The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102

When Chloe woke up again, it was already evening.

She pushed herself upright despite feeling awful and started sorting through her missed calls and messages.

Finally, she dialed her parents‘ number and called them back.

On the phone, Jill–her mom–immediately sensed that something was wrong. Chloe covered it up, claiming her voice sounded hoarse because she had a cold.

Just then, Ian walked in, so Chloe quickly hung up, making up an excuse.

Chloe thought to herself, ‘Arguing with Ian like this during Lunar New Year–if my parents found out, they’d be worried sick and wouldn’t eat or sleep a wink.’

Ian walked over to the bedside and handed her the mug. “Cora’s made you some pear soup–you should drink a little.”

Chloe glanced at Ian, her expression unreadable, then turned away and closed her eyes, quietly shutting him

out.

Ian set the mug down, bent over to gently help her sit up. “Hey, if you’re going to fight with me, at least have the energy for it.”

Just then, Ian’s phone started ringing.

He shoved the mug into Chloe’s hands. “Cora spent hours simmering this for you–come on, at least try

some.”

Chloe just sat there on the bed, holding the mug, silent and unmoved.

Chloe thought to herself, ‘They call it a fight, but honestly, it’s just me venting and lan completely steamrolling me every single time.’

‘It’s basically a one–woman show–I talk, he shuts it down. He always has the upper hand.

‘I’m totally at his mercy, powerless to do anything but go along and hope things don’t get worse.

‘If he only reacts when I play nice, fine–whatever he says from now on, I’ll just keep my mouth shut and agree!

Ian hesitated for a moment before turning and stepping out to answer the call.

On the balcony, Andrea’s voice came through the phone. “Ian, on New Year’s Eve, you left your wife standing out by the roadside just to spend time with Clint. Your wife didn’t give you a hard time about it, right?”

Ian’s grip tightened around his phone, his brow furrowing. “Andrea, do you need something?”

Andrea sounded a bit rushed. “I’ve got two sets of luxury skincare products from one of our brand partners. I

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Chapter 102

want to give them to Chloe as an apology. Do you want to pick them up, or should I drop them off for her

sometime?”

Ian cut her off. “No, thanks.”

Andrea wasn’t about to let it go. “lan, these are from a luxury brand–the price tag alone is outrageous I’m just a small–time influencer, so honestly, it’d be wasted on me, and I’d feel bad even opening them. You and Chloe have done so much for Clint and me, I really want to give something back as a thank you.”

lan said, “Chloe studied medicine, so she’s extra picky when it comes to skincare. She only trusts professional grade stuff from clinics.”

After a brief, awkward silence on the line, Ian hung up.

When lan came back to the bedroom, Chloe was already curled up in bed.

He stood by her bedside in silence, just watching her back for quite a while.

Without saying anything, he quietly picked up the untouched mug and walked out.

As night settled in, Ian stood alone out on the balcony, a cigarette in hand.

For as long as he could remember, his dad had cheated and fathered a kid outside the family–which meant his parents never stopped fighting.

Home just turned into a war zone–a place he could hardly breathe.

Back then, the last thing he ever wanted was to go home.

He’d once made himself a promise–when he finally got married, he’d be loyal to his wife and his family, no matter what.

No way would he let his parents‘ tragedy repeat itself in his own life.

But now? He was starting to realize things were even messier than what his father went through.

Andrea’s life had been shattered by Edward–all because of him, Ian thought.

He’d claimed Clint as his own to shield Andrea and her son, but that had only put cracks in his marriage with

Chloe.

He was sure–after all, Chloe had loved him for over twenty years–they could get through this together.

But now, everything was spinning out of control.

To make sure their marriage stayed strong, he knew he’d have to use a few tactics.

He believed marriage was something that took real work and effort to keep afloat.

His parents had tied the knot purely for business–love wasn’t even part of the equation–but somehow, they still managed to go through life together.

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After making sure Chloe finished her dinner, lan carried her into the bathroom to wash up, then gently laid her back down in bed.

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Chapter 102

2200

Once Chloe finished tidying up, lan held out his tie. She accepted it wordlessly, poker–faced.

Everything they said and did just felt empty, like a dull routine between two people barely playing their part.

Chloe expertly tied lan’s tie, and was about to walk off when fan suddenly looped his arm around her wais and pulled her in close.

He looked her in the eyes and prompted, “Did you forget something?”

They held each other’s gaze for a beat before Chloe rose up on tiptoes and gave him a brief, almost mechanical kiss.

Not missing her lack of sincerity, Ian pulled her tight and kissed her back, not letting her slip away that easily.

Held tightly in Ian’s arms, Chloe was suddenly gripped by panic, her mind flashing back to those terrifying moments when lan had lost control and overpowered her.

She started to tremble violently, struggling hard to break free. “Don’t touch me!” Chloe cried out.

Their eyes locked–Chloe’s face drained of color, her breathing ragged and strained.

For a second, Ian saw the wild panic and sheer terror in Chloe’s eyes, and a wave of guilt crashed over him.

His heart clenched. Ian hurriedly released her, stumbling back as if burned.

–

At eight on the dot, Chloe arrived arm–in–arm with Ian at the Annual Gala of Grand Horizon Group, her hand tucked naturally into his as they stepped into the glittering venue together.

Tucker Monroe, the CEO of Grand Horizon Group, spotted Ian and rushed over with a big smile. “Mr. Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton, it’s a pleasure to have you both!”

Jan returned the handshake with gentlemanly poise. “You’re too kind, Mr. Monroe.”

Still holding Chloe’s hand, he led her inside, the two of them drawing every eye as they entered.

Chloe watched the crowd of business elites jostling to greet lan, all trying to catch his attention. Without drawing any notice, she let go of his hand, her expression calm and unbothered.

After three years of marriage to lan, she’d seen him become the center of attention everywhere he went These kinds of occasions didn’t faze her anymore; she was already numb to it all.

“Ian!”

A familiar voice rose above the buzz of the crowd.

By the time Chloe could see clearly, Andrea had already made her way right up to lan.