Chapter 35 The next morning , Chloe went to work as usual . She'd lost weight these past weeks , her frame delicate , her face drawn . Even makeup couldn't hide the hollows under her eyes . 63 55 vouchers After assisting Mr. Murphy with a patient , she headed toward the therapy wing - and ran into Eric again . The Jordan family owned private hospitals all over the world . Eric wasn't based at Kingsford General Hospital , but he came in often for expert consults . Chloe saw him around a lot . He took one look at her . " Working for Mr. Murphy ... too much pressure ? " Chloe smiled politely , then hesitated . " Eric ... you know people everywhere . Do you know anyone at an auction house ? " Eric nudged his glasses up his nose . " Buying or selling ? " " I have a set of jewelry . I want a reliable company to appraise it ... maybe sell if the price is right . " Chloe said . " I know a senior appraiser at Glory Profit Auction House , " Eric said . " I'm meeting him after work . Why don't you come with me ? I can introduce you . " Chloe felt warmth rise to her cheeks , her voice steadier than it had been in days . " Thank you , Eric . I'll meet you after work . " With a goal in sight , she felt lighter . Once she sold the jewelry , she could pay Ian back - and walk away for good . She could've asked Mia or Patrick for help . But they were too close to Ian . She didn't want complications . By the time her shift ended , Chloe stepped out of the hospital's main building . Eric's car wasn't there yet . But Ian was . Standing on the steps , Chloe watched fan approach from a distance - and felt her expression slowly cool . Jan stopped in front of her , voice low and even . " I booked your favorite restaurant . Let your parents know you'll be late . I'll drive you back later ." At six - foot - three in an immaculate suit , with sharp features and that quiet , commanding air , lan drew stares just by standing there . Chloe stepped aside , putting space between them . " lan , being abandoned mid - dinner while you run off to your old flame ... once was enough to last me a lifetime . I don't need to experience it again . " Ian's gaze lingered on Chloe , shadowed and unreadable . He reached for her hand- 13:20 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 35 55 vouchers She eased back without a word , then crossed the pavement in quick strides , slipping into Eric's car that had pulled up unnoticed . Ian stood frozen , watching as Chloe disappeared into another man's car , a tight , heavy ache pressing hard against his chest . Behind him , the hospital doors eased open . Andrea stepped out , cautious . She crossed to lan - and flinched at the darkness clouding his face . " lan... maybe I should talk to your wife , " she said softly , guilt edging her voice . " Woman to woman . It might go more smoothly . " Ian's eyes finally shifted to her . " That won't work ." He said quietly . " You don't know her temper . " Andrea fell silent , nodding faintly , and didn't press further . Andrea's voice was soft , laced with guilt . " I'm sorry , Ian . I just ... I want to forget the past and start over . If it were only me , I'd rather die than come back and disturb your life . But I'm a mother . My child is innocent . You understand that ... don't you ? " Ian looked at her - at the fragility in her face - and his tone gentled . " Andrea ... I know it hasn't been easy . You sacrificed so much for me . You suffered for it. You were a victim . But Chloe is a victim , too . Your pain wasn't caused by her . But hers ... was caused by us . " Andrea nodded again and again , tears streaking down her cheeks . " I know . We've only dragged you down . " Ian's gaze sharpened . " Stop . You don't owe me apologies . This is my debt , not yours . And I'll say it again- don't appear in front of my wife unless I give you permission. " Andrea nodded quickly . " Of course . I'll do whatever you say . " Then , hesitating , her tone turned cautious . " Ian ... since you faked the paternity test , and your family already accepts him ... could you legally register him under your name ? It'd make school enrollment easier , and it might ease your family's doubts . " Jan's expression hardened . " Andrea ... I may feel guilty . But I have lines I won't cross . " He turned away , tension etched in his shoulders , and walked off toward his car . Andrea trailed him to the curb , watching as he got in without looking back and drove away . Her lips pressed thin . His wife had turned on him completely - and he still wouldn't let her go . Maybe their marriage ran deeper than she thought . Six years ago , when they'd been together , she'd tried again and again to close the distance between them . Ian had never crossed that line . Since coming back , Andrea had tested him more than once . Ian never crossed the line . 13:20 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 35 220 12 55 vouchers She'd been gone six years . Had another man's child . It was only natural his feelings had faded . And yet the day she came back , one phone call had been enough . He'd dropped everything , Abandoned his wife . Stayed by her side , caring for her and her son for a month . And these days , too - he gave her anything she asked for . She could feel it . lan still had feelings for her . But until he divorced Chloe , she couldn't confess her own . So she'd retreat . Let the child be her excuse . If she didn't give up , one day , Ian would come back to her . Andrea held that thought like a secret , silent vow . The next day at noon , while lan was out , Chloe slipped back into their apartment . She'd left in a rush at the hospital that day , never packed . Now she moved quictly through the rooms , gathering what she needed into a single suitcase and dumping everything else in the trash . In the bathroom , she opened a plastic bag tucked behind the sink . Toothbrushes . Mugs . Towels . Slippers . Matching , in different colors . She stared for a long moment , lips curving faintly . He must've bought them that night - before taking her back to Hamilton Manor . Then she'd overheard what he said in the study . Started pushing for divorce . He'd never had the chance to give them to her . Her smile cracked , brittle at the edges . Chloe walked into the study . On the desk lay a single sheet of paper . Father : Jan Hamilton Son : Clint Sherman Paternity probability : 99.999 % Result : The tested male is the biological father of the child . Certified by the authority's official seal . Her fingers trembled . The report weighed like lead in her hands . Clint Sherman . 13:20 Thu , Oct 2 Chapter 35 The proof of their love . Even his name spelled it out . Chloe swallowed hard , blinked back tears , and took a photo of the report with her phone . Then she set it down . She pulled out the divorce papers she'd rewritten . Placed them side by side with the report on Ian's desk . And walked away . 2 EX 55 vouchers