Chapter 13 E55 vouchers Chloe felt her heart shatter into pieces . At this moment , she realized something painfully clear . In front of lan , she didn't even have the right to say " no . " He forced her compliance with money , and forbade her from seeing Andrea and Clint . Of course , he also forbade her from confronting him . And if a scandal ever leaked , she , as Mrs. Hamilton , would have to clean up the mess and preserve his dignity . Chloe lay quietly on the bed , staring blankly at the ceiling . She'd heard whispers about Ian and Andrea before . Apparently , it was a mismatch of social status . The Hamiltons had deemed Andrea too ordinary to marry Ian and forcibly separated them . Unable to marry her , Ian kept Andrea and Clint supported quietly outside the family . Chloe knew that Ian wasn't divorcing her . He just wanted to make her comply and cover for him . " Tan . I don't have the money to pay you , " replied Chloe , her voice was barely more than a whisper . " I can't meet your demands . Is there any other way out for me ? " " No ," said Ian . He lay down beside her and tucked the blanket over her . His touch was gentle , yet his refusal was absolute , leaving no room for argument . After switching off the bedside lamp , Ian pulled Chloe into his arms under the covers . " Sleep well . I'll take you to visit your family this weekend . " Bur Chloe couldn't sleep . All these years , she'd been fooled by him . Ian looked like a devoted , respectful husband to her parents - but behind every act of kindness , she knew it was calculation , a trade of interest . She had endured so many days of torment , thinking a divorce would free her . Instead , he had cornered her completely . To Ian , Andrea and Clint were irreplaceably important , but she barely even counted . Chloe opened her eyes , letting the faint light through the curtains trace the lines of Ian's face . Memories of their childhood flickered in her mind . When she was one year old , during her first birthday ceremony , her family held a party for her , bringing all kinds of gifts . Everyone watched , but she didn't reach for anything , except Ian's ring finger , which she clutched tightly . Miranda suggested lan giving Chloe a kiss in return . He did - right on her lips . Jill laughed and teased , saying , " Looks like Chloe's lost her first kiss ! " That was when Miranda proposed a childhood engagement between the Hamilton and the Irvine families . After a brief discussion , the elders arranged it , sealing their betrothal as a family alliance . Chloe's fondness for lan had been obvious since childhood , but she had to admit that Ian's indifference towards her was equally clear . Yet somehow , they ended up married and sustained a three - year loveless marriage . A miracle of its own kind , Recalling their past , Chloe lay wide awake till morning . Ian woke to the sight of Chloe beside him , pale and still . Only her faint breathing proved she was still there . He looked away , got up , and went to the bathroom . Chloe hadn't brought up divorce e again , nor had she caused a scene. To lan , she seemed resigned . Chapter 13 . Dressed and ready , Ian stepped out of the walk - in closet - and noticed the wedding photos were gone . " Where are the wedding photos ? " he asked , frowning . Chloe said flatly , " I threw them away . " She had discarded more than one yesterday , not just a single photo . And yet Ian only noticed one missing now . Chloe laughed bitterly inside . Those things she had once treasured ? To Ian , they had never mattered . " Doesn't matter , " Ian said lightly . " I'll have the studio send new copies ." Ian knew that if Chloe had thrown them away , it wasn't just one . She probably got rid of most of them , just to vent . He shrugged , thinking it was better than keeping the anger bottled up . Just as he was about to leave the bedroom , Chloe suddenly spoke up , " I'll find a job soon , Ian . " She knew Ian was right . She touldn't have it both ways . She had married him , and he had not only saved the Irvine family , but also handled their debts . He gave her a marriage , dignity , material comfort . And in return , she had to tolerate his affair . Their marriage , in his eyes , was a trade . If that was the case , she had the right to negotiate terms . Ian glanced at her and replied , " Fine ." ' It's good to keep busy , he thought . ' Better than sitting around and stewing herself in her own thoughts . But then Chloe continued , " I'm moving out ." Ian's foot stopped mid - step . He turned to face her and shut her down cold , " No way . " B 55 vouchers " You've got to give me time to process this , to breathe , " Chloe's voice hardened . " I've loved you for so many years , and I've been your wife for three . You cheated , you betrayed me , yet you still refuse to divorce me . I'm human , lan , I hurt too . " Even if walking away felt impossible , Chloe understood that she'd find a way to break free . Her gaze followed Ian as he moved in , his hands clamping firmly on her shoulders , forcing her to sit on the bed . He leaned on the nightstand , staring into her dull , lifeless eyes . " Chloe , " he said , " Hamilton Group is a publicly listed company . My marital status is absolutely public . Every action we take affects the future of the Hamilton family business ." " That is , as long as we're married , " he continued , " you stay here . " " You say it's for Hamilton Group , yet you keep a woman on the side , " Chloe shot back . " Aren't you worried about scandal affecting the company ? " Ian's voice was calm , unwavering . " If anything goes wrong at Hamilton Group , I take full responsibility . But can you ? " Chloe fell silent . Even without a divorce , she already owed him 300 million . If her actions rattled the Hamilton stock , she could never cover it . Knowing she couldn't do anything , Ian reached out , tucking her hair behind her ear , his tone softening . " They made some breakfast for you at the manor . Mia will bring it over soon , " he said . " Have your breakfast , and rest well at home ." He left for the office . Chloe stayed lying there , utterly drained . Her panic , her outbursts - they did nothing to move Ian . No compromise , no concession . Exactly as she had feared , he remained unmoved . Chloe felt like she was dying inside . Ian thought she was overreacting . She had loved him all these years , never imagined he could be so cruel , so heartless . Chapter 13 Silently , he stripped her even of the right to lose control . 55 vouchers By nine , Miranda and Mia arrived with breakfast and some gentle words , but Chloe said nothing about Ian settling debts with her . Miranda had cared for her deeply . But lan was her biological son . Chloe knew that at heart , Miranda didn't want to see Ian's marriage end . As for Mia , she could confide in her , but she was a chatterbox . If she spilled the beans about Ian demanding 300 million before a divorce , the whole world would know . Chloe couldn't allow that . At noon , Chloe returned to the Irvine family . Jill and Frank weren't relieved she hadn't divorced . They were worried . " Chloe , tell me , is Ian giving you a hard time ? " Jill pulled her into the bedroom , whispering . Chloe couldn't reveal the depth of her hurt . She forced a shrug . " He explained . It was a misunderstanding . He didn't have an affair . " Jill exhaled , relieved . " As long as there's no affair , that's fine . " She then tugged Chloe out of the bedroom . " Your dad and I worked it out yesterday . Your uncle William's family is moving to Newcrest , and their old house will just be sitting empty . So we figured we might as well move in there ourselves . " She then pulled out a bank card from her pocket and handed to Chloe . " Here , it's for you . All the money in this card comes from Ian every month ," said Jill . " Everything's in there except what we used for hospital bills . Your dad found a consultancy gig at a factory , and the pay's enough for us to get by , " she explained . " Take this card and settle things with Ian ." AD