The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82

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Chloe was cradled in lan’s arms, her whole body numb, like her soul had drifted far away.

She struggled to lift the comers of her lip, but for what felt like ages, no words would come out.

From now on, she wasn’t lan’s childhood sweetheart, wasn’t his wife, wasn’t his lover… she was just Mrs. Hamilton. That was all the’d ever be.

She had to listen, act like the grown–up one, be understanding, be forgiving

She couldn’t let herself cry, couldn’t even think about throwing a fit.

She had to maintain Ian’s reputation, and on top of that, she had to endure the presence of Andrea and her

son

From now on, she was just a shield for Ian’s pride, nothing more than a veil to cover up the scandal.

TII run you a bath, Ian said.

Ian’s voice pulled Chloe back from her wandering thoughts.

He led her into the bathroom, and after her shower, she let him blow–dry her hair and carry her to bed. passive and quiet.

At least tonight, he just held me as we slept, Chloe thought, ‘not asking for anything else.

In the pitch–dark room, Chloe lay awake, her eyes wide open as she stared into the emptiness.

No one wakes up to reality without pain, Chloe thought to herself.

And at that moment, she finally understood.

The cost of growing up was letting go of who I used to be–completely, Chloe realized.

Chloe hardly slept at all that night, and as dawn was barely breaking, she was already out of bed.

Her mom was transferred to the general ward last night, so Chloe had to head over to the hospital first thing in the morning.

Chloe felt a sudden tug at her waist and turned around.

Ian, still drowsy from sleep, slipped his arm naturally around her waist. “Why don’t you stay in bed a little longer?” his voice was low and relaxed.

Chloe gave lan a brief glance before getting out of bed.

Standing at the double vanity, their gazes locked in the mirror, tension silently crackling between them.

Ian offered Chloe a toothbrush, already prepped with toothpaste.

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Chapter 82

Chloe paused, then took it from him, her face completely expressionless.

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After three years of marriage, Chloe couldn’t even remember how many times fan had put toothpaste on her brush or handed her a face towel.

Maybe it was all those little everyday gestures that had made her lose herself, drawing her in deeper and deeper until she was completely caught up in this marriage.

Chloe lingered in the bathroom, taking her time before finally stepping out.

lan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, his voice gentle. “Your mom’s awake. You can go see her whenever you’re ready.”

As soon as she heard that her mom was finally awake, a hint of life returned to Chloe’s weary face.

lan said, “Professor Sutton’s flying back to Tecnovia today. I’m going to see him off and thank him. You’ve always had great taste–could you pick out a suit for me?”

Chloe simply froze, making no move.

It was like Ian was sending her a message–reminding her that Professor Sutton had rushed to the hospital for her mom in the middle of the night, and it was all thanks to his influence.

Without so much as a flicker of emotion, Chloe coolly drew her hand back and turned to head for the dressing room.

Ian’s closet was filled exclusively with tailored suits in dark shades, matched with shirts in muted tones, and when winter came around, he’d layer up with long, formal overcoats.

When they’d just gotten married, Chloe was always complaining that all his shirts were either black or white. She tried to change up his style, buying him shirts in all sorts of colors.

She’d tried everything–pouting, feeling wronged, picking small fights–just to get him to wear the shirts she’d carefully picked for him.

But in the end, lan didn’t wear a single one.

And now, after three years of seeing him in nothing but the same monochrome suits, Chloe had gotten completely used to it.

Looking back at how hard she’d tried for lan, Chloe felt a quiet regret–none of it was ever really worth it.

Chloe passed the suit over to Jan, her face blank, just going through the motions.

Ian didn’t even bother turning away–he changed right there in front of her, completely at ease, as if Chloe wasn’t even really there,

Chloe turned to leave the dressing room, but lan caught her around the waist, stopping her in her tracks.

As she started to walk away, Ian slipped his arm tightly around her waist, refusing to let her go.

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Chapter 82

lan locked eyes with her, his voice low. I’m heading out now.”

From the very first day she married Ian, Chloe had always been that clingy wife—always asking for a kiss before he left for work, and then demanding another when he came home at night.

Cora looked at Chloe worriedly. “Chloe, lan said your blood sugar is low, so I made you some fish porridge.”

Chloe shook her head. “Cora, I’ll skip breakfast. I need to get to the hospital.”

Cora sighed and gently led her into the dining room. “Chloe, it’s your own body. No matter how important things seem, you have to look after yourself first.”

Chloe shot Cora a grateful look and picked up her spoon. “Thank you, Cora.”

Chloe managed to force down a few bites, then made her way to the hospital.

When Jill saw Chloe, she couldn’t help herself–her eyes filled instantly and tears spilled over, heart aching for her daughter.

Carl, looking awkward and caught between boyhood and adulthood, stood in front of Chloe, shifting from foot to foot, trying to speak but unable to get a single word out.

Chloe reached out and ruffled her younger brother’s buzz cut with trembling fingers, heart twisting painfully inside for him.

She pushed all the pain deep down and managed to pull out a shaky smile, desperate to look strong for her family.

Chloe settled down next to the hospital bed and squeezed Jill’s hand. “Mom, you and Dad really don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine, I promise,” Chloe said, forcing herself to sound like she meant it.

Jill’s lips quivered, but she didn’t say a word.

Chloe forced a casual smile, trying to lighten the mood. “Look at my cousin–her husband could barely scrape by, but that didn’t stop him from cheating, did it?” she joked, her voice tinged with bitter humor.

“Hey, at least the Hamilton family is rolling in cash and influence,” Chloe went on, keeping her tone breezy. “I get the best of the best–designer clothes, fancy meals, five–star living, you name it.”

Before her parents could get another word in, Chloe’s quick retort shut them right up.

At noon, Chloe sat with her parents and little brother in the hospital room, sharing lunch together.

The four of them crowded around a small table–bitterness and warmth mingling in every moment.

At that moment, they heard a knock at the door.

All four of them glanced over as lan came in, holding a stacked lunchbox in his hands.

Chloe stood up. “Why’d you come by?”

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Chapter 82

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Ian set the lunchbox on the little dining table. “It’s Little New Year today, so I thought I’d join you, your folks, and Carl for lunch.”

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