Chapter 26
While lan was upstairs on a call, Chloe slipped out and headed to her parents‘ place.
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That evening, lan picked her up for the family dinner at the old manor–bringing yet another pile of fancy health supplements for her parents.
Chloe got in the car and shut her eyes, not saying a word the whole ride.
Ian didn’t bother talking either–just stared at his phone, typing away on some WhatsApp chat.
When the car pulled through the gates of Hamilton Manor, Chloe followed quietly behind Ian into the living
room.
Everyone was there: Grandpa Edward, Ian’s parents Shane and Miranda, and Mia.
Mia rushed over as soon as she saw them and whispered, “Heads up–Grandpa’s pissed.”
Chloe heard Ian snort under his breath. She glanced up.
His jaw was clenched tight, and he was staring at his grandfather like he was looking at his worst enemy.
She quickly looked away.
Six years ago, Edward had forced Ian and Andrea apart.
She left the country–only to come back now with a son Ian never knew about.
He was staying in this marriage to save face, but the woman he loved was now labeled a homewrecker, and their kid would grow up called a bastard.
Yeah, he must’ve hated him.
“Since when does a Hamilton work as some hospital intern? What will people say?”
It was Shane, Ian’s father.
Chloe opened her mouth to explain, but Ian grabbed her hand and cut in. “I supported her taking that job, Dad. If you’ve got a problem, talk to me.”
Edward’s cane slammed against the floor. “Quit. Now. If she wants to work, she can join Hamilton Group.”
“She’s a doctor, Grandpa. What’s she gonna do at Hamilton–fetch coffee?”
“Then let her be decoration! Better than embarrassing the family!”
Chloe almost laughed. So not only did Ian see her as decoration–his whole family did too.
Ian stood his ground. “My marriage, my rules. Stay out of it.”
13:19 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 26
Edward’s face turned red. “Bring the discipline cane.”
Shane glared at the butler, Thomas Quinn. “You heard him. Now!”
As the butler hurried off, Miranda finally stepped in. “Dad, they’re just trying to—”
“Shut your mouth!” Edward snapped.
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Miranda didn’t even get to finish before her husband Shane cut her off, “Since when do you get a say? Know your place!”
She went quiet.
Chloe stood frozen, holding her tongue.
Three years married into this family, she knew how things worked.
Edward might be pushing eighty, but he still ruled the Hamilton house. His word was law–no one questioned
- it.
Shane? The perfect son. Always obeyed his father, never talked back. And he rode Ian just as hard.
Miranda was the only one with a heart in this place, but she had zero power.
Ian and Mia acted all independent outside, but inside these walls? They fell in line like good little soldiers.
And her? The broke Irvine girl? She didn’t even get a seat at the table.
Ian was his grandfather and father’s masterpiece–raised since day one to be their clone.
In too many ways, they were exactly the same.
If he hadn’t screwed around with Andrea, if he wasn’t trying to keep her quiet and compliant, he never would’ve let her take that job.
The butler brought the cane over, hesitating beside Ian.
13:19 Thu, Oct 2
It wasn’t about her mentioning divorce–it was about her dragging Andrea and his son into this.
Miranda stepped in quickly, trying to smooth things over. “Dad, you’ve made your point. Let Ian go upstairs so Chloe can clean his wounds. He can’t afford to miss Monday’s shareholder meeting.”
But Edward wasn’t done with Chloe. “You have one week to quit your job. Or I’ll call the hospital director myself.”
Chloe held her ground. “I married into this family–I didn’t sign myself away. What I do for work is my choice.”
Edward snorted, ripping right into her oldest wound. “Where would you be without us? When your family went bankrupt, you were almost living in a construction shed. Ian paid off all your debts. Show some gratitude.”
“I owe your grandson–not you.”
“Whether you like it or not, everything Ian has come from this family!”
Chloe was trying to fire back, but Ian dragged her upstairs before she could.
In the bedroom, Miranda set down the first–aid kit.
13:19 Thu, Oct 2
Chapter 26
“His back is pretty bad. He might get into a fever tonight. Stay here–we can help if needed.”
Chloe didn’t argue. She helped lan sit on the bed.
He had taken those hits because of her, and besides—she had nowhere else to be tomorrow.
Once Miranda and Mia left, Chloe closed the door and began to help lan out of his jacket.
He caught her wrist, his expression dark.
“Why did you bring up divorce in front of my grandfather?”
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