The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 108

Chloe and Jan locked eyes in silence.

Chloe looked quietly at lan, her face calm, with a slight smile on her lips.

From when she first learned to speak, through her bright teenage years, her first crush, all the way to marrying him.

Calling him ‘Ian‘ had been woven into every year of her youth.

Their whole story began with that one word, and now, that’s exactly where it ends.

Through her blurred vision, Chloe could almost see her younger, naive self, approaching step by step, clutching a dagger.

With a twisted smile, that former Chloe plunged the blade into her heart and asked coldly, “Is it deep enough?”

Chloe closed her eyes, her brows furrowing in pain.

She answered herself silently, ‘Deep enough. Hurts enough.

‘But there won’t be a next time. Never again,‘ Chloe told herself.

Ian stared at Chloe, completely stunned.

Seeing her pale face and the tears rolling down her cheeks, a sharp pain suddenly stabbed at his chest.

Each time she spoke–every ‘congratulations,‘ every gentle ‘lan‘-it was like another cut, each word like a blade etching itself into his heart, deep and heavy, until it felt like his soul was bleeding.

Andrea watched as Ian, like he was under some kind of spell, started walking toward Chloe, his steps both hesitant and desperate.

She struggled free from the bodyguard’s grip and rushed over to block his way.

Andrea hurried to Ian’s side, blocking his view of Chloe, “lan, what are we supposed to do? You were just trying to help me out, so how did things get so messed up?”

Andrea’s sobs brought lan back to reality.

He forced down the unfamiliar feelings inside and comforted Andrea. “Andrea, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, you’ll be safe.”

Hearing Ian’s reassurance, Andrea finally felt her heart calm down.

Andrea purposefully made her way to Chloe, eyes brimming with wounded innocence, and apologized, “I’m really sorry, Mrs. Hamilton. Please, this was all my fault–I must have caused the misunderstanding. If you’re angry, let it out on me. Just… I beg you, don’t let any of this hurt what you.and Ian have together.”

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Chapter 108

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Chloe took a steadying breath and kept her tone as gentle as possible, her gaze fixed on Andrea. Me Sherman, do you love lan?”

For a few seconds, Andrea was stunned–she’d never expected Chloe to just ask her that, especially with everyone watching. For a heartbeat, she couldn’t make herself speak, feeling the silence stretch uncomfortably around her.

Ian was the most handsome, elite, and gentlemanly guy Andrea had ever come across. Smart, born into the kind of family most people could only dream about–every woman would’ve fallen for him in a heartbeat.

But Ian had made it crystal clear to her–what he felt was just sympathy, maybe a bit of guilt, but that was all history now.

He’d more than once tested her reactions, dropping warnings and making sure she understood the boundaries.

With Ian still married, and the old fossils from the Hamilton family sitting right here, there was no way she could ever admit it.

Andrea glanced anxiously at Ian, her voice barely above a whisper. “Ian, what about your wife…”

Ian’s expression was stormy with anger, his face so tense you could almost feel the chill in the air.

He stepped up to Chloe, meeting her gaze. “If there’s a problem, it’s all because of me. Andrea’s not to blame”

Chloe shot Ian a look, then locked her eyes on Andrea.

She said, “Ms. Sherman, since you won’t give me an answer, it’s basically an admission. You love lan, and the two of you are really in love, aren’t you?”

Ian grabbed Chloe’s wrist, his voice low and urgent. “Chloe, that’s enough!”

Chloe brushed off his hand and walked right up to Edward. “Grandpa, they’re in love–and they already have a child together. Please, let them have what they want.”

When Edward just sat there silent, Chloe dropped to her knees in front of him. “Grandpa, I’m begging you- please, give them your blessing!”

Ian wouldn’t dare file for divorce, and he definitely couldn’t bring himself to talk about marrying Andrea- not when he was still doing everything to protect Andrea and her son.

So seeing all this, Chloe decided–fine, she’d just help them get together herself.

Watching Chloe desperately kneel before Edward, her plea hanging in the air, lan felt a dull ache grip his

heart.

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Hiding behind Patrick, Mia mustered up her courage and blurted out, “lan, I’m begging you–if you love Andrea this much, just let Chloe go. Mom’s already on your side!”

Ian spun around and snapped at Mia, his voice raw. “Shut up!”

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Chapter 108

Mia shrank back, her heart pounding with fear.

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Patrick pulled Mia off to the side. “I’ve got something to take care of, so I’m heading out. Watch over everything here for me.”

He threw lan a quick glance, phone pressed to his car, and strode straight out of The Old Hamilton Manor

Ian clung to the armrest of the sofa, his hand visibly shaking.

When he looked at Chloe, his eyes were filled with panic and confusion, and his voice wavered.

He choked out, “I won’t get divorced, never! Not ever!”

As soon as Ian said that, Andrea’s face went completely stiff.

Even after everything that’s happened, Ian still refused to divorce her.

‘I’ve been gone for six years, and he must’ve totally fallen for that bitch Chloe, Andrea thought bitterly.

He just couldn’t bring himself to let go, and he didn’t dare.

He’s terrified of losing her, that’s why he won’t file for divorce.

Shane glanced at Edward. “Dad, what do you think we should do?”

Edward sat there in silence for a long moment before finally letting out a heavy, weary sigh.

He fixed his gaze on Ian and said, “Alright, since you’ve made your choice, I’ll do this for the child’s sake–one last chance. It’s Andrea and her son, or Chloe. Choose one, and let the other go.”

AD