The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 36

Chapter 36

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That night, after his shower, Ian walked into the study in a clean set of pajamas. The divorce papers lay on the

desk.

His gaze caught on the paternity report beside them. His fingertips brushed the faint puckered marks on the paper–teardrops, fallen and dried.

Ian sank into the chair, weariness etched into his posture. He pictured the moment Chloe had seen the report, and something sharp twisted low in his chest.

He skimmed through the divorce papers. Stopped at the added clause.

Jaw tight, he tipped his head back, drew a long breath, and went to pour himself a drink.

Hours passed. He paced the study alone, glass in hand, eyes raw with fatigue yet wired awake.

She was really going to sell Jill’s heirloom emerald jewelry set. Just to spite him. Just to leave.

Near dawn, he pulled out his phone. “Mitchell,” he said quietly, “Watch Mrs. Hamilton these next few days— especially if she goes near an auction house.”

Back in the bedroom, he finally went still–and saw the trash can. The things she’d thrown away.

His

gaze darkened. Slowly, he crouched beside it. One by one, he picked each thing out in silence.

A toothbrush. A mug. Hair ties. Cosmetics. The photo frame from her nightstand.

He remembered her voice on their wedding day.

“I could give up my life,” she’d said, “but I’ll never give up on you.”

A sharp ache rose in Ian’s chest. He pushed himself upright, bracing a hand on the doorframe. His shoulders folded forward, forehead pressed to his wrist.

“Chloe,” he murmured, voice low and raw, “you won’t give me even a shred of trust.”

The words rasped out of him, heavy with exhaustion.

Sleep wouldn’t come.

He changed clothes, took the paternity report and his keys, and went downstairs.

At one in the morning, he stopped outside a shabby old housing complex on the city’s outskirts–the place Chloe’s parents had been reduced to.

He rolled the window down. Lit a cigarette. Smoke curled in the dark as he stared up at a fourth–floor window

across the street.

One hand held the cigarette. The other clenched the report. His eyes flickered with something uncertain-

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Chapter 36

like a man weighing choices and finding none bearable.

E55 vouchers.

The passenger door opened. Patrick slid in, followed Ian’s gaze to the building. You can’t abandon Andrea and her son just to win Chloe back. And you’re too afraid to tell her this test is fake. So what’s the point of sitting here?

Ian silently looked away, flicking the cigarette butt from his hand. “Chloe was just upset for a moment.”

Patrick stared at him. “You think even calm, shell stomach you playing happy family with Andrea and her kid?”

I’ll explain… enough.” Ian said quietly.

Patrick let out a low laugh. He was sure lan had lost his mind.

And not just a little.

After Patrick stormed off. Ian stayed where he was, alone in the car. He didn’t drive away.

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She was giving them space. Giving them a way back.

She wasn’t trying to end things–she was forcing him to explain. Forcing him to come back to her.

She would never follow through with the divorce.

Ian left the manor and drove straight to the office.

When Chloe woke that morning, Ian’s message was already on her phone. He’d asked to see her that night.

She didn’t reply.

Around noon, Eric called to say the jewelry appraisal would be ready in a week.

She could wait a week. After everything, she could wait that long.

Jill came by the hospital to bring her lunch. “Chloe, since you and Ian are planning to divorce… your dad and I were thinking maybe Carl should transfer to a public high school.”

“No.” Chloe’s answer was immediate. “Mom, you said it yourself. That jewelry’s worth over 500 million dollars. Carl’s starting senior year. Even if I pay Ian 300 million dollars, what’s left will see Carl through graduation. The Irvines may have fallen, and I may be divorcing Ian… but nothing matters more than Carl’s future.”

Jill unpacked the lunch containers one by one. “You’re right. Let’s see how it goes.”

Chloe crossed the room and wrapped her arms around her. “Trust me, Mom. I’ll get that jewelry back.”

Her nose stung, her voice wavered. “I loved Ian for years. Married him for three years. Gave up the field I loved. Gave up working abroad. I gave him everything–and was left with nothing.”

Her voice wavered, soft and shaking. “From now on… I won’t put my faith in love. Or marriage. I’ll work hard. I’ll make money. I’ll give you and Dad the life you deserve.”

Ian stood outside the break room, lunch in hand.

Through the glass, he saw Chloe folded into Jill’s arms, crying like a child. Something tightened behind his

eyes.

He drew a long breath, tipped his head back–and knocked.

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