The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 119

Chapter 119

lan looked down at Clint, who was clinging to his leg and calling him “Dad,” and his face instantly turned

stormy.

He hadn’t expected Chloe to cross the line like this, actually bringing Andrea and Clint into his home.

Arthur sucked in a nervous breath at the sight of the kid.

He hopped behind Chloe like a startled monkey, pointed at Clint, and blurted out, “Chloe, is this the weird kid your husband had with that freak?”

Chloe shot Mr. Logan a sharp warning look. “Don’t talk nonsense. My husband’s kid’s not ugly at all.

Patrick couldn’t hold it and snorted with laughter.

Andrea held back her frustration, giving Arthur a murderous glare but staying silent.

She nervously checked Ian’s face, then stepped forward and said, “Ian, Mrs. Hamilton asked us over. Hope we’re not bothering you.”

Ian shoved Clint aside, then shot Andrea a piercing, icy glare that flickered across his face.

He turned, grabbed Chloe’s arm, dragging her to the corner, his voice edged with tension. “Chloe, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Chloe let out a little cough. “Come on, it’s just Andrea and Clint. Don’t act like it’s a big deal.

Ian stared Chloe down, refusing to look away for a second, eyes dark and unreadable.

He enunciated every word, his voice low and dangerous. “So, this is the ‘surprise‘ you were talking about?”

Chloe nodded seriously. “Come on, you’ve always had to tiptoe around, worried Edward might catch you sneaking off to see them. Well, I’m Clint’s godmother now. Your kid can walk right up and call you ‘Dad‘ without anyone freaking out about it. No more secrets, no more being afraid someone will overhear.”

Ian’s face was so dark it looked like a thundercloud.

He caught the disbelief flickering in Chloe’s eyes,

He said, “Chloe, do you even realize what you’re doing?”

Chloe patiently reassured him, “Ian, come on–it’s not like Clint hasn’t called you ‘Dad‘ before. If people start asking questions, just tell them he’s my godson. Seriously, just let them think it’s all my idea. No one’s going to blame you.”

Ian snapped, his anger barely contained, “Chloe, I never intended to acknowledge this kid, and I absolutely won’t let anyone know he’s got anything to do with me!”

Chloe let out a sigh.

Chapter 19

She tiptoed up and whispered in his ear, Relax, you don’t have to be so paranoid. I had Andres and line move upstairs so you two could nieet up whenever you want. Even if you’re up there every day, nobody’s going to notice.”

Jan’s chest heaved with anger, his face stormy as he shoved Chloe away.

Chloe glanced back at everyone, then sauntered right up to lan like she couldn’t care less.

She leaned in close, her voice low and steady. “Relax, if anything happens, I’ll take the heat. You just beep being happy. I’ll play the villain if I have to.”

lan shoved Chloe away again.

He nearly ground out the words through clenched teeth, “Chloe, you sure are generous!”

Chloe couldn’t help but smirk.

It wasn’t about being generous.

She was just letting it all go.

Ian looked ready to throw everyone out, but Chloe squared her shoulders, her voice serious. “lan, if I can’t even invite friends over in my own house, then I’ll take them out for dinner instead.”

They stared each other down–Chloe steady and unflinching, while Ian looked like he was one second away from bursting.

Arthur snarked, “Chloe, are you guys seriously a couple?”

Chloe and Ian shot each other a look, both suddenly silent.

Patrick gave Arthur a meaningful look, then glanced over at Andrea and Clint. “Come on, Mr. Hamilton- those two are your real little family.”

Jan stood there, eyes closed, taking a deep breath.

Chloe quickly sent Andrea a look.

Andrea leaned down and whispered something to Clint.

Clint rubbed his belly and called out, “Godmother, I’m hungry”

“Come on, let’s eat!” Chloe chimed in.

Chloe quickly ushered everyone into the dining room.

Seeing Ian still rooted to the spot, Chloe strolled over and looped her arm through his. “Hey, everyone’s already here–let’s just eat first, okay? If you’ve got a problem, we’ll talk it over tonight, just the two of us.

19:05 Fri

Arthur piped up. “The kid’s starving over here–are we actually going to eat or just keep talking?

Patrick said, “You guys can deal with your grown–up stuff later. The kid’s here, so how about you show a little hospitality?”

No matter what, she was hell–bent on making sure Ian admitted in front of everyone that Clint was really his kid–his ‘Dad‘ and all.

Ian sat there, his expression unreadable, but his hand clamped down on Chloe’s wrist in silence.

Ian looked up and met Chloe’s eyes. “Chloe, I’m not okay with this.”

With Ian flat–out rejecting the arrangement in front of everyone, Andrea stood there, totally awkward—not sure whether to sit or stand, feeling like she wished she could just disappear.

19:05 Fri, Oct 3

Chapter 119

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Patrick waved Andrea and Clint over to grab a seat, then couldn’t help tossing out, “Why are you making much a fuss? The kid’s already called you ‘Dad‘ a bunch of times–no big deal

lan nearly choked on his outrage, feeling like Patrick’s words could give him a stroke.

He shot Patrick a deadly glare and snapped, “Shut up.”

Patrick just met Ian’s glare with a smirk of pure defiance.

Arthur piped up, all snark, “Chloe, did Andrea seriously pull a fast one on your husband? I’m just saying, this weird little guy doesn’t look anything like Ian. You sure someone’s not messing around behind his back?”

Chloe shot Ian a quick look.

Ian’s glare at Arthur was downright lethal. “You shut up too.”

Andrea’s palms were already slick with sweat as she clenched her fists.

‘What a little bastard,‘ she cursed to herself.

‘God, this guy’s eyes are killer–so damn sharp,‘ Andrea thought.

‘Seriously? He can tell Clint isn’t Ian’s real son just by looking?‘

Patrick’s gaze swept across everyone’s faces, but he stayed quiet–there was no way he was going to expose the truth in front of the whole crowd.

Chloe saw Ian about to blow his top and flip the table, so she hurried in: “Ian, you’re my husband! If my godson can’t call you ‘Dad,‘ what do you want him to do–call someone else ‘Dad‘ instead?”

Ian gave Chloe a fierce warning glare. “You can’t claim him either.”

Arthur pulled Chloe up and grinned. “Hey Chloe, why don’t you be the godmother and I’ll be the godfather? Let’s have the kid do the whole godparent thing for us!”