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1.Chapter 1 It’s Time To Let Go
Ian Hamilton’s first love, who had left him six years ago, suddenly returned from abroad. She was now accompanied by a five-year-old son. Using business trips as an excuse, Ian had been avoiding going home for an entire month.
It was their third wedding anniversary. Chloe Irvine had prepared a candlelit dinner and bought a gift for Ian. She sent him a text, but by 9 pm, he still hadn’t come home. Instead, Chloe received a call from Ian’s younger sister, Mia Hamilton.
Mia reminded Chloe to check the message she had sent. After hanging up, Chloe opened her chat with Mia. Her smile froze the moment she saw what was on the screen.
The plate in Chloe’s hand fell and shattered on the floor. A piece of ceramic scraped her ankle, and bright red blood began to ooze from the cut. But Chloe didn’t have any reaction.
Mia had sent Chloe a screenshot of Ian’s Instagram post. It showed that he had booked out the entire Riverfront Promenade and set off birthday fireworks, all for his first love and their son.
Chloe bent down to pick up her phone and swiped through the screenshots one by one: the beach, the yacht, the fireworks and the bouquets of roses.
And there was her husband, holding a four-or-five-year-old child in one arm. His other hand, still bearing their wedding ring, rested intimately on the waist of another woman.
It was a set of beautiful, romantic photos captioned, [A blueberry cake I made with my own hands, for the loves of my life.] Even through the screen, the overwhelming affection felt almost tangible.
Chloe’s mind went blank. All thought seemed to shut down. Frantically, she checked Ian’s Instagram, only to find it completely empty. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. It was only then that she realized he had hidden his account from her.
The screenshots shattered the last shred of hope she still held for Ian. Refusing to give up, she called him. When he didn’t answer, she called again.
After he hung up for the third time, she received a text from him with just one word “Busy.” The impatience in that single word was unmistakable.
Helplessness, anger, jealousy, and denial twisted together inside Chloe. It was a storm of emotions she could not control. She curled into herself, hands clutching her head as though her heart were being ripped apart.
Waves of suffocation rose in her chest. She grabbed fistfuls of her own hair and screamed out in raw frustration, before finally breaking into heavy, wrenching sobs.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. She struggled to her feet and opened it. Mia stared in shock at Chloe’s disheveled appearance. “Chloe, are you okay?” Still tear-streaked and pale, Chloe simply shook her head.
Mia stamped her foot in anger, “Chloe, let’s go to the Riverfront Promenade to find Ian right now.”
Chloe took a slow breath to steady herself. “Mia, I can handle what’s happening with Ian myself.” Her mother had just undergone heart bypass surgery and was still in the hospital. Now was not the time for her to fall apart.
By the time Mia left, it was already midnight. Chloe wandered through every corner of the house like a ghost.
She and Ian grew up together. Everyone knew she had loved him since childhood. But they also knew Ian was still haunted by a past love, someone he could never forget. In the end, he married Chloe only to fulfill an arranged family obligation.
Throughout their three years of marriage, she had clung to the naive belief that if she tried hard enough, she could eventually win his heart. But instead of his love, she was met with the news of his extravagant reunion with the one he had never forgotten.
She had given him everything—her childhood crush, her adult love and all her precious youth. Now, it was time to let go.
Her mind knew exactly what she had to do, but her heart ached so deeply that it felt hard to breathe. The conflict was unbearable. That night, Ian still did not come home.
For the next three days, Chloe stayed at the hospital to care for her mother. Throughout that time, Ian never called or sent a single message. When her mother’s condition stabilized, her father urged her to go home and get some proper rest.
Late at night, Chloe was half-asleep when she heard the bedroom door open. Then the sound of running water came from the bathroom.
A short while later, she felt the mattress dip beside her. The clean, fresh scent of men’s body wash roused her slightly from her drowsiness.
Before she could react, she was pulled into Ian’s arms. ‘After more than a month, he has finally decided to come home. He must have had such a wonderful time with his little family of three,’ she thought to herself.
Sensing the tension in Chloe’s body, Ian knew she was awake. He tightened his arm around her waist, turning her toward him.
His lips, hungry and insistent, found the sensitive skin of her neck, while his hand slid beneath the covers and tugged gently at the strap of her nightie.
Throughout their three years of marriage, the only time Ian showed her any tenderness or passion was in bed. Every time she saw him lose control with desire, she let herself believe, even if just for a moment, that he loved her too.
Instinctively, her hand flew to his, stopping it as it wandered across her skin. For the first time in their marriage, Chloe turned her face away and said, “Don’t.”
Her voice, still hoarse from earlier tears, sounded to Ian like a sign of arousal, and his kisses grew even more intense. He knew her body far too well. With deliberate skill, he teased the sensitive spots she could hardly resist.
Just as Chloe was on the verge of giving in, those beautiful, romantic images flooded her mind: the beach, the yacht, the fireworks, the roses.
She saw her husband’s hand, still wearing their wedding ring but resting on that woman’s waist. And that caption, dripping with a love that wasn’t for her, pierced her straight through the heart.
A wave of nausea rose suddenly in her stomach. Chloe pushed Ian away and knelt beside the bed, retching violently. The lights turned on, and whatever intimacy had filled the room moments before vanished completely.
Ian got out of bed and gently patted Chloe’s back. “Are you feeling sick?” he asked. Chloe pushed his hand away, got up, and walked straight into the bathroom. She wasn’t ill. She was just utterly disgusted.
Ian frowned slightly as he watched her walk away, then went downstairs to pour a glass of water for her. He didn’t notice her red, swollen eyes, her strained voice, or the fresh cut on her ankle.
A few minutes later, when Ian returned to the bedroom, Chloe had already come out of the bathroom and was getting into bed.
He handed her the glass of water. “I’ll book a restaurant tomorrow to make up for our anniversary,” he said. There was no explanation, no guilt, just a flat announcement.
Chloe ignored the glass he offered, got into bed, and said flatly, “No need.” A bitter disappointment washed over her. ‘So he remembers it’s our anniversary, and yet he chose to book out the beach and set off fireworks with his old lover and their son.’
Ever since they married, she had taken care of his every need, refusing to let him lift a finger at home. Yet he had willingly lowered his pride and even baked a blueberry cake with his own hands for that woman and her son.
He had cheated on her and had a five-year-old son with his former lover, and yet he could still act as though nothing was wrong, touching her with familiar intimacy, standing before her without a trace of shame, and speaking those painfully casual words.
For the first time, Chloe realized that the man she had loved for so many years was so hypocritical. An uneasy silence fell between them, thickening the air. Just then, the screen of Ian’s phone lit up.
2.readers Chapter 2 You Look So Pale
Ian glanced at the message, then at Chloe. When she showed no reaction, he quickly typed a reply and turned off his phone. Distracted, he murmured, “Let’s just sleep.”
Chloe could not sleep. Even with her eyes closed, she could not erase from her mind the image of Ian holding his son in one arm and embracing his former lover with the other.
Anger urged her to grab Ian’s phone right then and there and confront him with everything. But reason held her back. Her mother had just undergone heart bypass surgery and was still recovering in the hospital. Now was not the time to start a messy divorce.
At 3 am, Ian’s phone screen lit up again. About ten minutes later, he left the villa. As the sound of his car engine faded from the yard, Chloe slowly opened her eyes.
