Chapter 5 55 vouchers In the dead of night , Ian returned home . The house was plunged in total darkness , every light turned off . Unused to the emptiness , he paused for a moment in the doorway before finally switching on the lights . Throughout their three years of marriage , no matter how late he returned , Chloe would always be waiting for him on the living room sofa , with the TV casting a soft glow across the room . The moment she saw him , she would run over barefoot , leap into his arms , and cling to him playfully , refusing to let go . But tonight , she hadn't even left a single light on for him . It was then that he realized she was truly angry . Dragging his tired feet into the bedroom , he found it still enveloped in darkness . With the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains , he turned on the bedside lamp . The sudden light made Chloe instinctively bury her face deeper into the pillow . Ian sat on the edge of the bed and reached out to gently brush the stray hair from her forehead , checking to see if she was truly asleep . But Chloe kept her face buried , refusing to show any response . After a moment's hesitation , Ian turned away and walked into the bathroom . Listening to the sound of running water from the bathroom , Chloe slowly opened her eyes . Her damp eyelashes fluttered faintly as she drew a shaky breath . Then she buried her face deeper into the pillow . Ian stepped out of the bathroom wearing a dark bathrobe , his hair still damp and dripping . He bent down quietly to check on Chloe . When he saw she was still asleep , he switched off the lamp and retreated alone to his study . The study was dark . Ian stood by the window , lit a cigarette , and held up the diamond bracelet in his hand . ' She couldn't have found out . If she had , with her temperament , she would have made a scene . Her bracelet turning up on the 13th floor must be a coincidence , Ian thought . ***** Early the next morning , Chloe got up , washed , and got ready to bring breakfast to her parents . Ian stepped out of the walk - in closet , fully dressed . Without any intention of speaking to Ian , Chloe simply picked up her phone and turned to leave . Ian moved swiftly in front of her , his hand closing around her empty wrist . " Where's the bracelet ? Why aren't you wearing it ? " His eyes held hers , demanding an answer . Chloe lowered her eyes , her voice coming out hoarse and barely audible . " I'm not sure , " she murmured . " Maybe I lost it somewhere . " She tried to pull her wrist back , avoiding his gaze . lan ignored her hoarse voice and fixed her with a penetrating stare . " I ran into Carl last night , " he said , his tone deliberate and searching . He watched her closely , waiting for any shift in her expression . Only then did Chloe realize he was testing her . She took a deep breath and met his gaze directly . " After we parted ways last night , I went back to the hospital to check on my mom . Carl mentioned he saw you heading to the 13th floor . I went up to look for you , but when I couldn't find you , I decided to come home . " lan took the diamond bracelet from his pocket . " You dropped this at the hospital ," he said , holding it out to her . " I found it and brought it back for you . " He carefully avoided the real issue , never explaining what had brought him there in the first place . lan tried to fasten the bracelet around Chloe's wrist once more , but she pushed his hand away and drew her arm back firmly . " I don't want it , " she said , her voice quiet but resolute . For once , lan tried to coax her patiently . " Just wear this for now , " he said , his voice softening . " Once I wrap things up at work , I'll take you to pick out a new one . You can get anything you want . " Chloe felt as if she were losing her mind . All the resentment and helplessness she had suppressed for days erupted at that moment , Her composure shattered completely . " I said I don't want it ! I don't want gifts that aren't exclusive ! And I don't want a husband who isn't fully mine ! * Seeing Chloe finally lose her temper , lan felt a wave of private relief . ' She's been spoiled since she was little , always gets emotional when she doesn't get her way . So that's all this is . She's just mad that the bracelet wasn't exclusive . " Ian naturally wrapped his hands around Chloe's slender waist and leaned in to kiss her . But the moment their lips met , she pushed him away with unexpected force . 1/3 Chapter 5 55 vouchers Unlike before , when even his slightest touch would set her ablaze , now she cried and twisted away in refusal . " I don't want this ! Stop ! " She fought like a madwoman , shoving , pushing , striking out at him in raw anguish . Ian grabbed her wrists , his patience wearing thin . " Chloe , that's enough , " he said . He could tolerate her occasional willfulness , but not this level of hysteria . Trying to talk to her now was pointless . Chloe's emotions spiraled completely out of control . " I've been like this since I was a child , " she shot back , her voice trembling with anger and hurt . " What , did it just now occur to you ? " Ian remained extremely calm . " Is this really all about a bracelet ? " he asked , his tone cool and detached . " You're acting like it's the end of the world over a piece of jewelry . " Chloe started throwing things around like a lunatic . " You know exactly what you've done , lan ! " she screamed , tears streaming down her face as she shoved him violently toward the door . " Weren't you the one who refused to come home ? Then go ! Get out ! " Ian pulled her firmly against his chest , restraining her flailing arms . " Enough , " he said , his voice low but commanding . " You're going to hurt yourself . " Just then , the vibration of Ian's phone interrupted their argument at the worst possible moment . His hasty move to hang up the call only provoked Chloe further , She reached for his phone . " Answer it . You're always so busy with work . Answer it then ! " She had reached her breaking point . When Ian still refused to hand over the phone , Chloe bit his hand . Startled by the pain , he shoved her back so hard that she lost her balance and fell to the floor with a heavy thud . The room went completely quiet . Ian stood breathing heavily as he looked at Chloe lying motionless on the ground , her hair disheveled . Finally , he turned away , too tired to go on . When Chloe was a child , she was playful and knew just what to say to win people over . When she was a teenager , she was pretty and kind , lighting up any room she entered . When she became an adult , she was affectionate and clingy , always cuddling up to him and asking for kisses . After marriage , she slowly left her childish ways behind and became a gentle , thoughtful wife , always ready to care for him . No matter which version of her it was , she had always been bright , confident , and carried herself with dignity . She had never acted like a shrew , had never been hysterical , and certainly had never screamed at Ian like this . " We'll talk when you've calmed down , " Ian said , his voice flat and distant . Without another word or a single glance back , he turned and walked out the door , leaving her alone in the tense , heavy silence . Just then , Mia arrived to see Chloe . Ian glanced toward the second floor and said , " She's in a bad mood . I'll order some food for her . Later , you make sure she eats something and take her out for a walk to lift her spirits ." Without waiting for a reply , he was already gone . This isn't the first time she has faked passing out . Before , whenever she made me angry , she'd pretend to faint , act sick , or play the victim . Every time I saw that pitiful look on her face , I'd give in . But this time she has gone too far . She needs to cool down on her own , lan thought . Mia rushed upstairs and entered the master bedroom . Her heart dropped when she saw Chloe lying motionless on the floor . She hurried over to help Chloe up , only to realize Chloe had truly passed out . Panicked , she immediately tried calling lan , but the line was busy . With no other choice , she finally dialed 911 . When Chloe woke , she found herself in a hospital room . Her sister - in - law , Mia and mother - in - law Miranda Hamilton were both standing by her bed . Seeing Chloe awake , Miranda moved closer and asked with concern , " Chloe , are you feeling better now ? " Chloe nodded weakly , her voice barely a whisper . " Miranda ," she murmured , " why am I in the hospital ? " She tried to sit up slightly , her eyes confused and weary . Mia gently helped Chloe sit up , propping a pillow behind her back for support . " Chloe , " she said softly , " you fainted at home earlier . " Chloe slowly regained her memory . She remembered arguing with lan , biting him , and then being thrown off balance . She glanced around the ward and asked Mia . " Did Ian bring me here and then just leave ? "