Chapter 20 Ian switched off his phone and slipped it back into his pocket . 55 vouchers The flicker of something unreadable in his eyes vanished with the dark screen . He didn't say another word . Ian's driver Robert stayed silent up front . Chloe clenched her hands , forcing back the storm of emotions clawing at her throat . All the way home , the car was quiet . When they reached their house , Ian stepped out first and opened the door for Chloe . Another car pulled up next to them , and Mia climbed out with a small parcel for Chloe . Seeing lan arrive with Chloe , she lit up , sure they'd made up . " I've got something to take care of ," Ian said evenly . " You two stay here ." He started to walk off , but Chloe's face drained of color . She grabbed the hem of his jacket , voice shaking . " You're going to see Andrea , aren't you ?" she barked . Ian's brow furrowed . He pried her fingers loose . " Chloe , don't act so emotional . " He didn't deny it . That was answer enough . Chloe's restraint shattered . She lunged for his phone . But before she could even touch his jacket , he caught her wrist . Sliding an arm around her shoulders , he steered her inside . " Stop acting out . You have work tomorrow . " Chloe twisted free , hair wild , eyes blazing . " Ian , if you leave , I'll kill myself ! " Without a word , Ian scooped her up in his arms and carried her through the door . He couldn't let her have a public meltdown - not with the press everywhere . Mia , wide - eyed , hurried in behind them . She saw Ian set Chloe on the couch , but she leapt up and threw a pillow at him . " Mia , stay with Chloe ," said Ian as he bent to pick up the pillow . No matter what happened , he was leaving tonight . Chloe's mind went blank . She slumped on the couch , clutching her head , letting out a strangled scream . Mia hugged her tightly , trembling . " Ian ! " she protested . " Chloe loves you so much , but you're hurting her . Don't you care at all ? " " Quiet , " Ian snapped , his gaze alone was a warning . " Watch her . If anything happens , I'll hold you responsible . " Mia wanted to fight , but she'd been under his authority her whole life . She dared not to . Ian glanced at Chloe , weary , and turned to leave . But Chloe shoved Mia aside . She grabbed a knife from the table , and blocked his path . The blade shook at Chloe's throat . Ian froze . " Give me your phone ! " Chloe screamed , lips trembling . " Or I swear I'll do it ! " She was like a gambler with everything to lose - desperate to see if she still mattered , and desperate to burn the last threads of hope . Ian's phone buzzed in his pocket , a low , maddening hum . Mia stood frozen , helpless . She'd never seen Chloe like this before . She knew they had conflicts , but this was just way Jan stared at the knife in Chloe's hand . He stepped forward - but the blade trembled , and " Your life is yours ," he said flatly , almost coldly . " If you want to end it , no one can stop Chloe's eyes clung to him , desperate . She opened her mouth , but no sound came . too crazy . he stopped . " Ian , what are you talking about ? " Mia's eyes widened . " C. you just stay ? Chloe's so upset ! " One sharp look from lan silenced her . Then , lan took another cautious step . " Chloe , " he said slowly , " think about your parents . They raised you with everything they had . Frank still works at the factory . Jill just got 1/2 Chapter 20 55 vouchers out of the hospital , and Carl is preparing for SAT next year . If you end here , you hurt only them - not me , not anyone else . " Chloe's eyes closed , defeated . Ian seized the moment . He snatched the knife from her hand and pulled her tightly into his arms . The knife clattered to the floor , and Chloe could feel her heart shatter with it . She sagged against Ian , trembling , unable to cry or speak . He held her close - one hand at her waist , the other at the back of her head- and kissed her forehead gently . " Stop overthinking , okay ? " he comforted . " Take some rest . It'll pass ." Ignoring the constant tone of incoming texts , Ian carried Chloe upstairs . A cool towel wiped her face and hands , tangled hair smoothed , and then he led Mia out . " I'm out tonight . So you stay with her ," he said . " Keep your voice down . No careless words . " Mia nodded , closing the door softly . Chloe lay in the bed , utterly helpless . She couldn't do anything but cry . Mia didn't know how to comfort her , so she just cried along . " Don't cry , Chloe . Ian's just ... lost for now , " she sobbed . " He'll come back . " " I just wanted to scare him , " Chloe whispered , turning away . " I'm fine . Go home . " She was so busy making a scene with Ian that she almost forgot . Only someone who is loved has the right to be selfish . Clearly , she wasn't the one . Mia had temper . She couldn't just let it go . Seeing Chloe fall asleep , she slipped away , careful not to wake her . Once outside , she hopped on her car , and called Patrick . When she heard he had just left home for a charity auction to see Ian , Mia immediately drove to the Royal Court Hotel to meet Patrick . She didn't dare lay a hand on Ian , but she had no problem picking up a fight with Andrea . ***** Later that night , a silver Phantom eased to a curb in front of Royal Court Hotel . Patrick stepped out , casual - until Mia blocked him . " Hey , take me to Andrea now , " she demanded . " I need to see her . " Patrick blinked , amused . " How would I know where she lives ? " Mia narrowed her eyes . Patrick was a sly fox , but she had her own ways to deal with him . She stepped into the street , glancing back at him . " If a car hits me , I'll tell my parents you pushed me , " she said . " Wait ! " Patrick panicked . He rushed to grab her wrist . " Fine , I'll take you to her ." 2/2