‘A single text is all it takes to make him rush out in the middle of the night. That’s the power his first love still holds over him,’ she thought bitterly.
Chloe wanted to scream, to throw something, to let all the rage out. But she felt completely drained. She didn’t even have the strength to speak, let alone start a fight. Every ounce of energy had been sucked away, leaving only a hollow ache.
Early the next morning, Chloe forced herself to get up and brought breakfast to her parents at the hospital. The elderly couple was startled when they saw their daughter’s pale and weary face.
Chloe’s mother, Jill Spencer, lay weakly in the hospital bed. She was awake but fragile, tubes still running into her body. “Chloe,” she murmured, her voice faint with concern, “are you okay?”
Chloe quickly forced a smile, gently patting her mother’s hand. “Mom, don’t worry about me,” she said softly. “I just didn’t sleep well last night. That’s all. You should rest and focus on getting better.”
Her father, Frank Irvine, quietly peeled half an apple and handed it to her. “The doctor just made the rounds,” he said gently. “He mentioned there are no post-surgery complications and your mom’s incision is healing nicely. She should be able to go home in another week.”
Hearing that her mother’s surgery had been a success, Chloe finally let out a sigh of relief. After helping her mother finish breakfast, she went to see her mother’s attending doctor.
On her way back to the ward, she unexpectedly ran into Ian at the payment desk. With his imposing figure, handsome features, and the cold aura of someone in a high position, it was impossible for her to miss him.
Their eyes met. Ian’s brow tightened slightly as he walked toward her. Chloe noticed the stack of receipts in his hand but held her tongue, holding back the questions on her mind.
It was 9 am on a Wednesday morning, a time when Ian should have been presiding over the senior management meeting at Hamilton Group. His presence at the hospital during peak work hours told Chloe all she needed to know.
She wanted to ask, but didn’t dare. She was afraid she might lose control and scream like a madwoman, afraid her parents might see, and afraid she would break down before fixing anything. Enduring the heart wrenching pain, she stood quietly in place, waiting for Ian to speak first, or perhaps not to speak at all.
When Ian reached her, he moved to take the receipts from her hand. At that moment, his phone rang. He withdrew his hand, pulled out his phone, and glanced quickly at the screen. “I need to take this,” he said. “Go on without me.” Then he turned and strode quickly toward the elevator.
His voice softened as he answered, “Be good now, don’t be upset.” That gentle tone struck Chloe’s heart like an icy blade. Unable to hold back any longer, she hid in the restroom and sobbed uncontrollably.
‘So he was capable of being this patient and gentle,’ she thought, the realization bitter and aching. She had known Ian for twenty-five years, yet he had never once used such a tender tone with her.
Only when Chloe had finally steadied herself did she step out of the restroom. She quickly touched up her makeup and returned to the ward, forcing her expression into one of calm.
Jill took one look at her daughter and immediately knew something was wrong. After sending her husband out of the room, she reached out a hand toward Chloe. As Chloe drew near, Jill asked in a weak voice, “Sweetheart, did you and Ian have a fight?”
Chloe lowered her eyes and shook her head, a faint flush of guilt coloring her cheeks. “We’re fine, Mom, really,” she murmured, forcing a light tone.
Just as she finished speaking, her father Frank walked into the ward with Ian right behind him. Jill’s face brightened the moment she saw her son-in-law. “Ian, you’re so busy with work,” she said. “You really didn’t have to come all this way.”
Ian set down the elegant bouquet of flowers he was carrying. “Jill, I’ve arranged a consultation with a leading cardiologist for you,” he said. “Once you’re discharged, we’ll schedule a comprehensive health screening.”
Frank looked at his son-in-law with undisguised pride. “It’s so thoughtful of you, Ian,” he said warmly. “We’ve always been able to count on you, especially through times like this. Your support means more to us than we can say.”
Ian walked to the bedside, his eyes lingering on Chloe’s noticeably red and swollen eyes. “Frank, we’re family,” he said calmly. “There’s no need to be so formal.”
Chloe stood up to make room for Ian, but he gently pressed her back down. “I can stand,” he said. Seated again, Chloe watched him chat warmly with her parents, but soon found herself unable to look any longer and turned away.
Three years ago, the Irvine family went bankrupt and was drowning in huge debts. Despite public pressure, Ian not only helped them pay off the debts, settled her parents and sent her younger brother to an elite school, but also married her as promised.
Back then, she had naively believed Ian must have felt something for her. It wasn’t until after they were married, when she accidentally overheard a conversation between Ian and his father, that she finally understood the truth. He had only married her after coldly calculating the advantages.
Ian had told his father, “Reputation and integrity are the foundation of business. Lifting up the Irvine family in their downfall will earn us both public respect and financial advantage.”
He had been right. After their marriage, his reputation for integrity became the Hamilton Group’s most powerful advertisement.
It was also around that time she realized Ian had never gotten over his first love. Marrying her had been a compromise, a practical alternative, not a choice of the heart.
‘So the moment his old lover came back, he rushed to her side without a second thought. He was so glad she had given him a son that he completely forgot his wife waiting at home.’ Chloe thought, her face growing pale.
Jill, concerned for her daughter, asked Ian to take Chloe home to rest. Neither spoke as they left the ward and made their way silently toward the elevator.
Just as they reached it, Ian grabbed Chloe’s arm. “You look so pale,” he said, his voice low. “Did you not sleep well last night?”
A bitter smile touched Chloe’s lips. ‘He’s with her and their son now. He didn’t even remember our anniversary. And now he sees how awful I look, and all he thinks is that I didn’t sleep well? I should’ve known it from all the little things. How could I have lied to myself for so long?’
Chloe quietly withdrew her hand. “Don’t let me keep you. I think I’ll walk around for a bit.” The elevator doors opened, but instead of getting in, she turned toward a different one.
Ian took her by the arm and guided her firmly into the elevator. “I’ve booked a table for tonight at your favorite restaurant,” he said. Chloe responded with a noncommittal hum, too drained to even pretend to care.
As more people stepped into the elevator, Ian drew Chloe firmly against his side. Looking down at the unusually quiet woman in his arms, he frowned slightly.
Ever since he had known her, Chloe had always been so lively, bubbling with energy, finding any excuse to be near him, and calling his name over and over. But now she had gone completely quiet, like a puppet whose strings had been cut.
When they stepped out of the elevator, Chloe declined Ian’s offer to drive her home. After they parted ways, she went straight to a law firm. She paid a premium hourly rate to have a divorce agreement drafted without delay.
3.Chapter 3 Don’t Wait For Me
At 7 pm, Chloe arrived at the restaurant. With practiced ease, Ian pulled out her chair for her. She sat down quietly and watched as he ordered.
Dressed in a black business suit and matching shirt, Ian carried himself not with dull monotony, but with understated elegance.
Raised since childhood as the heir to the Hamilton family, he came from an impeccable background, received superior education, possessed sharp intellect, and demonstrated polished manners.
In all the twenty-five years Chloe had known him, she had never heard him swear or lose his temper. He even spoke to waiters with consistent courtesy, as though every situation remained firmly within his control.
‘Ian is exceptional, and yet he has married a woman he doesn’t love. Of course it will end in divorce,’ Chloe thought, the truth bitter and cold within her.
While they waited for their food, Ian set a small jewelry box down beside Chloe’s plate. “For our third anniversary,” he said. She tightened her grip on her water glass, gave a slight nod, and glanced at the box with detached calm.
