out loud still felt like a punch to the gut.

Seeing Chloe’s face fall, Andrea spoke with forced sympathy. “Ian told me he can’t offer you love or a child. All he has left for you is the title of Mrs. Hamilton. He begged me not to leave because he pities you, and he’s afraid it’ll be embarrassing if things get ugly.”

Chloe stood still, barely holding herself together.

Andrea feigned innocence. “We’re both women. I don’t want to make this harder for you, but for the sake of Clint, I hope you’ll step away from Ian. Clint deserves a father and a family.”

Chloe kept her composure. “If Ian loves you and your child so much, he’ll make it official for both of you sooner or later. There’s no need to rush, Ms. Sherman.”

With that, she turned and headed for the apartment building.

Andrea suddenly grabbed Chloe’s arm. She lowered her voice, venom in her words. “Ms. Irvine, clinging to the title of Mrs. Hamilton won’t get you anywhere. Ian loves me, not you. You’re just the third wheel messing things up between us.”

Chloe tried to shake Andrea off, but Andrea just gripped her tighter. “The night I came back, Ian slept with me. He said every time he slept with you, his mind was always on me.”

Chloe yanked her arm free and slapped Andrea across the face. She’d always known Ian wasn’t faithful, but Andrea throwing it in her face made her snap. All her self–control went out the window.

Andrea shrieked and fell to the ground.

Seconds later, Ian came running over. “Andrea!”

He dropped to a crouch, inspecting her leg before helping her up.

Andrea burst into tears and collapsed into Ian’s arms. “Ian, I’m sorry. I just couldn’t get out of the way in time.”

Ian helped Andrea up, shooting Chloe a cold glare. “Chloe, I’ve warned you before. Stay away from Andrea. This is your last warning.”

Chloe snapped, “If your eyes are that bad, get a doctor. I swear I didn’t hurt her.”

The hurt in Chloe’s eyes stopped lan in his tracks. He was speechless for a moment.

“Ian, my leg hurts so much. Can you please carry me upstairs?” Andrea cried, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Ian bent down and picked Andrea up, throwing a quick look over his shoulder at Chloe before stepping into the elevator.

Chloe stood there, her heart numb, watching lan walk away with Andrea.

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Chapter 42

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Trying not to focus on the stabbing pain inside, she pulled up her sleeve and stared at the bloody marks Andrea’s nails had scratched into her skin.

She wiped her tears, fixed her makeup, and went upstairs to visit David.

She was ready to sell her jewelry and divorce lan. She couldn’t wait another second.

Meanwhile, lan carried Andrea upstairs, and Linda rushed over to treat her injured knee.

Andrea threw herself onto the couch, bawling. “Ian, I didn’t think Mrs. Hamilton would barge in here. She said this house is your marital property and told me to pack up and leave.

“No matter how I tried to explain, she just wouldn’t believe me. She called me a homewrecker and said she went through hell just to marry you, swearing she’d never give you up no matter what. Then she said Clint would always be just your bastard kid.

“I only tried to tell her there’s nothing between us anymore. I came back for Clint and wasn’t planning to ruin your marriage. But she wouldn’t listen. She slapped me and swore she’d wipe me and Clint off the face of the earth.”

*****

She noticed Ian seemed distracted, his mind elsewhere.

She clung to his arm and cried, “Ian, I’m so scared. What will happen to me and Clint?”

Ian gently pulled away. “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, Kingsford will always have a place for you and Clint.

He comforted Andrea briefly and then left in a hurry.

He knew Chloe couldn’t really end things with him.

She kept wavering, even putting Jill’s jewelry up for sale and threatening divorce. But deep down, he knew she was just testing him.

Around eight that night, Chloe sat alone in her room, deep in thought.

Her phone kept buzzing. She saw lan’s name and declined the call.

Then a text from him popped up. Jan: [You have five minutes. If you’re not downstairs by then, I’m coming up to get you.]

The TV in the living room was blaring. Chloe stood there, conflicted. Then she got up and changed.

Frank and Jill had been nothing but kind and supportive since she moved back in, never complaining. But she could tell they were hurting inside. She couldn’t let lan come here again and add to their worries.

Chloe said she was going out for drinks and then crossed the street to wait opposite her apartment building.

Ian rolled down his window. “Get in.”

13:22 Thu, Oct 2

Chapter 42

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Chloe hesitated and then got into the passenger seat. “What do you want? Just spit it out.”

Ian’s gaze locked onto Chloe’s cold expression. “Aren’t you the one who wants a divorce? Then why are you still giving Andrea a hard time?”

Chloe didn’t feel like arguing. Just divorce me and I promise I won’t bother her anymore.”

Ian asked. “And if I don’t divorce you?”

Chloe said, “Then I have every right to deal with Andrea and her son.”

Ian’s voice turned steely. “Andrea and Clint may be at a disadvantage, but they’ve got me. Whatever happens, I’m responsible for them.”

He paused and then spoke, “But Chloe, what about your parents? They’re just ordinary people. Who do they have to protect them? Just you?”

Chloe felt as if she’d been stabbed through the heart. A chill and a pang gripped her chest.

After being her childhood sweetheart for over twenty years, now, because of another woman, he wasn’t just threatening her but her parents, too.

Ian issued one last icy warning. “This is your final reminder. Stay away from Andrea. If you cross that line again, you’ll deal with the consequences yourself.”

Chloe lifted her chin, stubbornly holding back tears. “Ian, as long as you divorce me, I swear I won’t cause them any trouble.”

Ian grabbed her wrist. “Chloe, stop using divorce as a threat to test my limits. I know you’re not really ready to end things. I’ve let you get away with your drama lately, but it’s time you learned to deal with Andrea and Clint. I expect you to get along with them.”

His eyes locked onto hers, watching every flicker of emotion. “Tomorrow, I’m leaving for Marlovia on business for a week. When I come back, I want you to have moved back into our home and remember your place.