The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Ian set the baby down and strode over to Chloe.

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Chloe got into the car, and Ian picked up his pace, heading straight for her.

As Chloe started the engine, Ian grabbed hold of the window frame and called out, “Chloe!”

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Chloe shot him a sideways glance, then slammed her foot on the gas, making lan stumble back to avoid getting clipped.

Andrea hadn’t been causing her any drama lately, and with Ian constantly trying to please her and always compromising, Chloe had slowly shifted her focus back to her job.

Ian had been playing the part of the perfect homebody recently–always clocking out on time, either waiting for her to come back for dinner or showing up to give her a ride home from the hospital.

Every now and then, he’d test the waters by texting her during work, saying stuff that made zero sense.

Turns out, all of that was just Ian throwing up smoke and mirrors.

Chloe couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh.

For Chloe, all of that was completely unnecessary.

It was late at night in Blue Cove Residences.

Ian parked his car in the lot, but didn’t get out immediately, just sitting there quietly for a while.

He rolled down the window and lit up a cigarette.

The thin smoke drifted around him, partially obscuring his face, making his expression unreadable and deep.

Patrick rolled up in a white sports car and stepped out.

He leaned in through the window, fished out the cigarette pack, and shook one loose. “Hanging around outside your own place, afraid to go home? What’s got you acting so shady tonight?”

Ian exhaled a weary cloud of smoke. “If you’d just stay out of our business, Chloe and I wouldn’t have any problems.”

Patrick snorted twice. “You and Chloe splitting up is only a matter of time. I’ll be here to watch the show.”

Ian glanced over at Patrick, frowning. “As long as you don’t go adding fuel to the fire, that day’s never gonna happen.”

Patrick said, “Everyone’s just waiting to see you and Chloe break up. All that fighting spirit of yours doesn’t mean squat,”

With that, Patrick gave lan a knowing look, then walked toward the apartment building.

11:58 Sat, Oct 4

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Chapter 137

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Ian’s chest tightened with irritation. He opened the car door and got out.

Arthur ambled his way over, suitcase rolling lazily behind him.

When they got to the elevator, lan blocked him. “Go sleep in your own place tonight. Stop mooching off me.”

Arthur pouted, “Not leaving. Deal with it.”

Ian gripped Arthur’s shoulder. “Chloe’s your doctor, not your maid. Don’t get carried away.”

Arthur tugged free. “Try stopping me again and I’ll go tell Chloe you’re bullying me.”

Ian’s face darkened, but he let go.

Watching Arthur strut around like he owned the place, Ian couldn’t stand it.

He said, “Keep this up and I’ll invite Edward over for a visit.”

Arthur’s eyes went wide. “Ian, if you dare drag that old man over here, I’ll kidnap Chloe and take her to Europe. You’ll be left all alone!”

With that, Arthur grumbled under his breath as he stomped into the elevator.

The two guys stood on opposite sides of the elevator–Arthur shooting daggers at Ian, and Ian not backing down, glaring right back at him.

When they hit the ninth floor, the elevator doors slid open.

Ian stepped out. Arthur went to follow, but the moment Ian whipped out his phone, Arthur looked annoyed and jerked his foot back.

Ian waited by the elevator, eyes glued to the numbers as it climbed up and stopped at the eleventh floor, only then did he finally walk away.

When Ian got home, Chloe was still up.

He walked over to her, his eyes locked on her face, searching for any sign of how she was feeling.

She’d caught him with Andrea and Clint tonight, so he knew she had to be upset.

Ian hesitated for a moment, then said, “Chloe, about tonight, I—”

Before lan could get the words out, Chloe’s phone started ringing.

She gave lan a quick “shush” gesture, snatched up her phone, and stepped out onto the balcony to take the

call.

Jan just stood there for a long moment, unsure what to do, before finally heading to the bathroom for a

shower.

When he came out, Chloe was already lying in bed.

11:58 Sat, Oct 4

Chloe kept her eyes closed and said offhandedly, “She’s your woman, and Clint’s your kid. Whatever you do with them, you don’t need to explain anything to me.”

11:59 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 137

Ian stared at Chloe, his brows furrowed.

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He sat down at the edge of the bed, turned Chloe around to face him, and said, “Chloe, how many times do I have to say it? She’s not my woman.”

Chloe fired back, “So, are you at least willing to admit she’s the mother of your kid?”

Ian’s eyes flickered, and he fell silent.

Chloe was completely wiped out, barely hanging on.

She muttered, “Seriously, Ian? You slept with Andrea and have a kid together, but you expect me to believe she’s not your woman? That’s hilarious!”

With that, Chloe flopped down and fell asleep.

Ian rolled onto the bed beside her, and with one long arm, pulled Chloe close, holding her tightly against his chest.

He leaned in, his chin tucked into the hollow of her neck, and said in a low, muffled voice, “At least since Andrea came back, I haven’t laid a finger on her.”

Honestly, there was no way he could explain how Clint came to exist, and even less chance Chloe would ever believe that he’d never slept with Andrea–not once, not ever.

Chloe scooted further under the covers with a look of pure annoyance, muttering, “I don’t buy a single word out of your mouth.”

Chloe’s blatant rejection really set Ian off.

His patience snapped; he threw the covers aside, pulled her straight into his arms, and pressed his lips down. hard on hers.

Chloe screamed in panic, kicking and shoving at Ian with everything she had.

Her reaction made Ian’s face go stormy with anger–beyond pissed, he looked like he might explode.

He caught Chloe’s ankle just as she kicked at his chest, gritting out, “Come on, Chloe, we’re still married. What the hell are you acting like this for?”

Chloe lay in bed, wrapped up tight in the covers like she was trying to hide from the world.

She looked lan straight in the eye and said, “Sure, Andrea might be your precious First Love, but she’s been married already–and anyone who’s cool with being someone’s side chick clearly doesn’t have much in the way of morals. The way you two fool around is honestly pretty gross. What if you end up passing something

onto me?”

Chloe added, “I don’t trust her, and I don’t trust you either. Tomorrow, both of you need to get a full check–up at the hospital. Otherwise, we’re sleeping apart–no negotiation.”

11:59 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 138