She had loved Ian for twenty-two years and been his wife for three. No one understood better than her how cold he was beneath that polished, gentlemanly surface and how deliberately he kept her at a distance.
When she was young and naive, she used to beg him for gifts. Sometimes, worn down by her persistence, he would give in, and she would treasure and show off each gift for days.
After the Irvine family went bankrupt, her mother told her, “You’re just an ordinary girl now. We’re no longer their social equals. You are not worthy of Ian.” From that day on, Chloe never again acted like a spoiled princess, nor did she ever ask Ian for another gift.
And yet, even though he didn’t love her, Ian upheld every appearance of the perfect husband. He never missed an occasion, whether her birthday, Valentine’s Day, or their anniversary, each one marked with a thoughtful gift.
Noticing Chloe’s lack of interest, Ian opened the jewelry box himself and took out a diamond bracelet. She could tell at a glance that it was worth well over a million.
Reaching out, Ian took Chloe’s left hand to clasp the bracelet around her wrist. Chloe instinctively tried to pull back. His grip tightened as his eyes held hers with quiet intensity. “You don’t like it?”
There was a time when even a simple hair tie from him would have made her heart flutter for days. But now, as he tried to fasten an exquisite diamond bracelet around her wrist, she instinctively pulled away.
Chloe shook her head, her expression cool and detached. “It’s fine,” she said. Her hand lay still in his, neither accepting nor resisting, just suspended in wordless ambiguity.
Ian fastened the bracelet around her wrist, his fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary. “It looks beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you,” she replied, her tone polite but utterly devoid of warmth. She let her hand rest limply in his for another moment before gently withdrawing it, the diamonds glittering coldly against her skin.
Ian frowned. Chloe had been following him around since they were children. From the moment she could talk, she had never hesitated to ask him for things.
She used to accept anything he gave her, no matter how small, with genuine delight. But now, after three years of marriage, she had somehow learned to be polite.
‘She must be throwing a fit, upset that I’ve been distant and chose Andrea over our anniversary,’ he thought. Picking up his utensils, he served her a portion. “Your favorite pancake.”
Chloe looked down at the dessert, then lifted her gaze to meet his. “If I said I wanted to taste a pancake made by you, would you actually learn to make it for me?” Her voice was soft, but the question hung in the air, sharp and testing.
Ian sliced his steak gracefully, his voice low and sensual. “Everyone has their strengths. Even the junior chefs here would cook better than me. Order anything you like. Don’t worry about the cost.”
Chloe lowered her eyes, concealing the disappointment and pain within. ‘Everyone has their strengths. What a convenient excuse. He could make a blueberry cake with his own hands for her and their son, even posting it proudly on Instagram. Yet he couldn’t be bothered to learn one dessert for me.’ The line between love and indifference had never been clearer.
She took a bite of the pancake. It tasted strangely bitter and unpleasant. Frowning, she forced herself to swallow it, much like she had been forcing down the bitterness in her heart, with no way to release it. All desire to speak left her. The food in her mouth tasted like sawdust.
As was his custom, Ian spoke little during the meal, his movements refined and controlled. A heavy silence settled between them, punctuated only by the occasional sound of silverware. The air grew thick with unspoken tension. Ian paused and looked at Chloe closely.
As a child, she could never sit still at the table. As she grew older, she would chatter endlessly through every meal. He had once wondered if she might have ADHD and even suggested to her parents that they have her seen by a doctor. Even when she was upset, she would cry or yell, and never withdraw into silence like this.
Irritated, Ian tugged at his collar. Just then, his phone screen lit up with a notification. He glanced at it and turned the screen face down.
Just as he reached for Chloe’s glass to refill her juice, his phone began to vibrate. He hesitated, declined the call, and finished pouring. But before he could set down the glass, the phone buzzed again.
Their eyes met, and Ian’s expression darkened a bit. Chloe’s attention, however, remained fixed on the persistently vibrating phone.
She had known him for years. Even when they needed to talk, one missed call was usually enough. If he didn’t answer, she would text. She might send message after message, but she never dared to flood his phone with relentless calls.
That was the line he had drawn for her. Besides, she understood his busy schedule and the formal environments he often worked in. She never wanted to be an inconvenience.
This call, however, was clearly from his unforgettable first love. Chloe saw not anger, but urgency flash in Ian’s eyes.
When the phone rang for the fourth time, he finally spoke. “I’ll leave the car for you. Go home and rest early. Don’t wait for me.”
As he rose, Chloe stood as well. Suppressing the heavy ache in her chest, she picked up her bag and phone. “Don’t worry about me,” she said evenly. “I’ll take a taxi home.” Ian offered no explanation, and Chloe asked for none.
Distracted, she bumped into a waiter passing by her table as she stepped away. Her phone and bag fell to the floor. Everything was scattered, including the divorce agreement she had printed earlier at the law firm.
Ian bent down to gather the papers, but Chloe swiftly retrieved the divorce agreement before he could reach it. It wasn’t time to confront him yet. She would wait until after her mother was discharged from the hospital.
Ian’s eyes swept over the scattered cosmetics, and then settled on the paper clutched in Chloe’s hand. His expression grew guarded when he reached toward it. “What is that document?”
“Just some medical paperwork,” Chloe lied, trying her best to keep her voice light.
“Is that so?” He didn’t believe her. His eyes remained fixed on her hand, his tone laced with quiet skepticism.
Chloe tried to pull away, but Ian still almost snatched the document from her grasp. For a moment, they were locked in a silent struggle, each holding an end of the paper, neither willing to yield.
Just as Chloe felt her grip beginning to slip on the corner, Ian’s phone buzzed once more. He shot her a sharp glance, then released his hold.
4.Chapter 4 Thrown Away
Ian left in a hurry, leaving his car for Chloe. Chloe, however, sent Ian’s driver away, hailed a taxi instead, and followed him all the way back to the hospital. She needed to see the woman who had held Ian’s heart all these years for herself.
Chloe followed Ian to the elevator and watched as he stepped inside. But when she arrived on the her mother’s floor from another elevator, Ian was already gone.
She couldn’t help but mock herself, ‘Once the proud daughter of the Irvine family, I’ve now been reduced to a jealous wife, shadowing my unfaithful husband.’
Her mood was utterly terrible. If she weren’t so afraid of worsening her mother’s fragile condition, she would have screamed at Ian, unleashed all her anger, and let him go for good. This torn, heart-wrenching feeling was pushing her to the edge of sanity.
After composing herself, Chloe dried her tears, reapplied her makeup, and made her way to her mother’s ward.
Seeing Chloe return to the hospital so late at night, Jill couldn’t conceal her concern. “Chloe, tell me honestly, is everything okay between you and Ian?”
Chloe pulled up a chair beside the bed and forced a faint smile. “Mom, we’re fine.” Once, she had confidently told her parents that marrying Ian would be her greatest happiness. But now, she just couldn’t bring herself to tell them their perfect son-in-law had cheated and that she wanted a divorce.
Frank handed Chloe some snacks their relatives had brought. “Chloe, in these three years of marriage, Ian has helped us a lot. If you have problems, talk to him calmly. Don’t act like a spoiled princess anymore.”
