Chapter 52
Ian’s calm analysis sent Chloe over the edge again.
He’d chased her all the way abroad, still trying to convince her to put up with Andrea and Clint.
i。(61.
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Chloe shoved lan hard, her face contorted with anger. “Ian, in the three years I’ve been married to you, you meticulously recorded every cent you’ve given to the Irvine family in your accounts. That’s the real truth.”
Ian’s heart clenched. He stepped forward, grabbed Chloe’s wrists, and held her tight, not letting her get away.
He tried to speak, but no words came.
Chloe’s eyes filled with tears as she struggled to break free. “You’re so ruthless with me, always talking about what’s real, but you shower Andrea and Clint with all your love. How can you be so fake?” she cried.
Ignoring Chloe’s struggle, Ian held her waist with one hand and steadied her with the other, keeping her close.
He tried to change the subject to calm her down. “We haven’t seen each other in a week. Can we just drop this for now?”
Chloe pressed her hands against Ian’s chest, tears streaming down her face. But for the first time, her voice was steady and firm.
She said, “Ian, I can’t stand this any longer. Knowing you care for another woman, or that you have a child with her, is just too much. Seeing you always defend her, without caring how much it hurts me, is killing me. I even sold the precious jewelry my grandma left to my mom, just to get away from you. Doesn’t that show how determined I am?”
Ian gently rubbed Chloe’s back, his voice soothing. “Chloe, I know you’ve been hurt. Tomorrow, come home with me. If there’s anything you want, just let me know. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
But Chloe lost it, thrashing in his arms. “There’s only one thing I want. I want a divorce!”
Ian flung the bedroom door open behind Chloe, scooped her into his arms, and marched straight in.
He set her down on the edge of the bed, holding her there firmly.
He knelt by her legs, his gaze locked on hers. “Chloe, we’ve been married for three years. Don’t you trust me at all?”
Chloe turned her face away from lan, refusing to meet his eyes. “The moment you started lying to me for Andrea and Clint, any trust we had flew out the window.”
Ian stood up, feeling completely drained, both emotionally and mentally.
He took off his suit jacket and walked over to Chloe. “Looks like we’re at an impasse. Let’s just get some rest and talk about it tomorrow.”
Chloe jumped to her feet. “Ian, you can’t seriously be thinking of staying here, can you?”
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Chapter 52
Ian’s face darkened even more. “We’re married. Of course, we’re supposed to live togiver
Chloe pointed toward the bedroom door. “Why don’t you go sleep with your dream girl instead? Don’t salty my bed!”
Before Chloe could say another word, lan made his move. He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifents her off the floor, her feet dangling in the air.
His voice remained calm and composed. “So, do you want to rest in bed on your own, or do I need to carry you there like this? The choice is yours.”
Chloe, furious beyond reason, pounded on Ian. “If you try to force me, I’d rather die than go along with in
Ian gently laid Chloe down on the bed and tucked her in. I know you’re mad at me right now, but I’m not that much of a jerk. I won’t force you.”
When it came to intimacy, it had to be mutual. Both of them had to be willing
He wanted her, but forcing her was never an option.
Ian reached over and switched off the bedside lamp. Then he lay down next to Chloe, pulling her into his arms with the blanket still between them.
He leaned his head closer to hers and muttered, “Stop fussing and let me get some sleep.”
No matter how hard Chloe tried to wriggle free, Ian kept his eyes shut, not saying a word and holding on tight.
Eventually, Chloe exhausted herself and gave up.
After three years of sharing the same bed, they’d tried every possible way, so there really wasn’t anything left
to be embarrassed about.
Chloe lay on the bed as stiff as a board, her eyes wide open and too angry to sleep, no matter how hard she tried.
Since childhood, every time Chloe and Jan fought, he had only two ways of making peace.
He’d either drag her into bed, trying to resolve things with some physical affection, or he’d flash gifts at her, hoping to buy her off.
Even now, when she was literally asking for a divorce, he still pulled the same stubborn routine.
He’d always be the one to bring up the issue, and sure enough, he’d be the first to dodge it when things got tough.
The more Chloe thought about it, the angrier she got. Frustrated, she got out of bed, unwilling to just lie
there.
When she saw that Ian hadn’t moved, Chloe leaned over, letting the dim light from the window illuminate his face.
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Chapter 52
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But seeing him sleep soundly, as if nothing could bother him, made her even angrier.
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The next morning, Chloe found herself on the couch. As she headed to the bathroom, Ian was just finishing up and stepping out.
Chloe kept her expression cold, not even looking at him. “If you’re awake, just get out.”
Ian leaned against the sink, catching Chloe’s eyes in the mirror. “Mrs. Venn’s 80th birthday party is in two days. She invited you personally. You’re coming back with me.”
Chloe turned off the faucet and grabbed a towel. “I have work. I don’t have time for that.”
lan hesitated, and then said, “If you really want to get back to work, I can help you get a job at a hospital when we return. I promise my grandpa won’t interfere anymore.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “Ian, I’m done relying on you just so you can control me.”
“Call me when you’re ready to finalize the divorce. You’ve got your work and Andrea to take care of. Stop wasting your time on me,” Chloe said coldly.
Ian’s patience snapped. “Chloe, I’m bringing you home because I owe it to our marriage. Don’t push this too far. I’m giving you an easy way out, so take it.”
Chloe stood her ground. “From now on, I want nothing to do with you, Ian. Keep your easy way out. I don’t need it.”
“Don’t forget to lock the door when you leave,” Chloe reminded him.
She gave him one last glance, brushed past his protests, grabbed her things, and left for work.
The hospital where Chloe worked was just a short walk from her apartment.
She spent the entire day there, not even going home for lunch.
Ian sent her a message, but she didn’t reply.
She knew he was busy and wouldn’t be hanging around her all day.
When Chloe finally left work that evening, she saw a group of her colleagues crowded around, clearly excited about something.
As she walked over, she was surprised to see lan in the center of their attention.
He was dressed sharply, speaking fluent Tecnovian, and introducing himself to her colleagues as her husband.
Spotting Chloe, lan didn’t hesitate. He pushed through the crowd and walked straight to her. Without a word, he took her bag off her shoulder.
Chloe kept her cool in front of her coworkers. She just nodded at them and got into lan’s car.
As the car drove onto the overpass, Chloe spoke up, calm and collected, “Let me out here.”
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Chapter 52
Ian paused. Then he pulled over and got out of the car with her.
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They stood on the overpass, the city lights twinkling below. Chloe glanced down and glared at fan. “So why are you still here?”
Without hesitation, lan took out her wedding ring, grabbed her wrist firmly, and slipped the ring onto her finger with a determined look.
He met her gaze, his eyes unwavering. “If you want to stay here for your further studies, I’ll support you. But divorce? No way. I won’t let that happen.”
Chloe yanked her hand back. Then, without hesitation, she tore the ring off her finger and threw it off the bridge as hard as she could.
Ian’s heart lurched. His chest tightened, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
He reached out instinctively, his voice cracking. “Chloe, no!”
The diamond ring caught the night light, flashed once, and then it was gone, swallowed by the darkness, leaving no trace.
With the ring gone, everything between them fell silent.

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