Chapter 18 Chloe could tell from Ian's expression that he had something on his mind . But instead of speaking , he entered the bedroom , shot her a fleeting glance , and strode straight to the bathroom . 55 vouchets The sound of running water filled the room , sharp and insistent , drowning out her thoughts . Chloe's hands tightened around her book , but the words blurred . With a frustrated sigh , she closed her laptop , stacked the papers neatly on the bedside table , and leaned back against the pillows , waiting in silence . Showering immediately after returning home was Ian's habit - one he had maintained for as long as she could remember . Somewhere along the way , Chloe had unconsciously started following the same rhythm . She liked the scent of Ian's hug , and the warmth of being held in his arms as she slept . She remembered the happiest moments , the nights when she would beg him to hold her , whispering that she couldn't bear to sleep alone . But since the day she discovered his affair , those nights had been spent in agony , tossing and turning , sleepless and alone . Even if she loved Ian to the core of her being , she could endure the pain while preparing herself to leave him . Ian stepped out of the bathroom in dark pajamas , water droplets glistening on his skin . Chloe , lost in thought , barely noticed him . His gaze swept over the stack of medical materials on the bedside table . Slowly , he flipped through a few pages before sitting on the edge of the bed . " Picking up the medical books again ? " his voice was calm but edged with something Chloe couldn't quite place . Chloe didn't answer , but Ian continued . He reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face , tucking it behind her ear . " Want me to find someone to transfer you to a less demanding position ? " he asked . Chloe shook her head . " My parents had already moved out from your apartment , " she said . " They had it cleaned , and the door code wasn't changed . They told me to let you know that you can take it back ." lan's expression remained unreadable . " Where did they move to ? " " By Riverside Drive , close to my dad's factory , " Chloe replied candidly . " That's a relocation apartment , right ? " Ian frowned . " I'm the heir to the Hamilton Group . It's not suitable for them to live in a place like that . " Chloe met his stare evenly . " We don't want to owe you anything ." Ian's voice was measured , eyes sharp . " The Irvine family has owed me enough already , don't you think ? " They locked eyes . The tension was heavy and suffocating . Chloe lowered hers , feeling the familiar sting of embarrassment . After a long silence , Ian sighed , finally breaking it . " Chloe , as long as you hold the title of Mrs. Hamilton , you have access to all my resources , all my assets , " he said . Chloe couldn't stay composed . The words tumbled out before she could stop them , " I don't want your money anymore . I want a divorce ! " lan's eyes didn't flicker . " Divorce ? Anytime , " he said . " Once you can pay back the money ." Chloe collapsed against the pillows , heart shattering . Twenty years of devotion , and three years of marriage - yet lan left no room for mercy . To her , there were only cold , measured terms . She wanted to cry but couldn't . Chapter 18 Chloe looked up , locking eyes with him . Her silence had already answered the question . Ian voice dropped a few degrees . " What exactly did you say to her ? " Chloe caught the faint trace of concern in his eyes - but it wasn't for her . It was for Andrea . 55 vouchers Infuriated , she shot up , shoving him hard . " On what grounds are you questioning me ? " she raised her voice . " My husband ... or her lover ? " Ian's brow furrowed . " I warned you not to see her . " Chloe's chest felt tight . " I wasn't that reckless ! " " You don't understand , " Ian cut her off . " Because of you , she almost had an accident ! " Chloe laughed bitterly . She had simply greeted her at the hospital . Nothing more . Exhausted , she sank onto the bed , voice raw . " So you dropped everything and flew back overnight , just to see Andrea ? " Ian's irritation was visible as he stood , looming over her . " I know your temper , " he replied . " Andrea is fragile , and she has a child . I can't risk another incident ." Chloe lost control . She grabbed a pillow , flinging it at him . " You bastard ! " she screamed . Ian bent and picked up the pillow , but Chloe wasn't done . She snatched a book from the bedside table and hurled it at him . " You cheated on me , betrayed me . How can you care about her like this ? " she cried out . " How can you be so cold - blooded ? " lan sidestepped with ease , his composure unshaken . When she lunged for her laptop , he stepped forward and caught her hands , taking away the laptop . " Enough venting ? " Chloe's emotions spilled over . She screamed , throwing and smashing everything in reach . " If you have the guts , protect them twenty - four - seven . Or every time I see her , I'll slap her in the face ! " she barked . " The Irvine family's already ruined ! Fine - let's go all in . I want everyone to know you betrayed me , and I'll teach that little mistress a hard lesson ! " Chloe flailed , but Ian held her firmly , preventing her from falling . She bit into his shoulder with all her strength , trembling violently . He winced , but didn't move . Only when her jaw slackened did she release him . " Alright ... relax . I'll get you some water , " Ian said softly . He let Chloe lie down on the bed . After a few minutes , he returned with some water , helping her rinse her mouth . Chloe's outburst left her hollow , numb . She rinsed , lay back , eyes closed , but the tears continued to flow . Since Ian's affair , every fight followed this same pattern . He pushed her to the brink , then either cared for her as if nothing happened or simply left . He had no explanation nor tenderness . There was only his duty as a husband . After tidying up , lan got into bed and switched off the lights , then he reached out for Chloe pushed him away without a second thought . He paused , then turned onto his side , back facing her , This small gesture ignited a storm inside Chloe , but she swallowed it , pressing her lips tight , holding in the grief . After every fight , there were no words left between them . Even lying in the same bed , Chloe knew one thing for certain , that Ian's heart was a world away . His silence , his refusal to explain , was a wall - growing higher with each passing moment , driving them further apart .