Jill looked at her daughter with tender concern. “You’re twenty-five now. It’s time to build a stable life. Ian is the sole heir to the Hamilton family. You should have a child with him soon. That’s what will secure your future together.”
Chloe fell silent. It wasn’t that she didn’t want a child. The truth was, Ian had always refused to have one with her. She remembered one time after he returned from a week-long business trip, she had hidden all the contraceptives in advance.
That night, Ian had been unusually passionate, and they made love without protection. Overjoyed, she believed he had finally agreed to have a child with her. But the next morning, when she woke, Ian handed her a box of morning-after pills, and even made sure she took one right then.
After that, she gave up all her schemes and buried any hope of having his child. It was only now that she understood Ian wasn’t opposed to children. He simply didn’t want them with her.
Carl Irvine, Chloe’s younger brother, stopped by the hospital after school. When he saw Chloe, he grinned and pulled her into a warm hug. “Chloe, I just ran into Ian outside.”
Chloe’s smile stiffened on her lips. Noticing her daughter’s reaction, Jill’s expression turned concerned. “Chloe,” she asked cautiously, “did Ian come here with you just now?”
Chloe quickly tried to cover her discomfort. “He came to visit a friend. I just tagged along for the ride.” Then she turned to her brother, her voice deliberately calm. “Carl, where did you see him?”
Carl scratched his head. “I saw him in the elevator just as I was getting on. Looked like he pressed thirteen.”
After making a quick excuse to her parents, Chloe went up to the 13th floor alone. Too uneasy to ask at the nurses’ station, she walked slowly down the hallway, glancing into each private room.
Even though she had done nothing wrong, her heart pounded harder with every step. The entire floor was reserved for VIP patients. The corridor was hushed and nearly empty.
Suddenly, Chloe froze outside a partially open door. Through the gap, she could see her husband, Ian, standing beside a hospital bed, holding a woman tenderly in his arms.
‘That has to be his long-remembered first love, Andrea Sherman, the woman who has always held his heart,’ Chloe had heard the name many times, but now, she was seeing Andrea for the first time.
Andrea sat on the edge of the bed, her back to the door. She clung to Ian’s waist, her face buried against his chest, while her long hair cascaded like a waterfall over his arm. Even from behind, Chloe could know this Andrea must be beautiful.
Andrea rose to her feet, linking her arms around Ian’s neck. Her soft voice quivered with emotion. “Ian,” she whispered tearfully, “will you stay with me tonight?” Chloe was startled to realize just how intimate the two had become.
Ian gently loosened her arms from around his neck, and that was when Chloe saw the bracelet on Andrea’s wrist. Its diamonds glittered sharply, piercing her like needles.
Slowly, she raised her own left hand and understood the two bracelets were exactly the same. ‘He wasn’t saying it looked beautiful on me. He was praising the bracelet itself, the same one he had given to the woman he truly loved.’
Her mind went numb, the voices from the room fading into a distant hum. A wave of rage washed over her, shattering her self-control. In a burst of anger, she ripped the bracelet from her wrist and flung it away.
Stumbling blindly, she fled down the hall and collapsed in a deserted corner, sobbing uncontrollably. It felt like her heart was being torn apart.
Chloe couldn’t remember how she made it home. By the time her tears finally stopped, her mind had cleared, but her body felt heavy and numb. After a shower, she picked up the hair dryer, but her fingers were too stiff to even press the button.
When she was lying quietly in bed, her red and swollen eyes had long run dry. She had buried her pain deep down. Even losing control or breaking down required the right time and place. This, she understood now, was what it meant to be an adult.
‘Once Mom is discharged, I’ll end this as soon as possible.’ The mere thought of divorcing Ian in just a few days sent a tremor through her entire body.
In the stillness of the night, every suppressed emotion came rushing back, magnifying the pain until it was almost unbearable.
She curled tightly into herself, hands pressed over her face, and broke into helpless, shaking sobs. Huddled small in the silent darkness, she looked lost and fragile, like a sleepwalker trapped in a private hell.
At the same time, back at the hospital, Ian had just finished comforting Andrea and went to the nurses’ station to pick up a thermometer. He noticed a small group of nurses gathered together, chatting animatedly.
When his eyes fell on the diamond bracelet in one nurse’s hand, his expression tightened instantly. He stepped forward, took the bracelet without a word, and examined the engraved inscription. The moment he confirmed it was the one he had given Chloe, his heart dropped.
His voice turned sharp. “Where did this come from?” Chloe was particular about gifts. Every piece of jewelry he gave her was engraved with the letter I, her exclusive mark. He knew without a doubt that this bracelet was hers and that she must have been here.
The nurses were frightened by his intense expression. One quickly stepped forward to explain, “I’m sorry, Mr. Hamilton. This was thrown away by a very beautiful lady earlier. She said she didn’t want it anymore.”
‘Thrown away?’ The words echoed sharply in Ian’s mind. A few minutes later, he returned to the ward and handed the thermometer to Andrea. “I’ve spoken to the nurses,” he said calmly. “A caregiver will be here shortly to stay with you.”
Andrea pushed herself up weakly from the bed, her voice trembling slightly. “Ian,” she said, “you promised you would stay here with me tonight.”
Ian gently guided her back onto the bed. “Something urgent has come up at home. I need to take care of it,” he said.
Andrea released his hand obediently, yet her voice held a subtle note of concern. “Ian, this is all my fault. My son and I have been taking up so much of your time lately. Your wife must be feeling neglected. You should go home and comfort her.”
Ian adjusted Andrea’s pillow to help her lie down more comfortably. “Don’t worry,” he said, his voice even. “She’s fine.”
5.Chapter 5 Breaking Point
In the dead of night, Ian returned home. The house was plunged in total darkness, every light turned off. Unused to the emptiness, he paused for a moment in the doorway before finally switching on the lights.
Throughout their three years of marriage, no matter how late he returned, Chloe would always be waiting for him on the living room sofa, with the TV casting a soft glow across the room.
The moment she saw him, she would run over barefoot, leap into his arms, and cling to him playfully, refusing to let go. But tonight, she hadn’t even left a single light on for him. It was then that he realized she was truly angry.
Dragging his tired feet into the bedroom, he found it still enveloped in darkness. With the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains, he turned on the bedside lamp. The sudden light made Chloe instinctively bury her face deeper into the pillow.
Ian sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to gently brush the stray hair from her forehead, checking to see if she was truly asleep.
But Chloe kept her face buried, refusing to show any response. After a moment’s hesitation, Ian turned away and walked into the bathroom.
Listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom, Chloe slowly opened her eyes. Her damp eyelashes fluttered faintly as she drew a shaky breath. Then she buried her face deeper into the pillow.
Ian stepped out of the bathroom wearing a dark bathrobe, his hair still damp and dripping. He bent down quietly to check on Chloe. When he saw she was still asleep, he switched off the lamp and retreated alone to his study.
The study was dark. Ian stood by the window, lit a cigarette, and held up the diamond bracelet in his hand. ‘She couldn’t have found out. If she had, with her temperament, she would have made a scene. Her bracelet turning up on the 13th floor must be a coincidence,’ Ian thought.
Early the next morning, Chloe got up, washed, and got ready to bring breakfast to her parents. Ian stepped out of the walk-in closet, fully dressed. Without any intention of speaking to Ian, Chloe simply picked up her phone and turned to leave.
