The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 165

At this point, Miranda Hamilton had no other options left.

She took a deep breath, steadying her emotions, and addressed lan, making each word count.

Miranda said, “Ian, betrayal comes in many forms–even emotional infidelity is still betrayal.”

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“The moment you recognized Andrea Sherman’s son as your own, your fate was already sealed. You couldn’t keep Chloe’s child, and you couldn’t keep her either.”

“Last night, your grandfather Edward found out you lost his great–grandson over some illegitimate child. He was so furious he had a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital.”

You should hurry up and divorce Chloe before Edward wakes up, then go live with Andrea Sherman and her kid. Maybe that way, you’ll actually be able to look out for them.”

Miranda caught sight of Patrick standing in the doorway, then stepped out of the study.

Ian was slouched on the couch, looking like a complete mess–barely keeping himself from falling apart.

Patrick noticed Ian’s hands were shaking so badly he couldn’t get his cigarette lit, even after several attempts. Patrick took the lighter from him and helped light it up.

With his back turned to the light, Ian’s face was buried in shadow. He drew deeply on his cigarette, dark circles under his eyes making him look even more worn out.

After a long silence, Ian finally asked, “Are you here to tell me to get a divorce too?”

Patrick shot Ian a look and sat down across from him. “Chloe went ahead and aborted your child without even a hint of hesitation. That’s her way of showing you she’s absolutely set on leaving. With things like this, do you honestly need me to convince you?”

lan was clearly losing it.

He snapped, “Look at all the guys we know who mess around–their families are just fine. I was just being soft -felt bad for Andrea and agreed to recognize her son. I was trying to help her, that’s it! Why does everyone act like I’m the bad guy here?”

Jan said. “I know Chloe’s got a temper, but once she’s recovered, I’ll make it up to her. I’ll end things with Andrea for good. As long as we don’t get divorced, we can still put the pieces back together.”

Patrick retorted, “You’ve hurt Chloe so much–made her shed so many tears, and even forced her to lose your child when she never wanted to You keep talking about making is up to her, but how do you even intend to

do that?

Ian’s eyes burned with stdaborn resolve “We have an entire lifetime Just give me time–she’ll forgive me, I know she will”

Patrick shot back with a smirk, “You and Chloe? That ‘forever‘ you’re dreaming of–it’s never gonna happen.”

He dropped the lighter, tugged at his sleeve, and grabbed an empty glass from the coffee table.

Holding the glass by the rim, he slammed its bottom hard against the table.

lan glanced up at the glass in Patrick’s hand, just as Patrick let it drop.

The next instant, the glass hit the table and smashed apart, scattering shards all over.

Patrick pointed at the shards on the coffee table. “Ian, no matter how skilled you are, once this glass is shattered, can you really fix it?”

lan’s face was clouded, his lips pressed into a hard line.

Patrick continued. “Even if you use the best materials and try to remake it, even if you melt it down and craft a brand new one, it’s never the same glass as before.”

Ian opened his mouth, taking deep, uneven breaths.

Patrick said. “A rope that’s broken can never be whole again, there’s always a knot. All that talk about making things as good as new? That’s just a bunch of lies.”

Patrick said. “Forgiveness is easy, but getting back what you had at the start? That’s a whole other story. The divide between you and Chloe–that’s your own doing, and it’s a chasm you’ll never be able to cross. Even if you don’t go through with the divorce, don’t kid yourself–getting close to her again is out of the question.”

After Patrick left, Ian just stayed holed up in the study for ages, refusing to come out.

Miranda and Patrick’s words twisted and tangled endlessly in his head–he couldn’t get his own thoughts together, no matter how hard he tried.

Over the next few days, Miranda, Mia, and Cora looked after Chloe around the clock, never leaving her side. They took care of her every need, soothed her whenever she woke in distress, and thanks to all their love and attention, Chloe’s health improved rapidly.

On Saturday night, Chloe turned to Miranda and said, “Mom, you, Mia, and Cora should all head back to The Old Hamilton Manor. I’m going back to work at the hospital tomorrow.”

Miranda nodded, then gently gathered Mia and Cora and led them out.

Maybe it was because she’d spent all those days in bed, but as soon as she tried moving around, her legs went wobbly and she felt almost faint.

The baby was gone, and the Hamilton elders all knew now that Andrea’s son wasn’t even lan’s.

Edward was so pissed off he landed himself in the hospital, all because he lost his great–grandson. When it came to Chloe, though, he couldn’t have cared less.

Once the old man woke up, Chloe knew she’d be the first one he’d go after.

Things had gotten this bad and lan still wouldn’t agree to a divorce. If she kept pushing, she’d only be the one losing out in the end.

Ian stared at Chloe, seeing the cold distance in her eyes. For a moment, he felt the icy gulf between them. “Alright, he whispered, it’s up to you

Jan convinced himself that time could heal all wounds.

As long as Chloe stayed by his side, he was sure he could make her forget everything and start again with him.

12.26 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 165

Meanwhile, downtown, Andrea Sherman and her son were in their apartment.

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Andrea was on the phone with Vivian Monroe, telling her how that old lady Miranda Hamilton had personally offered her an apartment and was suddenly playing nice–right as the doorbell rang.

Andrea went to open the door.

When she saw Miranda Hamilton standing there in the middle of the night flanked by bodyguards, Andrea quickly invited her into the living room.

She immediately told her son to fetch a glass of water for Miranda.

Andrea snuck a glance at the two bodyguards by the door, then walked over to Miranda.

Andrea ventured, “Mrs. Hamilton, so did Edward finally say yes to taking Clint back into the family?”