The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Rain hammered steadily against the windows. When Patrick dropped Ian off, the doctor had just left.

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Ian went straight to the bedside, eyes narrowing at Chloe’s pale face. Even in sleep, her brow was furrowed, lashes damp, as if trapped in a nightmare.

He grabbed her hand—it was scorching hot.

Chloe had been fine when he left earlier, still arguing, still full of energy. Ian wondered. She couldn’t just suddenly fall so ill.

If he hadn’t seen it himself, he wouldn’t have believed it. In his memories, Chloe had always been healthy, and even rarely caught a cold.

“When did she start running a fever?” Ian asked Mia quietly.

“I couldn’t reach Chloe just now, and couldn’t reach you either. Mom was worried you two had quarrels, so I came over,” Mia replied. “She was already lying in the rain outside when I arrived. I have no idea how long she’d been there.”

Patrick elbowed Ian. “You two fight when you left?”

Ian’s expression darkened like storm clouds. “You two can go home,” he said flatly to Patrick and Mia.

Mia hesitated. “Hey Ian,” she added. “Chloe had already taken the medicine. Remember to help with physical copling, check her temperature every hour, and if it keeps rising, take her to the hospital.”

Ian nodded without a word, jaw tight.

Patrick grabbed Mia by the arm. “Let’s go.”

“No, I have to find Andrea first,” Mia clutched his collar. “Patrick, you know where Andrea’s hiding, right? Take me to her!”

“That’s none of your business!” Patrick dragged her out, leaving Ian and Chloe behind.

Back in the bedroom, Ian rolled up his sleeves to measure Chloe’s temperature. After that, he fed her some water, wiped her face and arms with cold water to cool her down.

Each gesture of his were calm and exact, as if performing a delicate procedure rather than caring for his wife.

“Ian…” Chloe’s hands waved weakly, calling out in her sleep.

Ian held her hands gently, brushing the sweat from her palms.

Even in dreams, she was reaching for him. Ian knew she could never leave. Tonight had been his fault. He should have waited for her to calm down before leaving.

Chloe lay feverish and dazed for three days. When she finally woke, her head still felt heavy.

She had missed a meeting with Eric Jordan, the senior Mr. Murphy had introduced her to, and now she needed to send an apology.

Walking out of the bedroom, Chloe noticed the study door ajar. Ian was on the phone.

It was a workday, over ten in the morning, yet he hadn’t gone to the office.

Seeing her frozen in the hallway, Ian approached and raised a hand to check her forehead.

But Chloe turned her head, avoiding him.

“Chloe,” Ian’s face darkened. “Is this how you thank your husband for taking care

Chloe ignored him, heading toward the stairs. She wanted to argue, to release all the anger inside. But she had neither strength nor

Back in the bedroom, neither spoke of the “affair” a

Chloe realized there was little left to discuss with lan expect for the affair topic.

She moved toward the dressing room, but Ian caught her wrist.

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Chapter 16

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“Why didn’t you call me when you were sick?” he asked. “You were out cold for three days. What if I was not here?”

Chloe looked at him, unnervingly calm. “I didn’t want to interrupt your little affair.”

“Mr. Hamilton,” he reported, “It’s time to depart.”

On the day of the healthy check, Chloe skipped breakfast.

Mia, worried about her, brought a lunchbox of breakfast from Miranda and stayed by her side.

After over an hour, all tests were done. Holding a stack of medical reports, Mia guided Chloe out of the elevator and found a place to sit.

“Chloe, eat something first,” she said, handing Chloe the lunchbox.

Just then, a small boy dashed past, bumping into Mia. The reports toppled to the floor, and the lunchbox rolled across the hall, stopping against a trash bin.

“Hey you, stop right there!” Mia shouted.

Chloe reached out, laying a hand on Mja’s arm. “Mia, i

Nearby, Andrea, about to Chloe.

enter the elevato

fine.”

at the sound of Mia’s voice. Her eyes flicked between Chloe and Mia before settling on

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Chapter 16

She recognized her–the woman lan had married. She had secretly met her once.

‘No wonder lan keeps his distance from me, she thought. ‘Chloe… her beauty is surely impossible to ignore.

Andrea walked over, deliberately ignoring Chloe, bent down, and picked up the fallen reports, handing them to Mia.

“Excuse me,” she asked, testing the waters. “Are you Mia Hamilton?”

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