Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 161

hapter 161

Before Chloe could say a word, Andrea jumped in. “Mr. Foster, we’ve met Dr. Irvine before.”

Philip nodded in understanding.

‘Mom. Simon called out softly, reaching for Chloe.

He nestled into Chloe’s shoulder, his little face rubbing against her neck like a wounded puppy.

Chloe patted Simon’s back, holding him close as she walked past Ian and into the hospital room.

Andrea grabbed Ian’s arm in shock. “Ian, did you hear that? That kid just called your wife ‘Mom‘!”

Ian subtly brushed Andrea’s hand aside, his tone unfazed. “You’re imagining things.”

Ian knew Philip, but they didn’t really spend much time together.

Philip was a heavyweight in the legal world, handling only corporate cases. He was always flying all over the world and hardly ever rubbed elbows with any Kingsford socialites.

Ian had never been close with Philip, and Chloe definitely wouldn’t know him either.

Most likely, it was just a doctor–patient relationship.

When Ian and Andrea walked into the hospital room, Chloe was sitting at Simon’s bedside, softly soothing him.

Andrea walked up to Philip, her usual swagger from their first meeting nowhere to be seen.

She said, “Mr. Foster, honestly, it’s all my son’s fault. He’s just a kid–didn’t know any better. Please, don’t take any of this to heart.”

Philip stood by the bed, holding a children’s water bottle. “Ms. Sherman, you sure weren’t this nice when we talked last time.”

Andrea lowered her head, embarrassed.

The teacher had only said that Clint got into a fight with another kid at school.

When she got there, she tried to quietly hand the homeroom teacher a thousand bucks, but the teacher just handed the money right back and insisted both sets of parents had to meet face to face.

Andrea thought she could get ahead of things, figured if she came on strong the other parent would see she wasn’t easy to mess with and just move on.

Never in a million years did she expect the other side to be someone so powerful–totally out of her league.

Andrea shot lan a desperate look, hoping he’d step in and bail her out.

Chapter 161

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Ian stepped in. “Mr. Foster, I know you’re an outstanding lawyer, but let’s not turn this into a feud. I’ll double the payment for your son’s medical and nutrition expenses, and Clint will make a public apology to your son. We really hope you’ll be willing to settle this privately.”

Philip turned to Ian. “Mr. Hamilton, are you the boy’s father?”

Ian instinctively glanced at Chloe.

His gaze flickered, looking torn for a moment, then he finally nodded.

Philip turned to Andrea. “So you’re Mrs. Hamilton. My respects.”

Andrea couldn’t help but let a proud smile slip out.

Chloe caught that cocky, gloating grin on Andrea’s face and couldn’t believe how full of herself she’d gotten- honestly, it was just ridiculous.

Philip was an internationally renowned attorney, and his quiet grace and humility showed just how well–bred

he was.

And here Andrea was, acting like she really was hot stuff.

Ian stood there, his eyes locked on Chloe, watching her every reaction.

He’d come here today to settle things as Clint’s father.

Now that he’d admitted Clint was his son, there was no way he could deny Philip calling Andrea “Mrs. Hamilton.”

For some reason, Ian felt a tightness in his chest.

He couldn’t shake off a restless, uneasy sense of helplessness.

Ian planted one hand on the bed’s footrail, and before he even realized it, his grip had tightened until his knuckles were white.

“Mom…” Simon blubbered, his eyes rimmed with tears.

Chloe was about to gently pull her hand back, but seeing Simon shrink into her arms like a frightened puppy, she paused, her heart softening at how scared and clingy he was.

Chloe looked over at Philip.

Philip said, “Mr. Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton, let’s step outside and talk.”

Andrea could barely contain her excitement, clicking her heels as she hurried after Philip out of the hospital

room.

Ian stood rooted to the spot, his feet feeling like they were made of lead.

He forced a smile and turned to Chloe. “Chloe, what did that kid just call you just now?”

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Chloe held Simon close, her voice cool and distant. “Mr. Hamilton, you should go. Don’t keep your wife waiting.”

Ian’s face looked downright grim–like a thundercloud ready to burst.

He was about to walk over to Chloe when Andrea came in and stopped him. “Come on, lan! Mr. Foster’s waiting for us, don’t keep him.”

He stared at Chloe, eyes full of mixed emotions, for what felt like an eternity before finally pulling himself away and following Andrea out of the room.

Once everyone had left, Chloe called in the doctor and made sure Simon got something to help him sleep.

She stayed by Simon’s bedside, keeping watch until Philip finally came back to the room. Only then did she quietly slip out.

Out in the hallway, Eric stopped Chloe.

Eric said, “There’s an academic conference in Harbor City in three days, and we still have one spot open. Does your department have anyone they want to recommend?”

“Three days? Harbor City?‘ Chloe wondered, a little surprised.

Without hesitation, Chloe said, “Eric, let me be the one to attend the conference in three days. The end–of- month slot for Harbor City can go to Dr. Jones.”

Eric paused, then said, “But if you want Harbor City, you’ll have to head out tonight.”

Chloe answered, “I’m good to go whenever.”

Eric gave her a subtle once–over before nodding his approval.

‘Her emotions were a tangled mess inside, swirling so hard she almost couldn’t keep her calm,‘ Chloe thought.

“This way, I can take care of the whole thing early in Harbor City–no need to put it off until the end of the month,‘ she reassured herself.

Chloe’s mind was racing as she reached the elevator–counting, planning, worrying about everything—when Ian suddenly stepped forward and seized her wrist.

She quickly glanced around, then yanked her hand free from Ian’s grip, her voice cool and distant. “If you’ve got something to say, come to my office.”

The two of them walked in silence all the way to Chloe’s office.

As soon as the office door clicked shut, Ian grabbed Chloe and yanked her abruptly into his arms.

No matter how Chloe struggled, he locked her in his embrace and held her tight, refusing to let her go.

His voice came out low and weary, tinged with resignation.

12:24 Sat, Oct 4

Chapter 161

‘Chloe, I’m sorry. I didn’t clear things up with Andrea right away. It’s all on me,” he said.

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Chloe struggled against him, her tone accusing. “You knew it was wrong, yet you went ahead with it anyway.”

Ian said, “If I’d explained everything to Andrea on the spot, the whole school would know Clint was born out of wedlock. He’s just a kid–he couldn’t handle all that right now. Please, I’m asking you to understand, just

this once.

Chloe broke free from Ian’s grasp with all her strength.

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