The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

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Chloe opened the door. At the sight of lan, her first instinct was to close it.

But Ian was quick. He caught the door and stepped inside before she could shut it.

They stared at each other. It had been a week since they last saw each other.

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His gaze made Chloe’s skin crawl. She looked him straight in the eye, her expression cold. “What are you doing here?” she asked.

The divorce agreement was already signed by her, and 300 million was on the bank card. Andrea, eager to claim her place with Clint, had likely handed everything over to Ian.

There was no reason left for Chloe and Ian to cross paths, except for the divorce certificate.

Ian looked around the small apartment.

Then he walked up to Chloe, pulled a diamond necklace from his pocket, and said, “I brought you a gift from my business trip. Let me help you put it on.”

Chloe raised her arm to block him, stepping back to keep her distance.

“Ian,” she said, her voice steady, “we’ve been married for three years. Now that we’re at this point, there’s no need to keep pretending.”

Ian’s brows furrowed slightly. He bent down and placed the necklace on the coffee table.

In a low, tired voice, he said, “Chloe, you’ve got it wrong about me and Andrea. It’s really not like that.”

Chloe couldn’t stand Ian’s acting any longer.

She forced down the pain in her chest and confronted him. “You say it’s not what I think. Then tell me. You lied about not coming home for a month, booked out the entire Riverfront Promenade for Andrea and Clint, with the yacht, the flowers, homemade blueberry cake, and even showed off your love on Instagram. Was all of that fake?”

Ian pulled out his phone, unlocked it, and opened Instagram before handing it to Chloe. “I’ll admit it. I lied for the sake of Andrea and Clint, but only that one time. And yeah, that post really was up on my Instagram… for sixty seconds.”

When Andrea first returned, it stirred up old memories from lan’s heart for a moment.

But he never once considered divorce. He realized that whatever he once felt for Andrea had faded a long time ago.

Months had passed, and it was all supposed to be behind them. But hearing it from lan still sent a sharp pain through Chloe’s chest. “Even if it was just one minute, it still happened,” she said, her voice trembling as she tried to steady herself.

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Chapter 51

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Before fan could respond, Chloe continued, “We’ve been married for three years, but all the things you did for Andrea these past few months are more than you ever did for me

Jan opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Chloe bit back her tears, her voice barely steady. “Tan, I have loved for over twenty years. Can’t we just part ways without any more pain?”

Jan walked over stiffly, reaching out as if to take Chloe’s hand, but she pulled away with a look of reluctance.

His hand fell weakly to his side. Jan met Chloe’s gaze and said, “Chloe, I know you got me wrong, and I get that you’re not fond of Andrea and Clint. They’ve already moved out of our place. From now on, I’ll keep my

distance from them.”

Jan hesitated for a moment, reaching toward her again. “Chloe, don’t be mad. Just come home with me.”

Chloe shook off his hand, her tone unwavering. “Love always shows in the details. I can feel how much you care about Andrea and Clint. You said you owe them, and they bring you happiness. Just end this with me. Go and start a happy family with them. That’s the best ending for all of us.”

They stared at each other, and lan could see all the heartbreak and despair in Chloe’s eyes.

His chest suddenly tightened with a strange ache. Ian stepped closer and gently took Chloe’s hands in his.

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Chloe tilted her chin up, refusing to let the tears spill.

‘He never loved me,‘ she thought, bitterness swelling in her chest.

Even though she knew it deep down, hearing lan confirm it right in front of her still hurt like hell.

Chloe turned and walked toward the bedroom door.

With her back to Ian, she ordered coldly, “Just go. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

Ian watched Chloe’s frail silhouette, his heart heavy. Then, unable to help himself, he closed the distance and gently pulled her into his arms from behind.

He had no idea what to say to fix things. He just needed to hold her, even if it was the only thing he could do.

Ian lowered his chin to rest on Chloe’s shoulder, his voice barely above a whisper. “Chloe, how long are you going to keep pushing me away like this?”

Chloe struggled angrily, her voice shaking as she snapped, “Ian, I want a divorce.”

Ian pulled her to face him, his voice tinged with hurt. “You didn’t say that when you married me.”

Chloe choked out through her tears, “Can’t I regret it now?”

Ian loosened his hold a little. “I know you don’t really mean it. Don’t say things you’ll regret later.”

Chloe held back her tears and pulled away from lan’s embrace.

She looked him straight in the eye, her voice shaking with pain and determination. “lan, you admitted that you still care about Andrea. You never truly loved me. So let’s just end it here. Get a divorce and be with her and Clint. Isn’t that the happy family you wanted?”

Ian stood in front of Chloe, his face etched with exhaustion.

He said, “Chloe, we’re adults. If you can just tolerate Andrea and Clint being around, you can stay Mrs. Hamilton. I’ll even transfer all my assets to you if that’s what you want. You’d have all the perks and respect for being the hostess of the Hamilton family.

“Chloe, maybe it’s time to let go of those fairy–tale notions of love and face reality. Wouldn’t that be more practical?”