The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Three nights had passed before Ian finally made his way home.

Chloe stepped out for a drink of water, only to see lan staggering in, reeking of booze. She put down her glass and headed straight to the bedroom.

Ian was losing his cool for reasons even he couldn’t explain.

He tossed his suit jacket aside and wrapped his arms around Chloe from behind, holding her close.

Chloe struggled, warning him, “Ian, don’t start acting drunk and crazy!”

His voice came out low and tired.

He held Chloe even tighter and said, “Chloe, I’ve been drinking, but I swear I’m not drunk.”

Chloe turned her head away from his warm, boozy breath. “If you’re really sober, then let me go.”

Ian grumbled, “I’ve been gone for three days, and you don’t even care enough to ask where I was?”

‘He’s getting so annoyingly immature,‘ Chloe thought, rolling her eyes.

Chloe yanked herself out of his arms, spun around, and glared at him. “Ian, you lied to me and disappeared for a whole month just so you could take care of Andrea and her kid, and you acted like it was no big deal! Three days? Compared to that, it means nothing to me.”

Their eyes met, a silent clash of stubborn wills.

Her eyes were cold, shut down, and miles away.

Ian instinctively clutched at his chest.

He didn’t know when it began, but every time Chloe looked at him with that icy, distant stare, a dull ache would twist through his heart.

Chloe noticed the shift in Ian’s face, felt a flicker of concern–but shut it down and turned away, refusing to

care.

fan fought through the ache twisting his chest and grabbed Chloe’s wrist, his voice breaking. “Chloe, my chest hurts… please, don’t go.”

Chloe stopped, tore her hand out of his grip.

She shot back, “lan, when I hit rock bottom, I was all alone in that dorm in Tecnovia–crying until t blacked out. Whatever pain you’re feeling? It doesn’t even come close to what I’ve been through”

They stared each other down, so close you could feel the tension in the air. Ian’s heart was aching–how could he bear seeing Chloe like this? Overcome by guilt, he couldn’t help but hug her all over again.

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His voice trembled with regret as he clung to her, blurting out, “I’m sorry, Chloe, it’s all on me! I messed up!”

Ian’s mind spun–he really couldn’t picture what Chloe must’ve gone through, all alone in Tecnovia. Just thinking about it made his chest hurt even more.

Chloe struggled fiercely, but Ian clung to her even tighter, panic in his grip–completely losing control, desperate not to let her go.

Ian’s voice cracked as he begged, “Chloe, I’ll go through with the divorce. Let’s just… start over, okay?”

Chloe’s struggles stopped cold, her whole body suddenly still.

She stood frozen, in total disbelief, staring at Ian.

When she finally came to her senses, she pulled away from Ian’s arms and met his gaze. Her voice was shaky with urgency. “Say it again, Ian. Say what you just said–one more time.”

Ian hunched over, struggling to meet Chloe’s eyes so they were face to face.

He said, “Whatever you want, Chloe–I’ll do it. If divorce is your choice, I’m not fighting it.”

Chloe said, “Ian, if you really want the divorce, there’s no real cooling–off month. We don’t have kids, I’m leaving with nothing, and there’s no property division. Philip already filed the lawsuit for me—everything’s in motion. Today’s Friday, so if you come with me to the courthouse on Monday, I’ll bring all the paperwork. You just have to nod–then we’ll get our divorce certificate on the spot.”

Ian fought the pain in his chest and hugged Chloe tightly once again, as if afraid she’d slip away forever.

He’d never realized just how much he needed this embrace, how much he longed to hold her close and never let go.

He said, “Half of everything I own is yours. Mitchell’s already taken care of the paperwork. Whatever you’re entitled to from our marriage, I won’t hold back a cent.”

Chloe lowered her gaze, hiding whatever she was feeling inside.

It couldn’t be clearer now–Ian had reached his decision over those three nights away.

She’d known all along that Ian would compromise for Andrea’s sake.

Property or not, none of that mattered to her; all she cared about was getting the divorce.

Chloe kept her voice gentle as she spoke to lan. Tan, we have family, friends, and a whole social circle in common. If we can end things with some dignity, part ways amicably, that’s really the best outcome for everyone?

Jan just wanted to hold Chloe tight and never let go–not right now, not ever.

He couldn’t bring himself to release her, and for the first time, his voice was soft, almost pleading.

He said, “I’ll go with you to the courthouse on Monday, I promise. But can you stay with me this weekend?

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Chapter 193

Just… let me be with you, one last time.”

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Chloe quietly pushed Ian away, her expression giving nothing away. “Just make sure you actually keep your promise.”

All night long, neither of them slept.

Chloe tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

Ian spent the whole night by himself in the study, his mind whirling as he stared into the darkness.

Jan switched off the engine, popped his seatbelt, then shot Chloe a look. “It’s been forever since we came back. Wanna go inside and take a look?”

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Ian rolled down the windows, and the scent of gardenias from the yard floated into the car.

Seeing Chloe’s face cloud over, Ian tried to change the subject. “Hey, that gardenia you planted in the yard— looks like it’s already started blooming.”

Chloe closed her eyes, and the sweet scent of gardenias drifted in, stirring up bittersweet memories she thought she’d left behind.

After marrying Ian, she’d given everything to turning their house into a real home–one meant just for the two of them.

She picked out every mug herself, even chose the décor for the whole place.

She’d planted flowers by the door and trees throughout the yard with her own hands.

She’d once told Ian this would be their forever home–a place she was determined to cherish above all else.

Crazy how, in just three years, everything she’d tried so hard to build had already fallen apart.

The silence between them was heavy; both lost in their own thoughts.

They sat in the car for a long while, letting the quiet linger.

Chloe’s voice finally broke through. “I’m exhausted. Can we go home?”

Jan just stared at her, caught off guard, before finally turning the key and starting the car.

The house was quiet all afternoon. Ian stayed locked away in the study and didn’t come out once.”

Chloe closed her door and slept for a while.*

They were both under the same roof, but not a single word passed between them.

By the time dinner rolled around, fan finally stepped out of the study.

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He walked into the master bedroom, finding Chloe quietly sorting through her things.

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Lying on the bed were her ID card, marriage license, and a bunch of folders stuffed with paperwork- everything she’d need for the divorce.

Jan instinctively pressed a hand to his chest, and with a shaky breath, backed out of the room on unsteady

feet.