The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 272

Chloe stared intently at Eric’s face, her mind lagging as she tried to process what he just said. She didn’t say a word for nearly half a minute. Then Chloe burst out laughing. “No way.”

Eric’s expression grew unusually heavy. “The Hamilton family hasn’t left yet. Do you want to go to the morgue and see him one last time?”

They held each other’s gaze for a moment, until Chloe abruptly turned away. With her back to Eric, she tidied her hair, then took a sweeping glance around her familiar office.

She picked up her bag, drew in a deep breath, and turned to face Eric again. “Eric, I’d like to take two days off.”

Eric nodded.

Chloe left the office, her footsteps faltering with uncertainty.

Eric, looking concerned, followed her to the hospital entrance. “Let me drive you home. Get some rest.”

Chloe didn’t say a word the whole ride. Eric stayed silent too. When they got to her place, Chloe hopped out of the car and rushed straight for her front door, completely forgetting to say goodbye to Eric.

Chloe pushed open the gate and walked into her garden. Frank and Jill, who were trimming the plants outside, looked up in surprise when Chloe showed up so suddenly.

Frank put down the flowerpot he was holding. “Didn’t you have a consultation this morning? Why are you home so early?”

Chloe clutched her bag tightly, her lashes trembling with anxiety.

Jill could tell right away something was off with Chloe. She set down her scissors, peeled off her gloves, and reached for Chloe’s hand. Chloe’s fingers were clenched so tight they were trembling.

Jill asked with concern, “Chloe, did something happen?”

Chloe looked at them and forced a small smile, but she couldn’t get any words out. Frank and Jill exchanged worried glances, tension written all over their faces.

“What’s going on? If you won’t tell us, I’ll just call Mr. Jordan,” Frank said, starting to pull out his phone.

Chloe quickly reached out to stop him. “Dad, really, I’m okay.” She gazed at her parents, her voice shaky. “It’s Jan he’s gone

Frank and Jill traded a glance, their faces going pale. They both shook their heads in disbelief. “No way.”

“He had a heart attack at home last night. They got him to the hospital, but he didn’t make it,” Chloe said.

Frank turned away and let out a long sigh while Jill’s eyes went red, her emotions catching up with her.

Seeing Frank and Jill fighting to keep it together, their eyes clearly red, Chloe felt a tangled mess of emotions

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Chapter 272

she couldn’t even name.

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Even if lan had hurt her over and over, the guy had been around Frank and Jill since he was a kid. There was no way this wasn’t going to hurt. But Chloe still had to tell them about his death. She couldn’t keep it from

them.

Chloe mumbled a few words to try and comfort them, then shut herself in her room and locked the door.

By midday, Arthur dropped by to see Chloe. Jill mentioned that Chloe had been holed up in her room all morning since she came back, not coming out once.

Carl hesitated, then said, “On Thanksgiving Day, I saw Ian coughing up blood. He was in really bad shape. He apologized and asked me not to tell Chloe.”

Arthur couldn’t help but grimace. “From now on, Chloe’s birthday will be the same day as Ian’s death anniversary. He sure knew how to pick a day.”

Everyone exchanged glances; all anyone could do was sigh. Ian had died on Chloe’s twenty–seventh birthday. Nobody could’ve seen that coming.

Inside her room, Chloe changed into a white dress and stood by the door. She listened quietly to the voices outside, keeping her gaze down.

The first time Ian lied to her was about that business trip. He was actually spending a whole month secretly looking after Andrea. The second time was on Thanksgiving Day, when he insisted he wasn’t sick at all.

Chloe quietly opened the door. She spoke in an unusually calm voice, “It’s stuffy in here. I’m going out for a walk.”

Everyone exchanged glances, worry written all over their faces, but no one tried to stop her.

As soon as Chloe stepped out of the living room, Jill called after Carl, “Carl, it’s chilly outside. Take a jacket and keep an eye on Chloe, okay?”

She’d laughed and called his name, asking him to push harder, to make her fly higher. He pushed with one hand, the other hovering close, ready to catch her if she fell

Back then. Chloe had learned just how cruel people could be, putting up with way too much crap. There hadn’t been many people who truly cared about her, just her grandma’s friend Maria, Miranda, and the childhood friends she’d grown up with–Patrick. Mia, and Ian.

With those guys in her corner, Chloe could at least keep her footing in the high–society circles.

They’d hide behind this very tree, stealing kisses and holding each other close. When Chloe couldn’t resist Ian’s advances, she’d just let him carry her off to his car.

By evening, Chloe was drifting down the long street outside the school, her shoes crunching through layers of fallen leaves scattered beneath the old gate. She paused to watch a young couple arguing at the curb, entertained by their melodrama.

The sky deepened into night. Chloe wandered into the city center, letting the bustle and chaos of the night market wash over her. At a street stall on the corner, she ordered a smoked hot dog.

Halfway through her hot dog, something tugged at Chloe’s heart. She suddenly choked up, couldn’t force herself to eat another bite, and quietly got up and left.

It was late at night, and Chloe stood frozen at the crosswalk while the light changed again and again. In her mind, Chloe heard her younger self calling out, Tan, give me a piggyback ride.

For a second, she could almost swear she saw a teenage boy carrying a girl on his back, the girl chattering non–stop while the boy complained, telling her to hold on tight so she wouldn’t fall

Not far behind Chloe, Arthur and Carl were still following her. Carl wrung his hands in worry. “Arthur, do you think Chloe’s really alright?”

Arthur hugged the thin blanket to his chest, his eyes locked on Chloe in the distance. Just let her walk it out. She’ll come home once she’s tired.”

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Carl glanced at Arthur. “Do you think Chloe still hasn’t let go?”

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Arthur scratched his head. “Ian’s already gone. Even if she can’t let go, now she has no choice. Chloe’s twenty- seven, and she’s known lan her whole life. With all the history between them, moving on isn’t going to be easy. She just needs more time.”

Just then, Arthur’s phone rang. He answered Patrick’s call, and the look on his face totally shifted. As soon as he hung up, Arthur grabbed Carl and took off toward the crosswalk.

Chloe paused, clearly surprised when she saw them. “What are you guys doing here?”

Arthur wrapped the blanket around Chloe and passed on Patrick’s message. “Patrick tried calling you, but you didn’t answer. He said Edward tried to overdose, and Mrs. Hamilton’s passed out for the third time–she still hasn’t come around. Patrick’s asking if you can swing by.”

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