Chapter 22 Meanwhile , in the Inpatient Ward at Kingsford General Hospital , Mia was getting a serious dressing - down from Ian . Patrick was also there , but he didn't want to get involved . He leaned against the wall , watching the scene unfold . " Did Chloe send you there to stir up trouble with Andrea ? " Ian jabbed a finger toward the ward door , his face stormy . " Chloe ? " Mia looked unbothered . " She's got better things to do . " 55 vouchers lan's gaze sharpened . Mia had grown up with Chloe , and the two had always been inseparable . Mia was a firecracker , and Chloe was the schemer . Point and shoot - that was Mia's motto when Chloe gave the orders . Ian believed that without Chloe egging her on , Mia never would have had the guts to confront Andrea . " Go apologize to Andrea , " he commanded . Mia shrugged , stubborn and timid all at once . " You apologize to Chloe , and maybe I'll think about apologizing to her ." Ian glared at Mia , who reminded him of Chloe . No wonder the two could be partners in crime , he thought . One pigheaded , the other unyielding . " Mia , " Ian raised his voice . " If you don't apologize , you can pack your bags and go abroad now . " Mia flinched behind Patrick . " Try sending me away , and I'll spill the beans about your little affair ." " How dare you ! " Ian's chest heaved with anger . " If Chloe and I ever actually split , you'll have played your part . " A faint voice came from the hospital room . Ian didn't hesitate - he stormed inside . Andrea stiffened at the sight of him . Pain shot through her , but she swung her legs off the bed and walked barefoot toward him . " Ian , I need to talk to you , " she said , swallowing back the sting . lan cast a glance at Linda , who , sensing the tension , quietly left . He helped Andrea back onto the bed and pulled up a chair beside her . " You're hurt . Why are you even up ? " Andrea's pale face was tight with self - restraint , hiding the tears she refused to shed . " Ian , Mia was standing up for Chloe , " she sobbed . " Chloe must hate me to death right now ! lan frowned , then comforted , " Don't worry . I'll make sure they apologize ." Andrea studied him , measuring his expression before speaking again . ない " I didn't expect Mia and Chloe to hold such a grudge , " she whispered . "Mia thinks I'm a homecker - hits me , screams at me , accuses me of spending your money . If Chloe had confronted me last night , she could've killed me . " Jan's voice softened , thick with concern . " Andrea , relax . With me here , no one can stir more troubles . " Seizing the moment , Andrea held his hand and let the tears fall . even " I know I shouldn't have stopped you from explaining to Chloe . I was selfish ... but I was scared , " she admitted . " Six years ago , your grandfather could've destroyed both our lives with a single word . Even now , your family could ruin me like killing an ant . " She sobbed with pain , voice cracked . " Chloe already hates me this much . If she ever learns what I've been through these six years - if she finds out Clint's real parentage - she'll tell everyone . Then your family will despise me even more , look down on me even worse ." She drew a shaky breath and went on . " How could we ever survive in Kingsford then ? How could I even face my family and friends ? If I hadn't come to you , who else could I turn to ? " " Andrea , lan comforted . " Don't worry . I'll keep Clint's cret for you . I'll handle everything . " Andrea had endured unspeakable torment , forced to give birth to a believed he owed her this much . a child all while lan married someone else , completely unaware . Ian 1/2 P. Chapter 22 : " But Ian , " Andrea whispered . " I know we have caused trouble for you and Chloe , but I can't help feeling uneasy . I'm scared ..." Ian stood and patted her back gently , trying to soothe her . " Stop overthinking . Take care of yourself . Leave the rest to me . " 55 vouchers " I can't always hide behind you . This all started because of me , " Andrea held his hand again , putting on an innocent look . " I'll apologize to Chloe and Mia . I can't let them keep misunderstanding me like this ." " No need . You're the one hurt , " Ian withdrew his hand quietly . " They're the ones who owe you an apology . " Chloe spent the morning buried in work . Hours flew by . By noon , most colleagues had left , leaving her alone in the break room . She could've gone home , but didn't want the back - and - forth hassle . Sitting quietly by the window , untouched lunch box in front of her , she stared out at the city through the window . When Ian walked in , she only gave him a cold , flat glance . " Chloe , " greeted Ian , sitting across from her . His eyes flicked to her untouched lunch and then to her delicate face . She had put on makeup today - beautiful , but he preferred her natural look , pure enough to make his heart ache . Seeing her unnervingly still , Ian recalled last night , when Chloe , frantic and clutching a fruit knife , refused to let him leave . He sighed inside , then he rose and crossed the room , gently taking her arm . " I know you're not a fan of cafeteria food ," he said . " Come on , I'll take you out to a real restaurant . " Chloe subtly leaned away , avoiding his hand . Ian's hand hovered , then fell naturally . After a brief pause , he pulled a chair next to her . " Chloe ... " he turned to face her . " Can we talk calmly ? " Chloe turned her head , numb . " About what ? " She knew why he was here . Mia had told her everything - Ian , just to force Mia to apologize to Andrea , had gone so far as to threaten her , saying he'd send Mia overseas if she refused . If he could be this ruthless to family , how much mercy would he show her ? Chloe dared not to think . " Andrea's in the hospital , " Ian's steady gaze met Chloe's . " Mia did it . She beat her up . " Chloe knew this mess started because of her . She couldn't keep letting Mia take the fall . " So what ? " Without hesitation , Chloe replied , " Go ahead - arrest me if you want . " " It's not that serious , " Ian reached for her hand . " Just go apologize to Andrea . " " Apologize to Andrea ? " Chloe eased out of his grasp , lifting her chin to meet his gaze . " You'd better kill me now. " Even though she had prepared herself , hearing lan's demand out loud made her chest ache . She rose to leave , but Ian grabbed her wrist . " Didn't you send Mia to Andrea's place ? " he asked . 212