Chapter 34 Chapter 34 55 vouchers Days of torment had hollowed Chloe out . But now , somehow , Chloe felt a fragile thread of hope pulling her forward . Like her parents said , it's just a divorce . Not the end of the world . She splashed cold water on her face , pulled herself together , and stepped out to take out the trash - only to freeze at the sight of a familiar backpack lying by the door . It's Carl's . A flicker of dread shot through her . She searched the stairwell top to bottom . No sign of him . Heart tight , Chloe carried the bag back inside . " Dad , Mom ... I think Carl overheard us . " Jill set down the plate in her hands and untied Frank's apron , her voice taut . " That stubborn boy ... God , let him not do anything stupid ." Minutes later , the three of them were out the door . The Irvine family had been in decline for years . Her parents had long since shed the polish they once wore , reshaped by years of small lives and quiet compromises . If lan chose to see them , they were the refined in - laws of a powerful family . If he didn't , they were just ... ordinary people . Powerless . And if anything went wrong , they'd be nothing more than lambs to the slaughter . ***** Around seven that evening , Carl arrived at the apartment Chloe once shared with Ian . Inside , Ian was talking quietly with Patrick in the living room . Mia got up to answer the door . She froze when she saw Carl storm in , shoulders squared , fire in his eyes . " Carl ... did you come here alone ? " she asked , glancing behind him . Carl didn't answer . He strode straight to the living room , snatched a glass - and flung the contents at Ian . Mia gasped . A split - second later came the sharp crack of glass - Carl had grabbed the wine bottle , smashed it against the edge of the table , and vaulted over , ready to bring it down on Ian's head . Patrick caught Carl around the waist , twisting the jagged bottle from his hand . " Easy , kid , " he muttered . " This isn't the head you get to break . " Carl was all lean height and restless energy - white tee , loose sweats , the black - and - red cord of his earbuds coiled around his ear like an accent mark . He jabbed a shaking finger at Ian , his eyes rimmed with red . " Ian- " He still hadn't gotten used to calling him by his name . " Chloe loves you ! How could you betray her ! " 13:20 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 34 220 Ian tossed aside the napkin he'd been holding and stood , calm , deliberate . He crossed the space between them and reached to straighten Carl's earbud cord . Carl snapped his head away , glaring daggers . " Don't touch me . " Ian sighed quietly . " Does Chloe know you're here ? " Patrick still had one of Carl's arms pinned when the boy lashed out with a kick . " I don't care what it takes- pay you back , every cent - she's divorcing you ! " Ian's brows pulled tight . " Carl , " he said , voice low and precise , " Chloe will only ever have one husband - and it's me . I'm not divorcing her . " He nodded at Patrick to let go and stepped forward , catching Carl by the arm . " Come on . I'll drive you home ! Carl twisted - and whipped a high kick at Ian's head . Ian caught his leg , locking his shoulder in place , giving him no chance to fight back . " I know your karate's good ," Ian said evenly . " But if you want to beat me ... give it a few more years ." " You son of a bitch ! " Carl shouted . Chloe stepped inside - and froze . Ian had Carl locked in place , one arm braced across his shoulders like a restraint . Ian saw her . His hand fell away . Chloe crossed the room in quick strides , shoving Ian back with both hands . She pulled her brother behind her , scanning him head to toe . " Carl . Are you hurt ? " The tall boy straightened , still bristling , but obedient under her gaze . " I'm fine . When I'm grown , I'll make him pay . " Jill and Frank swept in , took their children each by the arm , and started for the door . Ian watched Chloe walk away with her parents , and something sharp clenched hard in his chest - like the air had been ripped out of him . He took two steps after her and caught her wrist . " Chloe . " She looked up at him , gaze steady , voice flat . " I'll be staying with my parents for now . I'll pay you back as soon as I can - and then I'll divorce you . If you have any concerns , take your time . When you're ready , tell me . I'll do my best to accommodate them . " Ian stared at her resolute face . Slowly , his grip eased . Mia hurried over , eyes wide , eager to distance herself . " Chloe , it was my brother who messed up . You're not gonna cut me off too , right ? " Chloe gave her a small , reassuring smile . " Mia ... even if I divorce your brother , you'll always be my best friend . " 13:20 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 34 : As she left with Carl and her parents , she paused to nod at Patrick . " Patrick , we'll get going . " Patrick and Mia walked them to the door . A 63 E55 vouchers The moment it shut , Mia turned back - and the more she looked at her brother , the more furious she got . With a huff , she grabbed her bag and stormed out too . When everyone had gone , Patrick leaned against the cabinet , watching Ian . " She sounded dead serious . Did she get her hands on money ? " Ian sank back onto the couch , exhaustion tugging at his features . He poured himself a drink . " Her mother owns a jewelry set worth over a billion . " He stared at the amber swirl in his glass . Chloe's parents had spoiled her all her life . If she asked for help ... they'd give it . They'd do anything if they thought she'd been wronged . It was the only reason she could look so certain - saying she'd pay him back and walk away . Patrick's jaw tightened . " She's ready to walk away , and you're still not going to explain ? " Ian's voice was low , flat . " Years ago , my grandfather threatened Andrea behind my back . Forced her overseas . Made her marry someone else . She left to protect me . To keep my place in the Hamilton family . To protect my future . She kept it secret for six years . Six years of hell . If she hadn't been cornered , she never would've come back . " He set his glass down with a soft clink . " If I told the truth about Andrea and her son , Grandfather would never let them near me. To protect the Hamilton name , he'd do whatever it took - erase every threat , no matter the cost . " Ian's gaze went cold . " The only way my grandfather and my father will look the other way , is if they believe the boy is mine . " Patrick exhaled sharply . " You couldn't just set the Shermans up in another city ? " Ian pressed a thumb to his brow , a faint crease digging between his brows . " I tried . Andrea refused . Her mother and brother refused , too . She won't take my money . She won't leave . " Patrick let out a sharp laugh . " She won't take your money , but she'll take everything else . Says she doesn't want to disrupt your life with Chloe - yet she refuses to leave . That woman is doing this on purpose . " Ian kept his gaze lowered , shoulders drawn with quiet fatigue . " She's been through hell these years ." he said softly . " She's scared . Of my grandfather . I can understand that . " Patrick's jaw tightened . " So what - you're giving up on Chloe ? Divorcing her ? " " I'm not divorcing her . " The words left lan without hesitation . He knew Chloe couldn't accept what he'd done . Knew her asking for divorce was pure anger . He could let her stay with her parents . Give her time . Let her cool down . 13:20 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 34 C63 55 vouchers She loved him for over twenty years . Married him for three . She wasn't leaving . He wasn't letting her .