Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 158

Chapter 158

Ian watched Chloe carefully, worry flickering in his eyes.

He said, “I bought your favorite crab buns.”

Ian handed Chloe her breakfast.

Chloe shot Ian a cold look, took the food, and without a word, tossed it straight into the trash.

lan’s face grew grim, but he just stood there and didn’t say a word.

Chloe narrowed her eyes, “Is there something else?”

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Ian glanced at his watch. “Chloe, trust me. I went to see her behind your back, but it was only to settle some things–I never meant to hold her.”

Chloe cut him off, her expression frosty. “Ian, you already have a kid together. Does it even matter what you say now?”

Their eyes met, a heavy silence hanging between them.

Suddenly, Ian felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, like all his energy had been drained away in an

instant.

Ian said, “The kid was born six years ago. Back then, we weren’t even married, and when I married you, I had no idea he existed. Is one child really enough for you to throw away everything we’ve built together?”

Ian could only say this, trying to keep Chloe from falling apart while still covering up the truth about the child.

Chloe didn’t let up. “That kid might’ve come along before we got married, fine. But after you knew–what then? What did you actually do?”

She kept at him. “Since Andrea came back dragging that kid along, did you two ever stop? Has there ever been a single moment where you really let go of her?”

Chloe’s face was cold as ice, each word sharp. “Ian, we’ve known each other for over twenty years. Tell me- how have I ever wronged you? Why do you have to put me through this?”

Ian shook his head, nearly falling apart. “No, Chloe. I swear–I never wanted to hurt you.”

All he ever wanted was just to keep their marriage from falling apart.

Chloe locked eyes with lan, her face hard. “I’m only tolerating all this because you swore you wouldn’t interfere with my work. But if you mess with my job and I can’t keep doing it, then I’ve got nothing holding

me back.”

With that, Chloe shoved past Jan and walked away.

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Once she cured Julian, she’d call in that favor and have him look out for her family.

As long as her family wasn’t her soft spot anymore, she wouldn’t care if it all came crashing down with Ian.

9 a.m., Hamilton Group Headquarters Boardroom.

Mitchell noticed lan zoning out again and quickly stepped forward to remind him, “Mr. Hamilton?”

Ian finally snapped back to reality.

Ian was always all business, but today, he kept spacing out during the morning meeting.

The Hamilton Group’s top brass had never seen Ian like this before. They exchanged uneasy glances, but nobody dared to say a word.

Ian rubbed his temples, looking exhausted. “Mr. Stone, you take over this project.”

With that, Ian got up and walked out of the boardroom.

The moment Ian left, the boardroom erupted.

A middle–aged executive stopped Mitchell. “Mr. Garrison, is Mr. Hamilton alright? What’s going on with him?”

Mitchell didn’t dare say a word.

He quickly gathered up the meeting materials and hurried out of the boardroom.

When Mitchell walked into Ian’s office, he found Ian staring blankly at his phone again.

Mitchell set the files down carefully and said, “Mr. Hamilton, while you were in the meeting, Mrs. Hamilton called. She asked me to inform you–she wants you to bring Chloe home this weekend. Sounds like there are guests coming over.”

Ian waved him off irritably, and Mitchell quietly left the office.

Ian opened up Chloe’s WhatsApp chat window, his fingers hovering over the keyboard as he struggled to come up with the right words.

He stared at the send button for ages, then deleted everything he’d written.

Suddenly, as if something hit him, Ian jumped up, grabbed his coat, and rushed out of the office.

At ten in the morning, Chloe waited until lan was out at work before slipping back to grab her laptop, some fresh underwear, and a change of clothes.

Since Carrmen Rowe wasn’t too fond of her, Chloe knew she could only crash at the Rowe Estate for a few days at most–so she just packed up her laptop and stuffed her essentials into a suitcase.

Just then, Chloe heard the click of the bedroom door unlocking behind her–her heart jumped. She spun around and saw Jan walking in.

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Chloe frowned. “Why are you back?”

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Ian strode right up to her and snatched the suitcase out of her hands. “Where do you think you’re going with all this?”

Chloe didn’t bother beating around the bush. “I’m not in a good place right now. I’m heading to the Rowe Estate for a few days to clear my head.”

lan kept his eyes locked on Chloe, his voice softening. “If you need to get away for a bit, I’ll go wherever you want–but the Rowe Estate really isn’t the place for you.”

Chloe was getting seriously annoyed.

She snapped, “Ian, just seeing you ruins my mood. I can’t stand being around you. Every time you’re here, I feel trapped, miserable, and totally unhappy. Do you really need me to lay it out that bluntly?”

Their eyes met, and Ian took a shaky step back.

He caved instantly, saying, “Okay, I was wrong to lie to you last night. I’ll crash at the office for a few days–I won’t come home. Is that good enough?”

Chloe shoved him aside. “No!”

As Chloe zipped up her suitcase and started to leave, Ian couldn’t help himself–he grabbed her, holding on tight, desperate not to let go.

He begged, “Chloe, if you don’t believe me, I’ll swear to anything–just say the word.”

Ian pleaded, “Ever since Andrea came back with that kid, yes, I’ve been taking care of her, making sure she’s alright, but I swear to you–I never crossed the line with her. I never betrayed you, not once. Chloe, please, just give me this one chance to prove it!”

Chloe knew that if she kept getting tangled up with Ian, she’d never be able to leave.

She took a quiet, steadying breath.

Then, in the gentlest voice she could muster, she said to Ian, “But words mean nothing–seeing is believing. Just let me go and cool off for a few days. When I’m ready, you can come get me at the Rowe Estate.”

lan reluctantly loosened his grip on Chloe, clearly not wanting to let her go.

He looked into her eyes. “Really?”

Chloe held up five fingers. “Just five days. Let me sort out my feelings. In five days, come get me at the Rowe Estate. If I don’t come back with you, you can call me anything you want.”

There’s a negotiating concept known as the Pandora Effect.

It’s that reverse psychology thing–the more you tell someone not to do something, the more they want to try

1. it.

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The harder Ian tried to keep her from leaving, the more determined Chloe became to go–and the more he tried to hold her back.

She had no choice but to compromise with Ian, just so she could get out of there for now.

Ian was quiet for a moment.

He said tentatively, “Maybe three or five days isn’t out of the question, but my aunt and her family are coming back from overseas tomorrow. My parents want you to come with me to Hamilton Manor.”

Chloe didn’t skip a beat. “Ian, me and your grandpa mix like oil and water. If I set foot there, that family dinner could easily turn into an all–out brawl. Honestly, you’re better off not going either.”

With that, Chloe hurried out the door.

Ian gripped Chloe’s wrist, refusing to let her just walk away.

He paused, clearly torn, before finally saying, “Let me take you to the Rowe Estate.”

So, trying to salvage what he could with Chloe, Ian drove her over to the Rowe Estate himself.

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