The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159

Chapter 159

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With his parents and Edward visibly furious, Ian finally admitted, “Edward, I was the one who took Chloe to the Rowe Estate. I’ll bring her back myself in a few days, but I can’t do it today.”

‘He’d given Chloe his word, and there was no way he’d back out now, Ian told himself.

‘Besides, Chloe was still mad. If I went to get her now, she’d just refuse to come back anyway,’ he thought.

Edward swung his cane and struck Ian hard on the shoulder. “You damn fool!”

Ian winced at the sting, but stood his ground, refusing to dodge.

Aunt Lydia quickly stepped in to calm everyone down. “Dad, Ian, since Ian and Chloe already talked things. through, just let the couple sort it out themselves.”

She went on, “It’s not often I get to come back home. So please, can you all just quit arguing for a few days and let me actually enjoy being here?”

With that, Edward finally let it slide.

After dinner, Lydia took Ian for a walk out in the garden.

“Ian, your parents have filled me in about you and Chloe,” Lydia said.

Lydia hesitated, then said, “Don’t think your Aunt Lydia is being nosy, but honestly, I hope you and Chloe end things–I think you two need to get a divorce.”

Ian looked at Lydia, utterly stunned.

“Aunt Lydia, you’ve always been fond of Chloe. Why are you, of all people, telling us we should split up?” he asked.

Lydia sighed. “It’s because I care about Chloe that I want you two to get divorced.”

She continued, “You and Andrea already have a child together now. That mess will follow you for the rest of your lives. Chloe loves you so much, but she’s trapped in this miserable marriage. How much more heartbreak and humiliation does she have to endure, just to keep pretending she can go on like this with you?”

Pain stabbed through Ian’s chest, leaving him breathless for a second.

He said, “Aunt Lydia, trust me–I won’t let Chloe get hurt again.”

Lydia shot back, “You make it sound so simple–how exactly do you plan to do that?”

She pressed, “Can you rewind time, keep that child from ever being born, or somehow stop that mother and son from ever returning here?”

She went on, “Or are you saying you can just erase all the pain and humiliation you and that woman have put Chloe through over all these years?”

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Chapter 159

Ian just stood there, his chest tight and heavy, feeling like he could barely breathe.

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Lydia patted his shoulder, her tone cutting. “You betrayed Chloe and your marriage. What makes you have any right to refuse her a divorce?”

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She added, “If Chloe made one mistake in her whole life, it was falling for you and saying yes to that wedding. If you still have any guilt left for her, then let her go–give her back her freedom.”

After Lydia left, Ian stayed out in the garden for a long time, just standing there by himself.

He did feel guilty about Chloe, but divorce was out of the question for him.

His parents had gone through something similar before. They toughed it out together and ended up even closer because of it.

Besides, he hadn’t really betrayed Chloe–after all, that child wasn’t his biological son.

Once he and Chloe had a child of their own, he was sure she’d finally let go of all that talk about divorce and want to build a real life with him.

The next morning, Lydia came to the hospital to visit Chloe.

When Chloe saw Lydia, she immediately hugged her, her face lighting up. “Aunt Lydia, I’m sorry I didn’t come see you yesterday.”

Lydia gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder. “I know all about what happened between you and Ian,” Lydia said softly. “I don’t blame you for any of it.”

She added, “I brought gifts for you, your parents, and your brother. When you get a chance, take them to your mom–and say hi to her for me.”

After chatting for a while, Lydia said goodbye, and Chloe warmly walked her to the front of the outpatient building. Just as Chloe was seeing Lydia off, they happened to run right into Andrea, who was leading her son through the hospital to pick up his prescription.

Way back when Andrea was dating Ian six years ago, she’d secretly paid someone to dig up all the details about the Hamilton family’s background.

Andrea knew exactly who Lydia was–but as for Lydia, she didn’t recognize Andrea at all. ‘Funny how she has no idea who I am, Andrea thought to herself.

Andrea crouched down and whispered something to her son, and the little troublemaker bolted off, scampering right over to Chloe and Lydia.

The boy piped up to Chloe, “Aunt Chloe!”

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his tone bright and innocent.

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Back when Lydia was young, she was famous among the rich and elite for her brains and wit–a true genius who outshone all the other socialites.

Ian walked up to her, watching her closely, testing the waters as he spoke.

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Chapter 159

“I’m here to take you home,” he said.

Chloe hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

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These five days of keeping her distance had finally given her a break from Ian’s attempts to push her for answers and test her boundaries.

If she could just hold out till the end of the month and end this pregnancy, she’d finally be free–everything would be settled once and for all.

After several days apart, Chloe and Ian drove home together in heavy silence.

The house was sparkling clean, and Chloe instantly noticed roses of every color thoughtfully placed around- the dining room, the bar counter, the living room, and even beside the bathroom sink. Someone had clearly gone out of their way to make it welcoming.

The bed was made up with her favorite–colored sheets, and on the nightstand, a new photo of her with Ian had appeared–it was just the two of them, smiling together, as if trying to hold onto better days.

Chloe paid no attention to all the thoughtful details Ian had arranged just for her–she simply headed straight for the bathroom.

After dragging her feet in the bathroom for a good half hour, Chloe eventually came out to find Ian busy on the phone in their bedroom.

When he saw Chloe, Ian hurriedly hung up.

Chloe saw the way Ian was hesitating, his eyes darting around, avoiding hers–it was obvious to her who had just called.

She dropped her gaze, hiding her emotions, and quietly started going through her usual skincare routine at the vanity.

Ian stepped up behind Chloe and gripped her shoulders, his presence solid and close.

He leaned over slightly, locking eyes with her in the mirror. “Mitchell just called. Clint got into a fight at school and hurt another student. The other kid’s parents aren’t backing down.”

When Chloe didn’t respond, Ian said, “I’ll take care of it. I’ll be back soon.”

Chloe pumped some essential oil into her palm, her voice cool. “So is this you just informing me, or are you actually asking for my opinion?”

Ian’s grip on her shoulders unconsciously tightened.

Ian said quietly, “If you don’t want me to go, I won’t.”