Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Ian switched off his phone and slipped it back into his pocket.

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The flicker of something unreadable in his eyes vanished with the dark screen. He didn’t

say

another word.

Ian’s driver Robert stayed silent up front. Chloe clenched her hands, forcing back the storm of emotions clawing at her throat.

All the way home, the car was quiet. When they reached their house, Ian stepped out first and opened the door for Chloe.

Another car pulled up next to them, and Mia climbed out with a small parcel for Chloe. Seeing lan arrive with Chloe, she lit up, sure they’d made up.

“I’ve got something to take care of,” Ian said evenly. “You two stay here.”

He started to walk off, but Chloe’s face drained of color. She grabbed the hem of his jacket, voice shaking.

“You’re going to see Andrea, aren’t you?” she barked.

Ian’s brow furrowed. He pried her fingers loose. “Chloe, don’t act so emotional.”

He didn’t deny it. That was answer enough. Chloe’s restraint shattered.

She lunged for his phone. But before she could even touch his jacket, he caught her wrist.

Sliding an arm around her shoulders, he steered her inside. “Stop acting out. You have work tomorrow.”

Chloe twisted free, hair wild, eyes blazing. “Ian, if you leave, I’ll kill myself!”

Without a word, Ian scooped her up in his arms and carried her through the door.

He couldn’t let her have a public meltdown–not with the press everywhere.

Mia, wide–eyed, hurried in behind them. She saw Ian set Chloe on the couch, but she leapt up and threw a pillow at him.

“Mia, stay with Chloe,” said Ian as he bent to pick up the pillow. No matter what happened, he was leaving tonight.

Chloe’s mind went blank. She slumped on the couch, clutching her head, letting out a strangled scream.

Mia hugged her tightly, trembling. “Ian!” she protested. “Chloe loves you so much, but you’re hurting her. Don’t you care at all?”

“Quiet,” Ian snapped, his gaze alone was a warning. “Watch her. If anything happens, I’ll hold you responsible.”

Mia wanted to fight, but she’d been under his authority her whole life. She dared not to.

Ian glanced at Chloe, weary, and turned to leave. But Chloe shoved Mia aside. She grabbed a knife from the table, and blocked his path.

The blade shook at Chloe’s throat. Ian froze.

“Give me your phone!” Chloe screamed, lips trembling. “Or I swear I’ll do it!”

She was like a gambler with everything to lose–desperate to see if she still mattered, and desperate to burn the last threads of hope.

Ian’s phone buzzed in his pocket, a low, maddening hum. Mia stood frozen, helpless.

She’d never seen Chloe like this before. She knew they had conflicts, but this was just way

Jan stared at the knife in Chloe’s hand. He stepped forward–but the blade trembled, and

“Your life is yours,” he said flatly, almost coldly. “If you want to end it, no one can stop

Chloe’s eyes clung to him, desperate. She opened her mouth, but no sound came.

too

crazy.

he stopped.

“Ian, what are you talking about?” Mia’s eyes widened. “C. you just stay? Chloe’s so upset!”

One sharp look from lan silenced her. Then, lan took another cautious step.

“Chloe,” he said slowly, “think about your parents. They raised you with everything they had. Frank still works at the factory. Jill just got

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Chapter 20

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out of the hospital, and Carl is preparing for SAT next year. If you end here, you hurt only them–not me, not anyone else.”

Chloe’s eyes closed, defeated. Ian seized the moment. He snatched the knife from her hand and pulled her tightly into his arms.

The knife clattered to the floor, and Chloe could feel her heart shatter with it.

She sagged against Ian, trembling, unable to cry or speak. He held her close–one hand at her waist, the other at the back of her head- and kissed her forehead gently.

“Stop overthinking, okay?” he comforted. “Take some rest. It’ll pass.”

Ignoring the constant tone of incoming texts, Ian carried Chloe upstairs. A cool towel wiped her face and hands, tangled hair smoothed, and then he led Mia out.

“I’m out tonight. So you stay with her,” he said. “Keep your voice down. No careless words.”

Mia nodded, closing the door softly. Chloe lay in the bed, utterly helpless. She couldn’t do anything but cry.

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