Ian moved swiftly in front of her, his hand closing around her empty wrist. “Where’s the bracelet? Why aren’t you wearing it?” His eyes held hers, demanding an answer.
Chloe lowered her eyes, her voice coming out hoarse and barely audible. “I’m not sure,” she murmured. “Maybe I lost it somewhere.” She tried to pull her wrist back, avoiding his gaze.
Ian ignored her hoarse voice and fixed her with a penetrating stare. “I ran into Carl last night,” he said, his tone deliberate and searching. He watched her closely, waiting for any shift in her expression.
Only then did Chloe realize he was testing her. She took a deep breath and met his gaze directly. “After we parted ways last night, I went back to the hospital to check on my mom. Carl mentioned he saw you heading to the 13th floor. I went up to look for you, but when I couldn’t find you, I decided to come home.”
Ian took the diamond bracelet from his pocket. “You dropped this at the hospital,” he said, holding it out to her. “I found it and brought it back for you.” He carefully avoided the real issue, never explaining what had brought him there in the first place.
Ian tried to fasten the bracelet around Chloe’s wrist once more, but she pushed his hand away and drew her arm back firmly. “I don’t want it,” she said, her voice quiet but resolute.
For once, Ian tried to coax her patiently. “Just wear this for now,” he said, his voice softening. “Once I wrap things up at work, I’ll take you to pick out a new one. You can get anything you want.”
Chloe felt as if she were losing her mind. All the resentment and helplessness she had suppressed for days erupted at that moment.
Her composure shattered completely. “I said I don’t want it! I don’t want gifts that aren’t exclusive! And I don’t want a husband who isn’t fully mine!”
Seeing Chloe finally lose her temper, Ian felt a wave of private relief. ‘She’s been spoiled since she was little, always gets emotional when she doesn’t get her way. So that’s all this is. She’s just mad that the bracelet wasn’t exclusive.’
Ian naturally wrapped his hands around Chloe’s slender waist and leaned in to kiss her. But the moment their lips met, she pushed him away with unexpected force.
Unlike before, when even his slightest touch would set her ablaze, now she cried and twisted away in refusal. “I don’t want this! Stop!” She fought like a madwoman, shoving, pushing, striking out at him in raw anguish.
Ian grabbed her wrists, his patience wearing thin. “Chloe, that’s enough,” he said. He could tolerate her occasional willfulness, but not this level of hysteria. Trying to talk to her now was pointless.
Chloe’s emotions spiraled completely out of control. “I’ve been like this since I was a child,” she shot back, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. “What, did it just now occur to you?”
Ian remained extremely calm. “Is this really all about a bracelet?” he asked, his tone cool and detached. “You’re acting like it’s the end of the world over a piece of jewelry.”
Chloe started throwing things around like a lunatic. “You know exactly what you’ve done, Ian!” she screamed, tears streaming down her face as she shoved him violently toward the door. “Weren’t you the one who refused to come home? Then go! Get out!”
Ian pulled her firmly against his chest, restraining her flailing arms. “Enough,” he said, his voice low but commanding. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”
Just then, the vibration of Ian’s phone interrupted their argument at the worst possible moment. His hasty move to hang up the call only provoked Chloe further.
She reached for his phone. “Answer it. You’re always so busy with work. Answer it then!” She had reached her breaking point.
When Ian still refused to hand over the phone, Chloe bit his hand. Startled by the pain, he shoved her back so hard that she lost her balance and fell to the floor with a heavy thud.
The room went completely quiet. Ian stood breathing heavily as he looked at Chloe lying motionless on the ground, her hair disheveled. Finally, he turned away, too tired to go on.
When Chloe was a child, she was playful and knew just what to say to win people over. When she was a teenager, she was pretty and kind, lighting up any room she entered.
When she became an adult, she was affectionate and clingy, always cuddling up to him and asking for kisses. After marriage, she slowly left her childish ways behind and became a gentle, thoughtful wife, always ready to care for him.
No matter which version of her it was, she had always been bright, confident, and carried herself with dignity. She had never acted like a shrew, had never been hysterical, and certainly had never screamed at Ian like this.
“We’ll talk when you’ve calmed down,” Ian said, his voice flat and distant. Without another word or a single glance back, he turned and walked out the door, leaving her alone in the tense, heavy silence.
Just then, Mia arrived to see Chloe. Ian glanced toward the second floor and said, “She’s in a bad mood. I’ll order some food for her. Later, you make sure she eats something and take her out for a walk to lift her spirits.” Without waiting for a reply, he was already gone.
‘This isn’t the first time she has faked passing out. Before, whenever she made me angry, she’d pretend to faint, act sick, or play the victim. Every time I saw that pitiful look on her face, I’d give in. But this time she has gone too far. She needs to cool down on her own,’ Ian thought.
Mia rushed upstairs and entered the master bedroom. Her heart dropped when she saw Chloe lying motionless on the floor.
She hurried over to help Chloe up, only to realize Chloe had truly passed out. Panicked, she immediately tried calling Ian, but the line was busy. With no other choice, she finally dialed 911.
When Chloe woke, she found herself in a hospital room. Her sister-in-law Mia and mother-in-law Miranda Hamilton were both standing by her bed.
Seeing Chloe awake, Miranda moved closer and asked with concern, “Chloe, are you feeling better now?”
Chloe nodded weakly, her voice barely a whisper. “Miranda,” she murmured, “why am I in the hospital?” She tried to sit up slightly, her eyes confused and weary.
Mia gently helped Chloe sit up, propping a pillow behind her back for support. “Chloe,” she said softly, “you fainted at home earlier.”
Chloe slowly regained her memory. She remembered arguing with Ian, biting him, and then being thrown off balance. She glanced around the ward and asked Mia, “Did Ian bring me here and then just leave?”
6.Chapter 6 Have You Calmed Down Now?
“I was the one who called 911. Ian, he…” Mia began quickly, but she trailed off as she noticed the look on Chloe’s face. It was still too late. The damage was already done.
Chloe closed her eyes, her heart turning to ash. ‘Of course. His first love is back, even with their five-year-old son. Why would he have any time left to care about me?’
A sharp pain pierced through Chloe’s heart. Clutching her chest, she curled inward and whispered, “Miranda, Mia, my mother just had bypass surgery. I can’t let her and my dad see me like this in the hospital. Please, can you take me home?”
Miranda immediately told Mia to get the car ready. “The doctor said you fainted due to low blood sugar and extreme emotional distress,” she explained gently. “You’ll recover better resting at home. It’ll be more comfortable for you.”
She paused, then added firmly, “I will support you through this. I’ve already called Ian and told him to come back immediately.”
On the way home, Chloe reminded both Miranda and Mia once more not to interfere in her and Ian’s relationship. No matter how painful, she was determined to end things herself.
After returning home, Mia and Miranda stayed by Chloe’s side all day, giving her medicine and warm broth, yet Ian never returned.
Chloe drifted in and out of sleep throughout the day. By that evening, she had regained a little strength. She finally managed to persuade both Miranda and Mia to go and get some rest.
Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, Chloe barely recognized the gaunt, weary face staring back at her. She squeezed toothpaste onto her brush, cleaned her teeth mechanically, and reached to return the cup to its holder. But her hand trembled, and the cup slipped, shattering on the tile floor with a sharp, echoing crack.
Chloe slowly knelt and picked up one of the broken shards. The couple’s portrait printed on the cup, featuring her and Ian, had fractured into small pieces.
