Chapter 9 Ian and Chloe's eyes met in silence . After only a brief glance , Chloe turned away . 55 vouchers Over the past few days , she had hidden away in a shabby inn , trapped in a cycle of crying , sleeping , eating , vomiting . Not once had lan called or sent a single message . She had thought she was finally beginning to heal after enduring that living hell , but the sight of Ian holding Andrea so tenderly in the elevator made her heart ache again . At least Mom is out of the hospital now . I can finally divorce him . ' Ian's gaze sharpened as he took in Chloe's thin , haggard appearance . ' How did she become so worn - out in just a few days ? ' As more people crowded into the elevator , he withdrew his gaze and pulled Andrea closer . Chloe held her parents back , explaining that it was too crowded , and stopped them from entering . After Chloe accompanied her parents home , she did not hurry to leave . Frank went out to buy groceries to cook for them . Jill drew Chloe into the bedroom for a private talk . " Chloe , be honest with me , have you and Ian been fighting ? " A mother knew her daughter best , and Jill had clearly noticed how utterly worn - out Chloe had looked these past few days . Chloe's tears began to fall , frightening Jill . " Chloe , " she asked gently , her own heart sinking , " did Ian do something to hurt you ? " She knew her daughter too well . Chloe had always loved Ian more than herself . Nothing else could have broken Chloe so completely except Ian's betrayal . Chloe didn't answer . Instead , she buried herself in Jill's arms and sobbed uncontrollably . As a woman , and as Chloe's mother, Jill understood immediately . She held Chloe tightly and began to cry with her . When Chloe finally cried herself out , she slowly pulled herself together and met her mother's eyes . " Mom , the woman he has always loved is back . I want a divorce . " Jill wiped away her tears , her voice soft with compassion . " Whatever you decide to do , your father and I will stand by you , " she said , pulling Chloe into a warm , reassuring embrace . When they walked out of the room , Chloe found Frank standing by the door , his eyes red and his hand trembling . This once proud and steady man spoke in a broken voice , " This is all my fault . I've failed you . " If the Irvine family hadn't fallen , he would never have allowed his daughter to suffer this way . But for years , they had depended on Ian's support , so Frank had to bow his head . He didn't even have the courage to demand an explanation for his daughter's pain . That night , Chloe stayed at her parents ' house instead of going back home . When Ian returned and found Chloe absent , he wasn't surprised . ' She has always been a devoted daughter . Her mother has just come home from the hospital . It makes sense for her to stay with Jill ,' he thought . lan called Hamilton Manor to let them know Chloe had returned safely so they would stop worrying . The moment Miranda and Mia heard the news , they rushed over right away , only to find that Chloe wasn't there after all . Jan explained calmly , " Her mother was discharged from the hospital today . She decided to stay at her parents ' house to keep them company for a while . A Miranda was so furious that she raised her hand to slap him , but stopped herself at the last moment . " lan , your mother - in - law was just discharged . Shouldn't you have been there to help ? " Ian still thought there was no need . " Mom , Chloe's parents are reasonable people . They won't blame me ." Even though the Irvine family had gone bankrupt and could no longer support Ian's career , Chloe's parents were kind , sensible , and never made unreasonable demands . As far as he was concerned , he didn't hate them . Mia was furious . " Ian , how can you be so heartless ? Chloe was missing for days and just came back . The least you could do is go see her and explain yourself . Isn't this what a husband should do ? " P Chapter 9 55 vouchers Ian replied , " Don't worry about it . She'll come back on her own when she's ready . " His tone was casual , almost unconcerned , as though the matter required no further attention . Miranda was beside herself with anger . " Ian , you're just as cold and heartless as your father . The only reason I never divorced him was because I couldn't bear to leave you and Mia behind . And I've regretted that choice for decades . " She added , her voice sharp with warning , " But you may not be as lucky as he was . You and Chloe have no children . If her love for you fades , there will be nothing left to hold her here . Keep being this indifferent , and let's see if she stays . " Ian's tone was utterly certain . " Mom , don't exaggerate . Chloe would never divorce me . " He remembered her wedding vow clearly . She had said she would rather die than give up on him . Mia rolled her eyes in anger . ***** After leaving her son's house , Miranda went to the Irvine home to bring Chloe back . Jill and Frank received her with polite respect , but firmly declined to let Chloe leave with her . Mia took Chloe's hand and pleaded earnestly , " Chloe , Ian knows he was wrong . Please come back with us . " She added with a hint of desperate humor , " I'll even make Mom slap him if it'll make you feel better . " Chloe had originally intended to divorce lan without involving his parents . But since Miranda had come personally , she decided it was time to be clear . Guiding Mia to sit down , she spoke calmly but firmly to Miranda , " Miranda , my mind is made up . I want a divorce from Ian ." As soon as Chloe finished her words , Miranda's face turned pale . Mia jumped to her feet in a panic . " Chloe , I know Ian has been a complete idiot , but you two have been together for so many years . Please don't make a decision like this when you're upset . " Chloe felt a bitter ache in her heart . ' It's true we've known each other for years , but it was always just me loving him . ' Then she spoke with resolve , " I've made my decision . There's no need to try and change my mind . " Jill's eyes were still swollen from crying , but she spoke to Miranda without resentment . " Miranda , we will always be grateful for everything lan has done for us over the years . But since Ian's heart belongs to someone else now , it's better to let them divorce before there are children involved . " Miranda said nothing as she left the Irvines . She had endured her own husband's betrayal in her youth and understood better than anyone the agony that made you wish you were dead . But for the sake of her two children and the stability of both families , Miranda had forced herself to endure it all . When she found out Shane's affair , he immediately cut off all contact with the other woman . He didn't even dare to acknowledge the bastard child and returned to the family . But the coldness in his nature never truly changed . The men of the Hamilton family were calculating , seeing only power and profit . They were always calm , always scheming . Edward Hamilton was that way . Shane Hamilton was that way . And Ian Hamilton , the son she had raised , was no exception . She had watched Chloe grow up . Chloe was still so young , and all she wanted was for Chloe to be happy . As a woman who understood heartache , she felt Chloe should be free to leave . But as a mother , she couldn't bear to watch her son's marriage fall apart . Feeling helpless , Miranda returned to Ian's house . Finding him still awake , she allowed herself a flicker of hope . " Tomorrow is the weekend . Bring some gifts and come with me to the Irvines . Apologize to Chloe's parents , explain everything properly , and bring her back home ." Ian had been struggling with insomnia for days and looked utterly worn out . " Mom , I'll work things out with Chloe in my own way ," he said , his voice heavy with fatigue , " Just try not to worry so much . " C Mia stamped her foot in urgency , her voice rising with panic . " Ian , Chloe is serious about divorcing you . If you don't do something now , you're going to lose her for good . " A flicker of tension crossed lan's face . But then his expression smoothed over into calm again . " Mia , you're not a child anymore . Stop spreading nonsense ."