Chapter 11 Ian picked up the divorce papers , flipped through them briefly , and put them back with a soft thud . " So , Chloe , " he lifted his gaze , cold and steady . " You've finally got the guts to bring up divorce . Look at you . " Chloe stood , her body stiff but her resolve firm . She had loved lan for years . Even now , she still wanted to leave with a shred of dignity . Her eyes fell on the document again . 55 vouchets " You've helped the Irvine family plenty . I'll walk away clean , " said Chloe , forcing her voice steady . " Everything you do ties back to the Hamilton Group , so you can't afford a scandal . If needed , I'll face the press myself , and clear the name of Andrea and Clint ." " Go on , " said Ian . He leaned forward , elbows on his knees , pressing his fingers against his brow like the weight of it all bored him . " I've already signed, " Chloe answered , voice empty , and her face drained of life . " Whenever you've got the time , we'll go get the certificate . " She slid the ring off her finger - at least she tried to . Ian's hand shot out , clamping around hers . He rose to his full height , pinning her with an intense gaze . " Chloe , wait ," he explained . " It's not what you think between me and Andrea . " Chloe ripped her hand away , fury boiling in her chest . Her eyes went bloodshot , voice trembling . Then what is it ? You rush out in the middle of the night , pouring rain , just to pick her up , and then you vanish for weeks ! " Chloe demanded , breath came faster . " Don't tell me there wasn't hugging , kissing , a bed involved . And don't insult me by saying that kid isn't yours . " Ian didn't answer directly . His jaw tightened . " Chloe , you keep saying you love me . And yet you can't trust me this much ? " " What did you say ? " Chloe almost laughed . " Trust ? " She staggered back a step , then shoved him hard in the chest . " I cooked dinner and bought you a gift on our third anniversary , but where were you ? " her voice cracked as it rose . " You were renting out the entire Riverfront Promenade to set off fireworks with precious Andrea and her son ! And you dare throw trust in my face ? " Ian frowned , his face darkened . " You hear it from Mia , don't you ? " Chloe's tears spilled . She had expected Ian to admit it , but not in this humiliating way . " From the day 1 married you , I learned how to cook , how to wash your shirts , how to tie your ties , how to keep your house running , " Chloe's voice shook , raw and jagged . " I bent over backward to fit into your world . I was terrified I'd never measure up ... but what have you done ? " Her sobs broke loose . " I asked you to make me a pancake once , and you tossed me cash . But for Andrea and Clint ? You rolled up your sleeves and baked a blueberry cake ! " Jan stood silent . His calm was like a blade against her skin . He remembered that night - Chloe asked him to make a pancake for her . It wasn't until now did he realize that Chloe had been testing him , and he'd failed . The quieter he stayed , the more it shredded Chloe . " You used to come home every night . But for them ? You forgot our anniversary , and you slipped out at three am ! " Chloe almost yelled . " Of course you gave me a bracelet as an anniversary gift , but you gave Andrea the exact same one ! " Jan's brows pulled tight . He didn't expect Chloe to lose the bracelet on purpose . And , of course , he didn't realize she'd seen him and Andrea in the ward . " You ditched your so - called principles ! " in the Chloe's voice broke into a scream . " You skipped work to shop with her . And when I 1/2 P Chapter II : caught you , you protected her and kicked me out ! " Her chest heaved . She could barely breathe . Clawing at her hair , she sobbed like she was coming apart . 55 vouchers " I vanished for days , sobbing myself to sleep in a dump of a motel , " she cried . " I thought my world had ended . And you ? You didn't even blink - not a single phone call ! " " Chloe ! " Ian reached for her , but she shoved him back . " Ian , what am I to you ? " Chloe's voice ripped raw . She choked out another scream . " If you loved Andrea so much , why did you marry me ? " Ian didn't reply . He caught her wrists , dragged her into his chest . " Listen , Chloe , " he tried to coax . " I wasn't careful enough . I promise it won't happen again . " Not careful enough ? Chloe's whole body went cold hearing Ian's words . Cheating on her , caught red - handed - and his takeaway was he " wasn't careful enough " ... Chloe knew she couldn't stand it anymore . She shoved him off with everything she had and bolted for the door . Ian grabbed her arm and yanked her back , feeling her body shake . He hauled her into his arms . But all she could see was the memory of him shielding Andrea , protecting her like she was fragile glass . It made her stomach turn . " Don't touch me , lan ! " she thrashed wildly , tears streaming . " You're disgusting ! " Ian's face hardened . He crushed her tighter , refusing to let go . " Chloe , I'm not the bastard you think I am , " he replied . Chloe trembled in his arms . All she could smell was Andrea's perfume on him - and bile rose in her throat . " Please , Ian . I can't do this , " her voice broke as she begged . " Don't touch me . You really make me sick ! " Her words cut Ian deeper than he expected . Still , he tightened his hold , murmuring low , " Don't . It's not what you think ... " But before he could finish , Chloe's body convulsed , then , she threw up . Ian scooped her up and rushed her into the bathroom . She clung to the toilet , retching , while he watched , face clouded with something unreadable . They'd used protection every time . So Ian knew she couldn't be pregnant . And yet she'd always wanted a baby with him . Watching Chloe throwing up , Ian couldn't help but doubt that she'd tried something behind his back . He ordered a pregnancy test from the pharmacy as Chloe spending her time in the bathroom . It arrived quickly . Holding the test kit , he entered the bathroom and handed it to Chloe , " Here , take it Chloe took it , her lips pressed tight . She knew he never wanted her pregnant . Ian was always so careful , like she was some ticking time bomb . She tested herself . Minutes later she emerged , shoved the stick at lan . " Relax , " she said . " Even if I ended up pregnant , I'd get rid of it . I wouldn't dare compete with your precious Andrea's son for scraps . " Ian glanced at it - the kit showed a negative sign . He didn't expect her nausea really was disgust , He then glanced at Chloe , brows furrowed . " You really don't want a baby with me ? " A bitter laugh burned Chloe's throat . To h her , the truth obvious - lan was the one who never wanted kids . " Let me know when you're free ," she said flatly , heading for the door . 2/3 P. Chapter 11 55 vouchers " Wait , it's pouring outside , " Ian tossed the test in the trash and blocked her way . " Where are you going in the middle of the night ? " " As long as it means leaving you , I'll go anywhere , " Chloe's face was dead , her words sharp as glass . " You sure about that ? " Ian's eyes narrowed . " Yes , " replied Chloe . " So what ? " These weeks had been hell . Betrayal gnawed her to the bone , drove her to the edge . If she stayed , she knew she'd die in this marriage . But to her surprise , Ian let out a humorless laugh , low and sharp . She froze . " What's that supposed to mean ? " she asked . " You think you can divorce me , Chloe ? " Ian arched his brow . " Do you even have what it takes ? " 3/2