She had custom-ordered this cup online for their first wedding anniversary. The image on the cup was based on a photo she had secretly taken of herself leaning affectionately against Ian.
Ian had called it childish at first and refused to use it. She had to beg him for an entire week. It was only after she heartbreakingly cried all night that he finally gave in and started using it.
Chloe’s hard-won calm shattered again. She stood up, smashed the other matching cup into pieces, and then swept every item off the bathroom counter. She moved wildly from the sink to the shower, destroying everything in her path.
Ten minutes later, she collapsed weakly onto the floor, surrounded by scattered toiletries, shards of glass, bath towels, charging cables, and other debris.
Lying amid the chaos, Chloe began to laugh through her tears. She had imagined countless futures with Ian, but never once had she pictured it ending like this. ‘How utterly pathetic.’
At the same time, back at Hamilton Manor, Miranda was furious when Ian finally returned. “Ian, how can you treat Chloe like this? Do you even know she ended up in the hospital?”
Ian’s expression remained cold and detached. “What did the doctor say?” he asked, his tone devoid of concern. He didn’t even look at his mother, his attention already drifting elsewhere.
Mia shot her brother a sharp glare. “The doctor said Chloe fainted from low blood sugar and from pure rage because of you,” she stated bluntly. Ian merely responded with a hum.
Miranda could no longer hold back her anger. “Your wife fainted at home, and you, as her husband, have neglected your duty completely. Is this how you take responsibility?”
Ian replied calmly, his expression unmoved, “There’s no need to worry. She’s perfectly fine.” He still believed he knew Chloe better than anyone else, ‘She’s just putting on an act.’
Miranda threw Chloe’s medical report at Ian. He skimmed it with a dismissive glance. ‘How impressive,’ he thought coldly. ‘She didn’t just lie to the family. She even managed to fool the doctor.’
Miranda handed Ian a thermal container of warm broth. “Take this to Chloe,” she instructed. “Go back to your house now and make sure she’s alright. Don’t keep her waiting.”
Shane Hamilton, Ian’s father, snapped at Miranda, “What would you know? You’re just a housewife. A real man builds his career out in the world. Chloe’s family is bankrupt. She is useless for Ian’s career. We haven’t even blamed her for holding Ian back or asked Ian to divorce her. That’s generosity enough. She should be grateful.”
Edward Hamilton, Ian’s grandfather, added with a dark expression, “What good is a woman with no career, no children, and not even the ability to take care of herself?”
Ian had no desire to continue the discussion. He offered a few simple responses, picked up the thermos, and walked out of the living room. Mia hurried after him. “Ian,” she asked cautiously, “has that woman come back?”
Ian froze, his hand still resting on the car door. He turned and stared at Mia, his expression guarded. “What woman are you talking about?” he asked, his voice low and deliberately calm.
Mia clenched her fists, her voice tight with anger. “That woman from your Instagram post the other night. She came back with a kid. I saw everything.” She held his gaze, refusing to let him evade the truth.
Ian’s eyes darkened dangerously. “Did you tell Chloe?” he asked. The air around them grew tense as he took a step closer, his expression unreadable yet threatening.
Mia was stunned into silence by Ian’s sharp gaze. She stammered briefly before answering guiltily, “Chloe has always been so kind to me. I was afraid she might leave if she found out. How could I ever tell her?”
She thought to herself, ‘Chloe made me promise not to say anything. She must have her own plan, something she needs to handle alone. I have to trust her on this.’
Ian’s expression softened noticeably. He warned her, “Watch your mouth. If I find out you’ve been running your mouth, you’ll never get another penny of allowance from me again.”
Watching Ian drive away, Mia stamped her foot in frustration. ‘This is a disaster.’, she thought, her chest tight with dread. ‘He actually did it. He really cheated.’
Ian stepped back into his house, but the silence greeting him was deeper and colder than he remembered. He set the thermos of broth down on the dining table, and then headed upstairs without turning on any lights.
Not finding Chloe in the bedroom, he took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie, and undid the top button of his shirt before turning toward the bathroom.
‘She’s not even home at this hour. Probably at the hospital with her mother,’ he thought with mild irritation. ‘She couldn’t even finish the act.’
As he reached the bathroom door, the phone in his pocket began to vibrate. He checked the screen and paused to answer.
Andrea’s voice came through, laced with guilt, “Ian, you’re already busy with work, and yet you keep coming to the hospital for me. I’ve almost fully recovered. Can you help me get discharged?”
Hearing Andrea’s words, the weariness in Ian’s expression softened. “Just follow the doctor’s orders and stay a few more days. Once you’re discharged, I’ll take you and your son out shopping.”
Andrea’s voice brightened noticeably on the other end of the line. “Thank you, Ian. You’re still the same as you were six years ago. Nothing has changed at all. Now go get some rest. You’ve been working so hard lately.”
After ending the call, Ian set his phone aside and moved toward the bathroom. As he opened the door, he froze at the sight of the chaos inside. It looked as though the room had been torn apart. Then, noticing the shower light was on, his expression darkened.
Stepping into the bathroom, he found Chloe lying on the floor. A strange tightness seized his chest. Ian lifted her upper body, her skin cold to the touch. “Even if you’re upset, you shouldn’t take it out on your own health,” he said, his voice low and tense.
Chloe slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze on Ian was empty and hollow. She moved her lips, but no sound came out, only tears rolling down the corners of her eyes. ‘Such a warm embrace,’ she thought. ‘But it no longer belongs to me.’
Ian carried Chloe to the bed, his expression stern. She curled deeper under the quilt, refusing to say a word. Ian turned to leave and clean up, but after a few steps, he paused and returned to sit on the edge of the bed.
Gently, he pulled the quilt down just enough to see her face. “Have you calmed down now?” he asked.
7.Chapter 7 A Secret
Ian’s voice was firm. “If you’ve calmed down, then we can talk properly.” But Chloe was utterly devastated, barely able to move or respond.
She lay with her eyes closed, drained of all strength. Ian hesitated, then stood up to clean the bathroom.
They had argued before, but Chloe had never thrown things in anger. She never even waited for him to calm her down. Once she cooled off, she always came to him first to make things right.
Deep down, he believed, ‘She just loves me too much. I missed our third anniversary, and now she’s so upset that she won’t even accept the gift I brought to make it up to her.’
After showering and changing into pajamas, Ian went downstairs and brought a bowl of broth back to the bedroom. He placed it on the nightstand and gently tried to wake Chloe. “Come on, sit up and have some of this.”
Chloe rolled over, turning her back to him. Ian sat on the edge of the bed, pulled her up firmly against his chest, and said, “Be good and finish the broth. Do that, and I’ll let go of you faking a faint and complaining to my mother.”
Chloe’s voice was hoarse, her expression numb. “Ian,” she asked quietly, “if I died, would you still think I was faking it?”
Before her family went bankrupt, she had indeed been willful and spoiled. But after three years of marriage to Ian, she was no longer the same Irvine princess she once was.
Ian turned her to face him, his gaze steady and uncompromising. “It seems you’re still not calm enough,” he said, his voice low and controlled.
Chloe met his gaze, her eyes tired but unwavering. “I can’t stay calm when I’m with you,” she replied.
Ian released her and stood up. “If that’s how you feel, I’ll stay somewhere else for a few days,” he said flatly. “We can talk when you’re ready to be reasonable.”
