Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Chloe just said “sure” and went off to wash up.

Ian sat at the edge of the bed by himself, looking all moody, lost in his own head for ages.

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It was a holiday morning and neither of them were in a hurry to go out. They wandered quietly around the house, each doing their own thing, not exchanging a single word.

The place was huge, but with only the two of them there, the air was thick with tension, making it hard to breathe.

Just as Chloe was about to head out, Ian finally broke the silence.

“Your mom’s getting discharged tomorrow, and New Year’s is just two days away. I’ll come with you to the mall this afternoon–we should get something for your folks,” he said.

Chloe nodded and opened the front door.

Ian stopped her, his face cold. “Chloe, did you forget something–again?”

Chloe paused at the door, a little thrown off. ‘What did I miss now?‘ she wondered.

Realizing what Ian meant, Chloe walked over, rose up on her tiptoes, and gave him a kiss–quick and almost perfunctory.

Anyone could tell her kiss was half–hearted, more like she was obliged to do it, checking off some relationship task.

Before Ian even had a chance to react, Chloe turned and walked straight out the door.

The front door remained open. Ian stood inside, silently watching as Chloe disappeared into the elevator.

He couldn’t really say exactly what was off, but Chloe’s attitude right now seriously rubbed him the wrong

way.

His phone rang, snapping him out of his thoughts.

It was nearly ten in the morning when Ian showed up at the rented place where Andrea was staying.

Jan scanned the living room. “I thought you said Clint was hurt? Where is he?”

Andrea hurried to explain, “Clint isn’t just hurt–he’s still pretty shaken. He cried all night, Carl smashed his water gun to pieces, and since early this morning he’s been freaking out over it. My mom took him out first thing to try to settle him down.”

Ian hesitated for a moment, then reminded Andrea, “You can’t spoil kids too much. If you do, they’ll be a handful when they grow up.”

Andrea lowered her eyes, looking a bit guilty. “lan, you can’t really blame Clint. I just tried to say hi to your

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wife, but she shot me a glare. He’s just to pedite, and that’s how the winde mwandertending baggmont

far’s face darkened, his tone unreadable “Andres, iuxkk Clint in to make up for what I did to you back then. to keep you both safe. You knew my wife masendered the whole thing, I’ve warned you belie–way was from her. Even if you run into each other, there’s no need to say hel

Andrea stood before tan, dearly anxious from head to toe

She steeled herself to explain, Tan, you’re misunderstanding me. We just bumped into each other in the hallway, and I only greeted her out of courtesy. Ben her brother was ridictory end ward Clint and me He actually hit Clint and picked him up as if he might hurt him–he was like a tool monster, servonly wary

Jan’s expression grew more impatient. “Andrea, Carfs my brother–in–law. Be careful how you walk out his

Ian suddenly turned on Andrea out of nowhere, catching her completely off guard.

He didn’t hesitate to go against the Irvines for me before, and now he’s suddenly delenting them hadres thought

Andrea kept her poker face, squeezing out a smile. “Sorry, Jan. Guess I just don’t know how to talk sometimes -I just wanted to set the scene

Andrea backed down, and fan didn’t press her further. “Since Clint’s not around, I’ll get going

Andrea didn’t try to stop him–in fact, she seemed eager for him to leave. “Sorry about this, lan. If I’d realized Clint was using my phone to call you, I would’ve put a stop to it.”

She walked lan to the door. “Tan, now that your wife’s home and you two have finally made up, it’s best if you don’t come by anymore–even if Clint calls you. Unless it’s really urgent, I won’t bother you again”

lan gave a quiet “hm” and stepped into the elevator.

Ever since Chloe stormed off overseas in the middle of their messy split, Andrea had packed up and moved out to Southford, guilt tugging at her the whole time.

She was a single mom doing it all on her own–work, life, raising Clint–and she flat–out refused any of lan’s money. Other than the occasional favor, like asking fan to pick Clint up, she kept herself out of his life as much as possible.

Andrea went out of her way to avoid crossing any lines, making sure she stayed clear of lan and Chloe’s marriage.

Tan kept telling himself, if he just gave Chloe enough space and time, she’d eventually come around to Andrea and Clint being part of his world–and maybe then, all these problems would sort themselves out.

As evening, rolled around, lan swung by the hospital to pick up Chloe, and the two of them headed off to the mall.

While Chloe was in the women’s section, picking out a puffer coat for her mom, lan tagged along with the cart, tossing, in his thoughts every now and then.

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Chapter 89

They looked so well–matched that people passing by couldn’t help but stare at them with envy.

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Chloe picked up a scarf and was about to see what fan thought, but spotted him standing a few steps away. talking on his phone.

Keeping a blank face, Chloe quietly put the scarf back and simply waited where she was.

Once lan was off the phone, he walked over to Chloe. He said, “Clint’s water gun got busted. I’m heading to the toy section to get him another one. I’ll come find you in a bit.”

Chloe stayed silent, ‘Whatever.‘

Ian didn’t bother to ask for her thoughts and went straight off toward the toy section.

Chloe looked up and took a deep breath.

She felt suffocated, but her mind was clear.

A few minutes later, Chloe headed over to the kids‘

toy section.

She stood behind a display rack, watching Ian from afar as he searched through the toys.

Chloe whipped out her phone, zoomed in, and snapped a photo.

She scrolled through her contacts, found the number she wanted, and sent off two photos.

Then, bold as brass, Chloe placed the call. “Get these two photos viral and plastered all over the hot news feeds before tonight.”

When Ian came back, he found Chloe still in the women’s section, looking at coats.

He walked over, took the white puffer from her, and picked out a modern Chinese–style one in deep red. “Since Mom just got out of the hospital, red feels more festive.”

Chloe glanced at Ian and nodded. “Sure, let’s go with the red one.”

They spent over an hour wandering around the mall, and by the time they got home, it was already past

seven.

They’d barely set their bags down when lan’s phone rang–it was Mitchell.

Once he hung up, Jan opened the screenshots Mitchell had sent him and gave Chloe a sharp look. “Did you leak these two photos to the press?”

If it was just the mall photo, lan couldn’t be sure it was Chloe who leaked it.

But the other shot was definitely snapped while he was picking Clint up from kindergarten.

He remembered that day crystal clear–Chloe had just come back to town, and they’d bumped into each other near the school. She’d quietly taken a photo from a distance, wanting to keep it as evidence.

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Chapter 89

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Chloe didn’t even bother to deny it. She shrugged and said, “Maybe I slipped and hit send by mistake. Wasn’t trying to cause trouble, honestly.”

They stared each other down, and lan saw right through her–she’d done it on purpose.

His face went cold as he pressed her, “Chloe, what exactly are you up to?”

Chloe shoved her phone right in lan’s face, the caller ID lighting up. “Don’t even think about blowing up at me–better figure out how you’re gonna keep your grandpa from going nuclear first.”

She hadn’t even finished speaking when the doorbell rang.

Thomas Quinn, the butler from Hamilton Manor, stood ramrod straight at the doorway. “Tan, Chloe, Mr. Edward wants you both back at the manor. Right now.”

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