Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Ian and Chloe’s eyes met in silence. After only a brief glance, Chloe turned away.

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Over the past few days, she had hidden away in a shabby inn, trapped in a cycle of crying, sleeping, eating, vomiting. Not once had lan called or sent a single message.

She had thought she was finally beginning to heal after enduring that living hell, but the sight of Ian holding Andrea so tenderly in the elevator made her heart ache again. At least Mom is out of the hospital now. I can finally divorce him.‘

Ian’s gaze sharpened as he took in Chloe’s thin, haggard appearance. ‘How did she become so worn–out in just a few days?‘

As more people crowded into the elevator, he withdrew his gaze and pulled Andrea closer. Chloe held her parents back, explaining that it was too crowded, and stopped them from entering.

After Chloe accompanied her parents home, she did not hurry to leave. Frank went out to buy groceries to cook for them. Jill drew Chloe into the bedroom for a private talk.

“Chloe, be honest with me, have you and Ian been fighting?” A mother knew her daughter best, and Jill had clearly noticed how utterly worn–out Chloe had looked these past few days.

Chloe’s tears began to fall, frightening Jill. “Chloe,” she asked gently, her own heart sinking, “did Ian do something to hurt you?”

She knew her daughter too well. Chloe had always loved Ian more than herself. Nothing else could have broken Chloe so completely except Ian’s betrayal.

Chloe didn’t answer. Instead, she buried herself in Jill’s arms and sobbed uncontrollably. As a woman, and as Chloe’s mother, Jill understood immediately. She held Chloe tightly and began to cry with her.

When Chloe finally cried herself out, she slowly pulled herself together and met her mother’s eyes. “Mom, the woman he has always loved is back. I want a divorce.”

Jill wiped away her tears, her voice soft with compassion. “Whatever you decide to do, your father and I will stand by you,” she said, pulling Chloe into a warm, reassuring embrace.

When they walked out of the room, Chloe found Frank standing by the door, his eyes red and his hand trembling. This once proud and steady man spoke in a broken voice, “This is all my fault. I’ve failed you.”

If the Irvine family hadn’t fallen, he would never have allowed his daughter to suffer this way. But for years, they had depended on Ian’s support, so Frank had to bow his head. He didn’t even have the courage to demand an explanation for his daughter’s pain.

That night, Chloe stayed at her parents‘ house instead of going back home. When Ian returned and found Chloe absent, he wasn’t surprised.

‘She has always been a devoted daughter. Her mother has just come home from the hospital. It makes sense for her to stay with Jill,’ he thought.

lan called Hamilton Manor to let them know Chloe had returned safely so they would stop worrying. The moment Miranda and Mia heard the news, they rushed over right away, only to find that Chloe wasn’t there after all.

Jan explained calmly, “Her mother was discharged from the hospital today. She decided to stay at her parents‘ house to keep them company for a while.

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Miranda was so furious that she raised her hand to slap him, but stopped herself at the last moment. “lan, your mother–in–law was just discharged. Shouldn’t you have been there to help?”

Ian still thought there was no need. “Mom, Chloe’s parents are reasonable people. They won’t blame me.”

Even though the Irvine family had gone bankrupt and could no longer support Ian’s career, Chloe’s parents were kind, sensible, and never made unreasonable demands. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t hate them.

Mia was furious. “Ian, how can you be so heartless? Chloe was missing for days and just came back. The least you could do is go see her and explain yourself. Isn’t this what a husband should do?”

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Chapter 9

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Ian replied, “Don’t worry about it. She’ll come back on her own when she’s ready.” His tone was casual, almost unconcerned, as though the matter required no further attention.

Miranda was beside herself with anger. “Ian, you’re just as cold and heartless as your father. The only reason I never divorced him was because I couldn’t bear to leave you and Mia behind. And I’ve regretted that choice for decades.”

She added, her voice sharp with warning, “But you may not be as lucky as he was. You and Chloe have no children. If her love for you fades, there will be nothing left to hold her here. Keep being this indifferent, and let’s see if she stays.”

Ian’s tone was utterly certain. “Mom, don’t exaggerate. Chloe would never divorce me.” He remembered her wedding vow clearly. She had said she would rather die than give up on him. Mia rolled her eyes in anger.

*****

After leaving her son’s house, Miranda went to the Irvine home to bring Chloe back. Jill and Frank received her with polite respect, but firmly declined to let Chloe leave with her.

Mia took Chloe’s hand and pleaded earnestly, “Chloe, Ian knows he was wrong. Please come back with us.” She added with a hint of desperate humor, “I’ll even make Mom slap him if it’ll make you feel better.”

Chloe had originally intended to divorce lan without involving his parents. But since Miranda had come personally, she decided it was time to be clear.

Guiding Mia to sit down, she spoke calmly but firmly to Miranda, “Miranda, my mind is made up. I want a divorce from Ian.”

As soon as Chloe finished her words, Miranda’s face turned pale. Mia jumped to her feet in a panic. “Chloe, I know Ian has been a complete idiot, but you two have been together for so many years. Please don’t make a decision like this when you’re upset.”

Chloe felt a bitter ache in her heart. ‘It’s true we’ve known each other for years, but it was always just me loving him.‘ Then she spoke with resolve, “I’ve made my decision. There’s no need to try and change my mind.”

Jill’s eyes were still swollen from crying, but she spoke to Miranda without resentment. “Miranda, we will always be grateful for everything lan has done for us over the years. But since Ian’s heart belongs to someone else now, it’s better to let them divorce before there are children involved.”

Miranda said nothing as she left the Irvines. She had endured her own husband’s betrayal in her youth and understood better than anyone the agony that made you wish you were dead.

But for the sake of her two children and the stability of both families, Miranda had forced herself to endure it all.

When she found out Shane’s affair, he immediately cut off all contact with the other woman. He didn’t even dare to acknowledge the bastard child and returned to the family. But the coldness in his nature never truly changed.

The men of the Hamilton family were calculating, seeing only power and profit. They were always calm, always scheming. Edward Hamilton was that way. Shane Hamilton was that way. And Ian Hamilton, the son she had raised, was no exception.

She had watched Chloe grow up. Chloe was still so young, and all she wanted was for Chloe to be happy. As a woman who understood heartache, she felt Chloe should be free to leave. But as a mother, she couldn’t bear to watch her son’s marriage fall apart.

Feeling helpless, Miranda returned to Ian’s house. Finding him still awake, she allowed herself a flicker of hope. “Tomorrow is the weekend. Bring some gifts and come with me to the Irvines. Apologize to Chloe’s parents, explain everything properly, and bring her back home.”

Ian had been struggling with insomnia for days and looked utterly worn out. “Mom, I’ll work things out with Chloe in my own way,” he said, his voice heavy with fatigue, “Just try not to worry so much.”

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Mia stamped her foot in urgency, her voice rising with panic. “Ian, Chloe is serious about divorcing you. If you don’t do something now, you’re going to lose her for good.”

A flicker of tension crossed lan’s face. But then his expression smoothed over into calm again. “Mia, you’re not a child anymore. Stop spreading nonsense.”