The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

Kindred spirits, huh?

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Chloe let out a biting laugh. “I used to half get it, but now I finally understand why I had to be Mrs. Hamilton.”

lan’s eyes flickered as he stared at her. “Let’s hear it.”

They stared each other down in silence.

Chloe smirked, her lips curling with irony.

She’d been born into genuine high society–refined manners and pride were engraved in her very bones.

She was naturally aristocratic–never the type to have a catfight with a mistress, nor would she ever let a failed marriage make her lose her dignity.

But once the Irvine family raised her into a jewel and then lost everything, she was left with no safety net, no backing, free for him to mold as he pleased.

Ian wanted someone who fit his image, and she was the perfect match.

Just then, Patrick stormed over, shooting lan a vicious glare before grabbing Chloe and dragging her off.

Ian calmly stepped in front of them, his face unreadable. “When did you get back?” he asked.

Patrick shot him a cold look, his tone prickly with annoyance.

“If you hadn’t called my dad, would I have been shipped off and stuck overseas for so long? You’re cold- blooded, Ian. I can’t be bothered with you.”

Chloe shot Patrick a grateful look.

No wonder she hadn’t seen him since she returned–his dad had shipped him off overseas and basically kept him under lock and key.

Patrick slapped Ian’s hand away from Chloe’s waist. “Keep your filthy hands off her. I need to talk to Chloe.”

Ian just let it slide, not bothering to bicker with Patrick.

He turned to Chloe, his voice gentle. “I’m going to talk to Mr. Langley. Don’t run around while I’m gone.”

Chloe played along with a quick “mm,” keeping up appearances, then turned and left with Patrick.

They ducked into a small side room off the main hall.

Patrick asked, “Has he messed with you again since you came back?”

Chloe honestly had no idea where to even begin.

13:34 Thu, Oct 2 M.

Chapter 86

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Ever since Andrea and her son showed back up, lan has had Chloe completely under his control, and she’s pretty much felt suffocated and trapped every single moment.

Patrick had grown up side by side with Ian, so nobody knew better than him just what kinds of tricks Ian had up his sleeve.

He shot Chloe some tough love. “Listen, at this point, you gotta be realistic. People get by fine without love, but without cash, forget it. The more practical you are, the less this whole mess hurts.”

Chloe nodded, picking up on what he meant. “Patrick, don’t keep throwing shade at him because of me. I’m over it.”

It was Ian who personally shattered the feelings she’d clung to for so long.

She’d survived all those agonizing nights and days, times when living felt worse than dying.

From now on, nothing in this world could ever bring her down again.

After talking for a while, they went back to the venue–only to find Ian had completely vanished.

Yvonne Langley pulled Chloe aside and whispered, “Ian just got a call and rushed off.”

‘Chloe instantly knew what was up, she thought to herself.

If there was anyone who could beckon Ian away with a single call, it could only be Andrea–the woman he truly cared about.

“Patrick, I’m heading out,” Chloe said calmly as she left.

When she got home late that night, Ian was, as expected, nowhere to be seen.

Chloe took a shower, changed into her pajamas, and curled up on the couch, chatting with her brother on WhatsApp.

Just as she was about to head to bed, Ian walked in.

Seeing him coming straight for her, Chloe stayed put, not moving an inch.

Ian bent down and gently laid a blanket over Chloe’s shoulders.

He asked, “Why’d you come home by yourself without telling me?”

13:34 Thu, Oct 2 M…

Chloe looked up, meeting lan’s deep, unreadable gaze.

She said, “I understand. You and Ms. Sherman are in love, but you can’t exactly be together out in the open.”

“Chloe!” Ian snapped, cutting her off, his face turning cold.

She locked eyes with Ian, her voice sharp. “What I really get now is how much it must suck for you–loving Andrea, but forced to put up with me day after day. I bet you’re just as fed up with all this as I am.”

She wasn’t crying, she wasn’t losing it, and she wasn’t making any threats.

He’d always wanted her to really understand him, and now she finally said it out loud—she finally did.

But instead of feeling any relief, Ian found his chest tighter than ever, weighed down by an ache he couldn’t

shake.

He trudged into the bedroom, only to see Chloe already curled up in bed.

The blanket was pulled up to her chest, her thin shoulders exposed. Her long hair spread out all over the pillow, and even without a trace of makeup, just lying there, she looked stunning.

13:34 Thu, Oct 2 M…

Chapter 86

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lan stood by the bed, just watching her in silence for a long moment before finally turning and heading into

the bathroom.

When he came out after his shower, Chloe was still lying on her side, exactly where he’d left her.

He knew she wasn’t asleep, but with her eyes closed and that quiet emptiness hanging around her, the air felt stifling, weighing down the entire room.

Ian lifted a corner of the blanket and slipped into bed, reaching over to turn Chloe gently towards him and pulling her into his arms.

Chloe kept her eyes shut, completely shutting Ian out–she gave him no response at all.

Ian smoothed her long hair, then leaned down and kissed her gently on her brow and eyelids.

Chloe finally dropped the act. She braced her hands against Ian’s chest, trying to put space between them. “I’m exhausted. If you have needs, go find Andrea.”

Ian leaned over, pressing Chloe down beneath him.

He planted his hands on either side of her, leaning in, gazing down at her–his eyes searching her face for any hint of emotion.

His voice was low and heavy as he asked, “Chloe, I’m your husband. Is that really what you want–just to push me out of your life?”

If she was upset, he didn’t care if she wanted to yell at him or stir up a fight–he could take her anger, if that’s what she needed.

Chloe pressed her palms against Ian’s chest, eyes cold as she fired back, “Isn’t this the outcome you’ve been chasing from the start?”