Chapter 210
Chloe left The Old Irvine House.
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The words she said to lan before leaving wrapped around his heart, tight as a vice, refusing to let go.
Ian looked around the living room, his head filled with memories of all the little moments he’d spent with the
Irvines.
That kind of warmth–he’d never once found it with the Hamiltons.
Cold moonlight poured through the floor–to–ceiling windows, and Ian’s tears shimmered in its pale light.
He knew deep down–this mess between him and Chloe was all on him.
They’d been inseparable since childhood; through all these years, she’d always been his wife.
No matter what the cost, he would do whatever it takes to win her back. Not just to have her by his side, but to make her truly want to come home to him.
No matter what, they would find their way back to how things were in the beginning.
Early the next morning, at the Irvine family home.
Chloe was having breakfast with her family when Arthur showed up, wearing his pajamas and slippers, knocking on the door before wandering in.
Chloe set down her fork and gave Arthur a once–over. “Mr. Logan, what’s with this getup?”
Arthur pointed toward the house next door. “Chloe, I’ve moved in right next to you. Looks like we’re neighbors again–aren’t you happy?”
‘Are you kidding me?‘ Chloe thought, totally stunned for a moment.
So that explains why she’d run into Arthur so late in the neighborhood on Andrea’s birthday.
Turns out he’d moved in right next door–just her luck.
‘Must be nice being rich. You can just do whatever you feel like, Chloe couldn’t help but roll her eyes.
Jill jumped up and grabbed a plate and some silverware for Arthur. “Mr. Logan, you don’t have any relatives around here to look after you, so having you as our neighbor is perfect. If you ever feel like skipping out on cooking, just swing by and eat with us.”
Carl pulled a chair out for Arthur in a hurry. “Mom’s got it right–things are way more lively with a crowd. Arthur, grab a seat!”
Arthur went ahead and sat down like he owned the place, joining right in–with lots of smiles and laughter—
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Chapter 210
as the Irvines enjoyed breakfast together.
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Carl looked at Jill. “Mom, my SATs are only a week away. When Chloe took hers, you put on that cheongsam to cheer her on. You gotta do the same for me–no backing out!”
Jill laughed and shook her head. “I was a lot younger back when Chloe did her exams. Now? At my age, that dress wouldn’t be so flattering anymore.”
Carl teased, “Well, in that case, let Dad wear it!”
Frank just about dropped his bowl, totally floored.
Chloe couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Forget Dad–Arthur’s tall, handsome, and built like a model. If anyone’s gonna strut his stuff in that cheongsam, it’s him!”
Arthur, bun clamped in his teeth and a cup of soy milk in his hand, shot Chloe a deadpan glare, as if to say, ‘Seriously? Me?‘
Carl wiped his mouth and grinned. “Chloe, how about this? Mom wears red on the first day for a lucky start, Arthur goes green on the second for smooth sailing, and you wear yellow on the third for a guaranteed win!”
Chloe nodded seriously. “That’s a great idea! Mom, pick out a few cheongsams with high slits and five–button closures–let Arthur choose first.”
Arthur suddenly realized he’d picked the worst possible time to crash their breakfast.
He grabbed Chloe’s arm and gave it a little shake. “Chloe, how about I just be your driver instead?”
Chloe shook her head with a grin. “Come on, show some ride–or–die spirit for your friends! I’m counting on you.”
Arthur was left speechless.
Chloe gave Arthur a reassuring pat on the shoulder, then gathered her things and headed off to work.
At nine in the morning, Chloe walked into Eric’s office.
Eric let out a quiet sigh of relief when he saw her. “Seeing you like this, I can finally relax.”
Chloe gave him a relaxed smile. “Eric, I told you–I’ve moved on.”
Eric heaved a sigh. “Andrea always seemed innocent enough, but I guess she’s a real piece of work.”
At Andrea’s name, Chloe couldn’t help but make a face.
Andrea got thrown in jail, with lan personally making sure she got locked up. Guess karma caught up with
her.
Eric shook his head, “Mr. Hamilton owns the whole business scene, but when it comes to Andrea, it’s like his brain just short–circuits. To dump you for a woman like her? Man, he really messed up.”
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Chapter 210
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Chloe replied, “Ian wasn’t clueless, and it wasn’t just some moment where he lost his mind. He actually knew exactly what he was doing all along.”
Catching Eric’s puzzled look, Chloe said quietly, “It’s because I loved him too much–he took it for granted and thought nothing could shake him. That’s why he had so much confidence.”
He was dead sure I was head over heels for him, convinced I couldn’t walk away.
So he figured that no matter what he did, I’d always forgive him.
Chloe turned to Eric with a smirk. “Eric, I’m all about my career now. Honestly, money’s the only thing I’m falling for these days.”
Only after dealing with the mess of that marriage did she really understand.
Turns out, love’s just one of life’s options–it’s not mandatory or anything.
She could be just fine–whole, even–on her own.
Eric shot Chloe an admiring glance. “Take a few days to recharge, then get ready to dive into the September info column work.”
Eric was honestly impressed–he’d never seen a woman act so decisively, cutting ties without hesitation like Chloe just did.
After leaving Eric’s office, Chloe headed straight to the outpatient clinic.
Around eleven in the morning, Philip brought Simon in for a follow–up appointment. Once they were done, Simon just kept hanging around Chloe, refusing to leave her side.
Philip, worried Simon might get in the way of Chloe’s work, said, “Dr. Irvine, if you don’t have any plans for lunch, I’ll take Simon to the restaurant and wait for you there.”
Chloe actually had something she wanted to talk to Philip about, so she agreed right away.
After finishing her shift at noon, Chloe made her way to the restaurant.
While they waited for the food, Philip stepped outside to take a phone call.
Chloe scooped Simon up and settled him on her lap.
Chloe smiled at Simon and said, “Simon, since you’re my godson now, how about you start calling me godmother, okay?”
She hadn’t said no to Simon calling her “Mom” before, mostly because his autism made him super withdrawn -he barely talked and avoided everyone except her. To help him warm up to people, she just went with it for
a while.
But now that Simon’s condition was much better, she figured it was time to fix how he addressed her.
If she didn’t, not only would Philip’s future wife probably get the wrong idea, but trying to get Simon to
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