With that, he turned and went to the walk-in closet to change. A few minutes later, he emerged, fully dressed and ready to leave.
Ian paused at the foot of the bed, standing in silence for a long moment. Seeing Chloe still lying there, motionless and drained of spirit, he turned and left without a backward glance, leaving her alone to drown in the weight of her despair.
The next morning, Mia came to see Chloe, who still hadn’t gotten out of bed. Feeling sorry for her but not daring to say too much, Mia helped her up, joined her for breakfast, and took her out for a walk.
Ian had always been strict with Mia. If she dared to gossip, Mia knew he wouldn’t hesitate to cut off her allowance.
The fresh air lifted Chloe’s spirits a little. Mia led her into the Hamilton luxury mall. “Chloe,” she asked cautiously, “have you said anything to Ian about that woman yet?”
Chloe felt a wave of exhaustion at the very thought. “Mia, I’m in a terrible state right now,” she said quietly. “I need some time to clear my head and think straight.”
‘If I tell Mia that I want to divorce Ian, her big mouth will make the whole Hamilton family know it in minutes. And if they find out, my parents will hear about it too. Mom’s still in the hospital. I can’t cause any more trouble right now,’ Chloe thought.
Mia quickly changed the subject. “It’s okay, Chloe. Let’s go shopping in our mall. You can pick out anything you want, and Ian will cover it.” Chloe nodded numbly. She had lost all interest in everything, let alone shopping.
When they reached the mall entrance, a security guard stepped forward and stopped them. “I’m sorry, ladies, but the mall has been privately booked for the day,” he explained politely but firmly. “It’s closed to the public.”
Mia was stunned. “Who in Kingsford would dare to book our family’s top luxury mall?” she demanded, her voice a mix of disbelief and irritation.
Chloe gently pulled her back. “Just leave it, Mia. We can walk somewhere else. It’s all the same to me.” She had only come out for some fresh air. Shopping was the last thing on her mind.
But Mia refused to back down. “Go and find out who booked the entire mall,” she insisted, her tone growing more defiant. “I want to know who’s behind this.”
The guard, taking in their elegant appearance, chose his words carefully. “I’m sorry, ladies, but we’re not authorized to share that information.”
Mia fixed the guards with a sharp glare. “This mall belongs to Hamilton Group,” she stated coldly. “I am Mia Hamilton. If you continue to block us, I will have you fired immediately.”
Intimidated, the guards quickly stepped aside. Seizing the opportunity, Mia pulled Chloe inside and guided her toward the elevator. “Come on, Chloe,” she urged, “let’s go up to the third floor. They have the best shoes there.”
As they stepped off the elevator, they froze. There was Ian, kneeling before a woman, helping her try on a pair of shoes.
The woman’s head was bowed, long hair obscuring half her face, but the gentle, attentive way Ian fastened her shoelaces left no room for doubt.
Chloe clutched her chest, her already pale face turning ashen. She knew the only woman Ian would ever kneel for is Andrea. ‘So when he said he’d stay somewhere else, it was just to stay with her.’
In three years of marriage, Chloe had always been the one serving Ian, trying to please him. He had never done anything as considerate as helping her put on shoes. He hadn’t even once handed her a pair of slippers. The sight before her now was so shocking that it left her frozen, utterly stunned.
Mia rushed forward to steady Chloe, who was swaying unsteadily. Mia’s anger was so intense that her teeth were grinding together.
Chloe grabbed Mia’s arm and turned to leave. She couldn’t afford to make a scene, not with her parents still in the hospital, and not when she still felt compelled to protect Ian’s reputation.
But Mia had finally reached her limit. ‘We saw this by accident. I didn’t go spreading rumors. He has no right to cut my allowance now.’
She shoved Chloe’s hand away and swung her handbag hard toward the woman. “You bitch!” she screamed, charging straight at Andrea. Chloe rushed to hold her back.
Ian moved swiftly. Before Mia could get to Andrea, he pulled her into a fitting room and locked the door. He turned to Chloe, his eyes showing no guilt, only cold accusation. “Were you following me?”
Chloe’s lips trembled. Her gaze, filled with hurt, met his. “Ian, you’re supposed to be at work right now,” she said. Yet there he was, having booked the entire mall for his first love, even kneeling to help her put on the shoes.
Ian still offered no explanation. “Take Mia home first,” he said. He stood firmly in front of the fitting room door, deliberately blocking Chloe’s path.
Mia could no longer contain her fury. “Ian, get out of my way,” she said, her voice shaking with rage. “Let that home-wrecker come out and face me. Right now!”
Ian pushed Mia back firmly. “Enough,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. Then he shot her a sharp warning look. “Take Chloe home now.”
Mia was seething with anger. “Ian, after everything Chloe has done for you, how can you treat her like this?” she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.
Ian’s jaw tightened. Seeing that reasoning with Mia was pointless, he turned back to Chloe. “Chloe, leave with Mia now. We’ll discuss this tonight when I get home.”
Chloe’s vision was blurry with unshed tears, but she stared fixedly at Ian. “Since we’ve run into each other like this, let me meet her,” she said, her voice quiet but unwavering.
Ian’s response was cold and immediate. “There’s no need for that,” he said, his tone leaving no room for discussion. He didn’t even glance toward the fitting room, his attention fixed solely on Chloe.
Chloe held her ground, “And what if I insist on meeting her?” she asked, looking directly into his eyes. “What will you do then?”
Ian spoke slowly, each word deliberately sharp. “Will you leave on your own? Or do I need to call security to have you escorted out? The choice is yours.”
Their eyes locked in a tense silence. Tears of despair streamed down Chloe’s face. “Fine,” she whispered bitterly. “I’d love to see what you’ll do to me for your precious woman, Mr. Hamilton.”
Ian’s voice lowered, thick with impatience and warning. “Chloe, don’t make me regret ever marrying you,” he said, each word cold and deliberate. “Walk away now, for your own sake.”
Chloe stared blankly at his face, biting her lower lip until she tasted blood. ‘Regret? He must have regretted it long ago.’ The next second, she turned and fled, humiliated, broken, and utterly pathetic.
Ian watched her desperate retreat, an unfamiliar tightness gripping his chest. Mia burst into angry tears. “Ian, if Chloe ever really leaves you, I’ll throw a city-wide party to celebrate,” she shouted bitterly before running off after Chloe.
Ian stood silently by the fitting room door for over a minute before finally unlocking it. Andrea stepped out, taken aback by his grim expression.
“Ian,” she said guiltily, “why wouldn’t you let me meet your wife? The more you hide this, the more she’ll misunderstand us.”
Ian rubbed his temples wearily. “She has a quick temper, and Mia is even more impulsive,” he explained, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “I was worried they might do something that would hurt you.”
8.Chapter 8 A Secret
Andrea felt deeply comforted by Ian’s defense of her. She looked at him with soft eyes and urged gently, “Ian, I don’t feel like shopping anymore. Please, go after Chloe and make things right with her.”
Ian remained calm and unhurried. “Mia is with her. She’ll be fine. Let me take you back to the hospital first.” He asked the staff to pack the shoes Andrea had tried on, then led her out of the mall.
The driver, Robert Brown, a long-time employee of the Hamilton family, wiped his brow nervously when he saw Ian approach. “Mr. Hamilton,” he said, “Mrs. Hamilton just ran past here in tears.”
