The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 140

Chapter 140

After Mitchell left, Ian lingered alone on the balcony, chain–smoking as he tried to clear his head.

The woman who attacked Andrea wasn’t Chloe’s colleague.

He had misunderstood her.

But she hadn’t even tried to explain herself.

‘Chloe’s eyes, rimmed red with injustice, kept haunting me,‘ Ian thought, his chest tightening like he could barely breathe.

It was late at night.

Ian lingered alone outside the bedroom door, silently pacing and hesitating, his hand hovering but never quite having the nerve to push it open.

Chloe woke up on time, washed up, and slipped into fresh clothes.

As she opened her door without thinking, she nearly jumped out of her skin–Ian was standing right outside.

Chloe patted her chest, giving Ian a look, and said, “Seriously? Standing here, super quiet, first thing in the morning–are you sick or something?”

Ian locked his eyes on Chloe, his stare heavy with emotion.

He stepped forward, his arms reaching out almost on instinct to draw Chloe into a tight embrace.

Chloe tensed in surprise, her body instinctively trying to pull away from Ian’s sudden hug.

Ian spoke in a low, hesitant voice, sounding guilty, “I accused you wrongly last night. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

With every ounce of strength, Chloe managed to break free from Ian’s arms.

She looked him straight in the eye and said, “If you hadn’t believed Andrea, would you have accused me like that right away?”

Their gazes locked, and a pang hit Ian right in the chest.

He tried to take her hand, but Chloe immediately stepped back, escaping his reach.

Chloe said, her voice icy and decisive, “lan, don’t act all fake with me. I don’t love you anymore. You can’t hurt me, not now. Your hugs, your comfort–they mean nothing to me anymore. I don’t need any of it.”

The cold resolve–the wall Chloe threw up between them–struck lan right in the chest, stealing his breath away

He took a big stride forward, gripping Chloe’s shoulders tightly.

11:59 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 140

:

86

E55 vouchers

Looking deep into her eyes, Ian pleaded, “Chloe, we’re supposed to be the couple who stand by each other’s side for life. Can you please not say things like that anymore?”

Chloe stood in front of Ian, unusually calm.

She said, her voice steady and cold, “Ian, there’s no companionship between us, no mutual support, and we’re not husband and wife.”

Ian lost it a little, gripping Chloe’s shoulders as he demanded, “Why do you say that?”

Chloe pushed Ian away hard.

She stepped back, her voice sharp. “We’re nothing.”

Chloe met Ian’s gaze and said, “You cheated on our marriage, lied to me, and spent every night and day sticking by the woman you actually love. You and Andrea are the true partners–always there for each other.”

She went on, “After the Irvine family collapsed, Edward tore you and Andrea apart. You didn’t choose me because you loved me. You married me because I was the only option left–just a backup plan.”

Chloe insisted, “You count every cent you ever spent on me or my family, always putting pressure on me, drawing lines I can’t cross, just for Andrea’s sake. Everything between us feels like you’re taking from me, never actually giving. With Andrea, you give freely, never expecting payback–that’s what real support looks like.”

She added coldly, “We’re not a real couple. There’s always someone between us: the woman you love, your precious son, your unfinished business with Andrea, all the resentment you carry. All your trust and affection go straight to Andrea and her son. The truth is, you and Andrea are the ones who actually belong together.”

Every word Chloe threw at him was like a dagger straight to Ian’s heart, cutting so deep it left him struggling just to breathe.

His eyes were red and frantic, shaking his head over and over, refusing to believe what he was hearing.

Ian choked out, “It’s not like that, Chloe.”

That was all he had. He couldn’t get anything else out–he was left completely speechless.

Chloe tilted her head back, swallowing hard to keep the tears in. ‘No way I’m crying in front of him,‘ she thought.

She said, “lan, we’re grown–ups. Whatever needed doing or saying–you’ve already done it all, good or bad.”

Chloe went on, her tone icy. “Everything you’ve put me through–I took it. All the hurt, all the humiliation. I’m begging you, just stop making me sick, okay?”

With that, Chloe gave Jan a shove and walked out without looking back.

Chloe didn’t have much strength, but lan still staggered backward, thrown off balance by the force of her rejection.

11:59 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 140

:

86

F55 vouchers

Watching her cold, resolute figure disappear, Ian felt like his heart had been ripped wide open–he could hardly breathe for the hurt.

He slumped against the wall, squeezing his eyes shut, fighting back the tears threatening to fall.

Chloe got to the hospital and threw herself into work, trying to keep her mind off everything.

When she spotted Ian’s name listed for her specialist slot on her computer, Chloe frowned.

Ian knocked and walked in. Chloe gave him an icy look and said, “Ian, if you’re here to pick a fight, do it after hours.”

“I’m here for a check–up,” Ian interrupted, his voice rough and low.

The nurse reminded him to come back tomorrow to pick up his results.

“Just give my report to Ms. Irvine,” Ian said, his voice low and steady.

The nurse pulled Joanna aside and asked quietly, “Hey Joanna, what’s going on between that guy and Ms. Irvine? Are they, you know…?”

He added, “Just give me a little time. I’ll fix everything, I promise–I’ll keep at it until you’re ready to forgive

me.”

Chloe’s back was pressed tightly against Ian’s chest.

She could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, thumping right against her.

But deep down, Chloe knew the truth–this man had never truly belonged to her, not for a single moment.

‘When he says he’ll “fix things“, Chloe thought, ‘all he really wants is to make me back down, to make me compromise–nothing else.‘

Chloe closed her eyes and took a slow, steady breath.

She said, voice calm and detached, “Weren’t you taking me out to eat? Are we still going?”

Ian could feel Chloe’s distance and perfunctory attitude–she was cold, just barely tolerating his presence.

He finally loosened his grip and let her go, knowing not to push any further.

They locked eyes, and Ian’s gaze was careful, almost like he was afraid she’d bolt at any second.

He reached out, testing the waters as he took Chloe’s hand. “Let’s go,” he said, his voice soft.

Chloe hesitated for a moment, but she didn’t pull her hand away.

She couldn’t stand how clingy he was–she just wanted to get lan out of the hospital as fast as possible.

They walked in silence, stepping into the elevator together.

With no one else around, Chloe kept her face cold as she pulled her hand out of lan’s. lan wasn’t even angry, just let it slide.

12:00 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 140

…

They ended up at a new restaurant just a short walk from the hospital.

As soon as Chloe walked in, she spotted Patrick.

86

55 vouchers

She was about to wave and call his name, but lan’s hand shot out, covering her mouth before she could make

a sound.

Ian leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “Can we have lunch, just you and me?”

Chloe nodded, and Ian finally let go.

Just as they turned around, Arthur’s handsome, exotic face was suddenly way too close–practically right in their faces.