Chapter 2 55 vouchers 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 lan 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 lan 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 lan 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 ? " 1/2 Chapter 2 55 vouchers 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 . " lan 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 , lan , " 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 lan , 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 , lan 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 lan 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 . lan 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 . 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