“It’s nothing,” Ian replied flatly as he helped Andrea into the car and slid in beside her. Once the door was closed, he said, “Let’s go.”
Andrea offered Ian a bottle of water, but he didn’t take it. She stole a few glances at him, noting his calm expression but distant gaze. He was clearly lost in thought. Andrea cleared her throat and called his name softly again. Only then did Ian snap back to attention.
Looking both guilty and conflicted, Andrea turned to him, her eyes pleading. “Ian,” she began, her voice soft, “please promise me you won’t tell anyone about me or my son.”
Ian frowned, a look of confusion crossing his face. “What’s wrong?” he asked and turned slightly toward Andrea, trying to read her expression.
Andrea’s eyes welled up before she could even speak. “Back then, your grandfather used you to threaten me,” she began, her voice trembling. “He forced me to break up with you and pressured me to go abroad and marry someone else, just so you would let go.”
She took a shaky breath, tears now streaming freely. “All these years, I never forgot you. My husband abused me because of it. He forced me to have the child, and I fell into severe depression. There were times I just wanted to disappear and die, but I couldn’t abandon my son.”
“Maybe heaven finally showed me mercy. About a year ago, he died of a drug overdose. My son and I were free at last. I’ve been so alone overseas, longing for home, my parents and you. That’s why I came back secretly. Ian, I’m terrified your grandfather will come after us again. Please don’t tell your family I’m back. I’m so afraid.”
Seeing Ian nod, Andrea went on, “Ian, I really don’t want to relive those painful memories. I’m also afraid of what people might say about us.” She looked at him pleadingly. “Before I fully recover, please don’t tell anyone about my son’s past, not even your wife. Will you promise me that?”
Andrea’s emotions grew more unstable. She even mentioned thoughts of suicide. Ian pulled her into his arms, his heart aching for her.
“Don’t talk like that, Andrea. Everything you went through is because of me. I won’t tell anyone what you’ve endured. I will take care of you and your son. That’s my responsibility now.”
Hearing his promise, Andrea gradually stopped crying and managed a fragile smile. “Ian, please don’t worry,” she said softly. “I’ll get better soon. I won’t let you worry about me forever.”
Ian took Andrea back to the hospital, stayed until she finished her lunch, and then returned to the company.
Noticing over a dozen missed calls from Mia and other family members, he paused briefly before finally calling Mia back.
When the call connected, Ian asked calmly, “Has Chloe finished throwing her tantrum? Or is she still causing a scene?” He didn’t even bother with a greeting.
From the other end came Mia’s tearful shout. “Chloe is missing. Mom and I have been looking everywhere for her, but we can’t find her anywhere.”
The call ended. Ian froze for a second, then stood up and walked to the window. ‘They’re probably working together to fool me again,’ he thought.
Ian’s assistant, Mitchell Garrison, stepped into the office. “Mr. Hamilton, should we proceed with the 2:30 meeting as planned?” Ian lit a cigarette and responded with a calm, affirmative hum.
Mitchell had been by Ian’s side for years. Despite his youthful appearance, he carried himself with a serious and professional manner. He was smooth in communication, steady under pressure, and highly skilled in combat. He was, without question, Ian’s most trusted man.
After finishing work, Ian left the office on time. Normally, his driver Robert would simply go wherever Ian instructed without question, but this time he ventured to ask, “Mr. Hamilton, shall we head home or go to see Ms. Sherman?”
Ian hesitated for a brief moment before answering, “Home.” A look of relief immediately washed over Robert’s previously tense expression, and he nodded in acknowledgment before smoothly pulling into traffic.
Ian leaned back in the seat and closed his eyes. ‘I was going to stay away a few days to let her cool off. But after what she saw today, she’s probably tearing the house apart by now. Half a day has passed, and she should’ve taken it all out. If she’s finally calm, we need to talk.’
When Ian arrived home, Chloe was nowhere to be seen. Following his usual routine, he took a shower, changed into his pajamas, and headed to the study to work.
By 9 pm, Miranda and Mia arrived. Miranda had spent the entire day searching for Chloe, her anxiety so intense that she could barely rest. When she saw her son acting as though nothing was wrong, working calmly at home as usual, she nearly collapsed from fury.
Ian tried to reassure her. “Mom, don’t worry. She’ll be fine.” He knew exactly how dramatic Chloe could be. Once, he had been a day late giving her a birthday gift. In a fit of anger, she had hidden away on her own. When he finally found her, she was soaking in a hot spring, sipping red wine, and enjoying a massage.
‘She loves herself too much to ever actually get hurt. She’d rather make everyone else miserable,’ Ian thought.
Miranda threw a cup of tea directly in Ian’s face. Her voice shook with fury. “Ian, I carried you, gave birth to you, and raised you for thirty years. I have always been proud to be your mother. But now I see. You’re just as cold and heartless as your father.”
Ian remained completely undisturbed, calmly wiping the tea from his face. “Mom, you’re overreacting,” he said.
Miranda’s eyes welled with tears. “Chloe is your wife. She has loved you since she was a child. After a fight, this is how you treat her? Are you deliberately trying to ruin this marriage?”
Ian’s tone was firm and resolute. “Mom, we are not getting divorced,” he stated clearly. “I know exactly what I’m doing, and I have everything under control.”
Mia gave Ian a thumbs-down gesture. “Ian, you’re just taking advantage of the fact that Chloe loves you too much to ever leave. But don’t forget. To those who love deeply, they can’t bear a single flaw in the one they love.”
“Enough,” Ian cut in, his voice sharp and final. Mia fell silent immediately, though her expression remained openly defiant.
After Miranda and Mia left, Ian lit another cigarette. At 3 am, he called Mitchell. “Take the next couple of days off from the office. I need you to keep an eye on the hospital. Let me know immediately if you see Chloe return.”
Before hanging up, he added, “Chloe’s mother just had heart surgery and needs quiet. Be discreet and don’t disturb her.”
On the other end, Mitchell’s eyes widened as he checked the time. ‘It’s 3 am. Mr. Hamilton asked me to stake out at the hospital at his hour. Has his insomnia come back again?’
Three days later, there was still no sign of Chloe. Miranda and Mia wanted to call the police and notify the Irvine family, but Ian refused. He was convinced she was fine and would return on her own in a few days.
Ian’s father Shane and grandfather Edward agreed with him. After all, the disappearance of the famous Ian Hamilton’s wife was an embarrassment. Besides, with the Irvine family long bankrupt, Chloe held no further value to them. She simply wasn’t worth the trouble.
Time passed quickly, and the day finally came for Jill to be discharged from the hospital. Ian sent Mitchell to pick up Jill while he went to handle Andrea’s discharge paperwork.
At 9 am, Mitchell spotted Chloe, looking safe and unharmed, arriving at the hospital to pick up her mother. He immediately called his boss to report the news.
Ian, who was packing Andrea’s things, showed no visible reaction upon hearing the news. He told Mitchell to take the rest of the day off. As for Chloe, he was confident she would return home on her own, without him needing to say a word.
Ian carried the luggage and stepped into the elevator with Andrea. Meanwhile, Chloe was waiting for the elevator with her parents.
When the doors opened, she saw Ian immediately, holding Andrea protectively in his arms and shielding Andrea from the crowd, just as he had once done for her.