Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Ian glanced at Andrea's thermometer . Her temperature was not too high , but a fever nonetheless . 55 vouchers He set it down and his gaze flicked over Andrea's nightwear . A flicker of unease passed through him before he grabbed a thin blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders . " Take your medicine after the snack , " he said , preparing to leave . Andrea shifted under the blanket , her hands fidgeting nervously . " Ian , maybe you should stay here tonight ? " she offered . " Clint is now with my mom , and it's pouring outside . Driving back isn't safe . " Ian's gaze darkened . Just slightly , but enough for Andrea to panic . " It's late , and you have work tomorrow , " she hurried to add . " I just don't want to mess up your sleep ." Ian stopped in his tracks and turned to face her . " Don't ever ask me to stay over again . " Andrea eyes widened , innocent . " Why ? " she begged . " At the hospital , you stayed with me all night , and it was fine ..." " Andrea , " Ian said , a flash of fatigue crossed his face . " I stayed at the hospital because it's public . But here's your home . A married man staying overnight at some other woman's place - it doesn't look good for you . " Andrea's smile was fragile , naive . " It's fine . You're not someone else ' to me . " " No. " Ian's voice softened , but carried an unyielding authority . " To you , I am . " Andrea's expression froze , confusion and a flicker of hurt mixing together . " Years apart ... we've really grown distant , haven't we ? " she murmured , a hint of self - deprecation in her tone .. Ian let out a sigh . " Andrea ... I know it hasn't been easy , " he suggested . " Tomorrow , I'll arrange a live - in helper for you , a car , and a driver . " He paused at the door , glancing back one last time . " And also , try to stay away from Chloe as much as possible . Don't ever show front of her . " up in Andrea's mouth opened , then closed . " What ? " But lan left no room for argument . " This is non - negotiable , " he added . He knew Chloe loved him . Every tiny misstep would catch her attention . If the two of them met , Andrea would be at a disadvantage . Andrea swallowed hard , nodding repeatedly . " Of course . I'll do as you say . Don't worry ." But inside , she felt her heart twisted . ' What exactly does he mean ? ' she thought to herself . She could feel the lingering affection in his eyes . Did he despise that she'd been divorced , and that's why he wouldn't marry her ? Andrea's mind whirled with anxious guesses . Satisfied , lan left Andrea's apartment without a backward glance , and headed straight towards a downtown bar lounge . An hour later , inside the lounge , lan poured another glass of whiskey while Patrick Lewis walked in . Patrick was a friend of lan . He had sharp eyes and a sly smile , exuding the easy arrogance of a wealthy playboy . Flopping onto the sofa across from Ian , he casually propped his legs on the coffee table , and began to study Ian . " What's with that face ? " he grinned . " Still playing with fire at home ? " Ian swirled the whiskey , his tone tired . " I can't communicate with Chloe right now ." As his good friend , Patrick knew about the chaos in lan's marriage . He smirked knowingly . " Hey , Andrea came back for you . If you don't make things clear , Chloe will leave you sooner or later . " " That's not happening ," said Jan , waving him off . Chapter 15 0 55 vouchers He knew better than anyone . Chloe loved him , and financially , she could never repay the money he'd spent rescuing her family . She was bounded by their marriage . Ian sneered inside . Chloe had been a full - time wife since graduation , fully detached from any profession . And born with a silver spoon , married into luxury , she couldn't support herself even if she had a job . He wasn't worried she'd leave , But her stubborn streak meant she'd always find a reason to push him . That was the only thing Ian had to worry about . " Well , " Patrick leaned in , blunt . " I heard she's already demanding a divorce ." " Who told you that ? " Ian raised an eyebrow . " Was it from Mia ? " " Care to guess ? " Patrick shrugged . " Be careful , Ian . If Chloe actually divorces you , you'll never find a woman who loves you more . " Ian's voice was calm , unwavering . " Relax . Even after you're six feet under , you won't see the day Chloe leaves me ," Patrick rolled his eyes , then switched tactics , " And Andrea , she knows you're married but still keeps you from explaining . That's basically baiting you into a divorce . " Ian's expression darkened . " Patrick , don't speak like that about Andrea . " " Oh ? " Patrick leaned back , casual but pointed . " Not talking trash . Just stating facts . She's testing your marriage , draining your time , money , energy ... even your marriage itself . If that's not scheming , what is ? " Ian didn't reply . He lit a cigarette . Smoke curled into the dim light , blurring his sharp features . After a long pause , he spoke up . " Andrea was just too kind , " said Ian . " Back then , she went abroad under pressure to marry someone else so I could inherit Hamilton Group . She had suffered for me and had endured much . That's what I owe her . " " She's from a humble beginning , being mistreated and suffering from severe depression , " he continued . " I have to take care of her . " " Ian , Patrick raised an eyebrow . " Just admit it . You still have feelings for her ." " That's only about responsibility - she nearly ruined her life for me . " Ian frowned . " She fears Chloe would use it against her , or that gossip would make it look like she's manipulating me to take over my marriage . She did nothing wrong . " Patrick shot back , " So she won't let you clarify . She leans on you for everything , drains your money , time , energy , even your marriage ... and that's not scheming ? " Ian's gaze was steady . " No. I willingly make it up to her . " " Well , you feel guilty , responsible , still ... emotionally attached , " said Patrick . " But Chloe ? What did she do wrong ? " lan exhaled , tired . " No one said she did anything wrong . " " You didn't blame her , but you haven't explained , nor you let her divorce you ," Patrick snapped . " With Chloe's temper ... it's a miracle she hasn't blown up ! " A heavy weight pressed on lan's chest , but he convinced himself it wasn't that serious . " I promised her she could go find a job , " he replied . " That should lift her mood ." Patrick's eyes bored into him . " So you really won't explain ? You're just relying on her blind love , and letting her suffer all this ? " Jan shook his head , then clinked his glass against Patrick's . " It's not as bad as you think . Here , help yourself . " Just then , Patrick's phone buzzed . Mia's frantic voice came through . " Patrick ! " she yelled . " Is Ian with you ? " " Ouch , my ears ! " Patrick pulled the phone away slightly , " Mind your manners , Mia ." " Screw you ! " Mia barked back , panicked . " Chloe's in trouble . Get lan back home now ! "