Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Chapter 197

It was 11:45 AM on the last Monday of May.

Ian and Chloe walked side by side out of the courthouse.

Chloe hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly between her and Ian.

She held up the divorce certificate to the sunlight, inspecting it with curiosity.

Chloe thought, ‘So this is what it looks like–it’s actually purple–red!

There were no unexpected twists.

And there was no thirty–day cooling–off period, either.

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Chloe’s lips curled into a smile, and the long–held tension and anxiety that had weighed her down were finally gone. For the first time in ages, she felt unbelievably free–like a huge burden had been lifted.

But that slow, blossoming smile on Chloe’s face went straight to Ian’s nerves, making him feel like something inside had snapped. He was clutching his divorce certificate so hard that the paper was already warped and creased from his grip.

Ian couldn’t hide the hurt in his voice. “We just got divorced… and you’re seriously this happy?”

It suddenly hit Chloe that Ian was still standing beside her. She swiftly stowed the divorce certificate into her bag.

Her phone kept buzzing in her pocket. Chloe said, “We’re done here, so I won’t hold you up. You go do your thing–just leave the suitcase with me, I’ll catch a cab and head home myself.”

Now that the divorce was official, Chloe’s attitude toward Ian softened–she was finally being friendly to him.

Ian swallowed the storm of feelings churning inside, trying hard to keep his composure.

He said, “It’s already lunchtime. How about we eat first, and then I’ll take you home.”

Before Chloe could refuse, Jan said, “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

Chloe hesitated, then nodded. “Mr. Hamilton, let me buy lunch–my treat for our send–off”

Calling him ‘Mr. Hamilton‘ like that instantly killed whatever good mood lan had left–his face went completely dark.

Once the two were in the car, lan just stared ahead, keeping silent, his mood gloomy as ever

Seeing him like that, Chloe barely spared lan a glance. She whipped out her divorce certificate from her bag, checked it over from every angle, and then grabbed her phone.

She had zero heartbreak vibes–nothing like the devastated ex–wife people usually expect.

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Chapter 197

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But just as Chloe was about to snap a photo, Ian blocked her hand before she could take the shot.

Chloe shoved his hand away. “Mr. Hamilton, we’re not together anymore. You don’t get to boss me around.”

With a scowl, Ian snatched the divorce certificate from Chloe and stuffed it back into her bag.

Ian said, “I’m the CEO of Hamilton Group. My divorce is bound to go public. I’ve already had Mitchell prepare a statement, and the company will make an official announcement. Until we have a unified story, you can’t post anything about this on Instagram.”

Chloe thought about it and realized he was right.

She said. “I got a little too excited. I’ll wait a few days before I post it.”

lan kept his eyes on Chloe, his lips pressed together in a tight, silent line.

They picked out a restaurant and headed inside, each ordering for themselves.

After the waiter served their meals and walked away, Ian quietly cut up Chloe’s steak and pushed the plate over to her.

Chloe said, “Ian, we’re divorced now. You really don’t have to do this anymore.”

Ian’s gaze grew serious as he turned to Chloe. “You promised–if I agreed to the divorce, you’d let me have another shot at winning you over.”

Ian said, “Chloe, from now on, I’m going to do everything I can to win you back. I won’t stop until you’re truly happy with me.”

Chloe snorted and shook her head. “Sure, I said I’d give you a chance if you divorced me. But you never took me up on it, did you?”

Ian’s expression clouded over. “If I hadn’t agreed–no matter who’s got your back, Philip and Julian included -you wouldn’t have gotten this divorce.”

Chloe shot back, “Let’s be real. You only divorced me because of Andrea, not because you care about me. I’m not about to buy that line.”

Ian hadn’t expected Chloe to so shamelessly deny her promise now that it was all over.

He fixed her with a dark, intense stare, not bothering to hide his frustration.

He said, “Whether you admit it or not, I’m going to make you come back to me willingly. I’ll prove to you that I’m serious about you–no matter how long it takes.”

Chloe pressed her lips together, looking a bit conflicted and stubborn.

She thought to herself, ‘Even if lan poured out his heart, I still wouldn’t believe him

Chloe finished every last bite of her meal, leaving her plate spotless.

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Chapter 197

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Ian barely touched his food.

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When they left the restaurant, Chloe was headed back to her parents‘ place, and Ian insisted on giving her a

ride.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, they arrived outside the Irvine family’s villa.

Chloe’s parents had gotten word and were waiting anxiously at the door.

The moment they saw lan and Chloe get out of the car together, their faces fell.

lan set Chloe’s suitcase down at the door and called out to her parents, “Mom, Dad.”

Frank let out a sigh. “Now that you two are divorced, you should just go your separate ways. There’s no need for you to come around here anymore.”

With that, Chloe grabbed her suitcase and walked in without another word.

As Jill Spencer turned to go inside, Ian couldn’t help the redness stinging at the corners of his eyes. He called after her. “Mom.”

Jill stopped in her tracks and said softly, “Now that you and Chloe are divorced, I really can’t be called your mom anymore. Please, don’t use that name for me from now on.”

Ian stood at the door, watching as Chloe’s parents turned and went inside. The sadness inside him hit its peak.

Ever since he was little, his grandpa and dad were always tough on him.

His parents were basically always at each other’s throats.

But whenever he was at the Irvine family’s place, that was the only time he ever knew what a real home felt like.

Chloe’s parents had always welcomed him with open arms.

Whenever he aced an exam, Chloe’s parents would shower him with praise. Every time Hamilton Group hit another milestone, they’d beam with pride like he was their own flesh and blood.

They’d always treated him like family, but in the end, he was the one who hurt them and left them disappointed.

fan called after Jill, his voice breaking. “Mom, I swear–I’ll make you proud again. One day, you’ll welcome me

back

Jill paused on the doorstep, but she never looked back.

Chloe wished she didn’t have to say this.

But she felt she owed it to lan to lay it all out.

Chloe said, “Tan, stop being so stubborn. The moment I decided to leave you, I never once thought about

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Chapter 197

coming back.”

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As Chloe was turning away, lan grabbed her wrist, refusing to let her go.

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Chloe shrugged off his grip. “If Andrea knew you divorced me, she’d probably be so thrilled she’d recover half her illness on the spot. Go celebrate with her–it’s what she’s always wanted.”

Ian stood there facing Chloe, feeling utterly defeated, unable to say a word in his own defense.

Once Chloe got home, her parents couldn’t help blurting out, “Did you really go through with the divorce?”

Chloe pulled out the divorce certificate and handed it over for them to see.

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