Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 212

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Late at night, with no one else around, a surge of emotion crashed over lan.

He had no idea how much he’d drunk.

Lost in a haze, he couldn’t even tell if he was asleep, dreaming, or just painfully awake.

The next morning, Cora woke him up from the couch.

Ian sat up looking dead tired, rubbing his temples. “Cora, didn’t I already tell you-”

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Before Ian could finish, Cora rushed to explain, her voice full of concern, “Mr. Hamilton, Mrs. Hamilton was worried about you being alone. She asked me to come over and take care of your meals and everything.”

Ian didn’t respond–he just got up, clearly annoyed, and headed straight for the bathroom.

About ten minutes later, Ian came out of his room, looking fresh and collected after cleaning up.

Cora blocked his way gently. “Mr. Hamilton, breakfast is served. Mrs. Hamilton insisted I see you finish your meal before you head out.”

Ian paused for a moment, then, with a resigned sigh, turned and walked into the kitchen.

He sat there by himself at the table, and couldn’t help glancing toward Chloe’s seat.

His hand, the knuckles‘ standing out, clenched the spoon tightly as he forced himself to look away.

Staring at the bowl of porridge in front of him, Ian wasn’t the slightest bit hungry.

He couldn’t help remembering that afternoon he got home early from the office, only to find Chloe in the kitchen, dressed up and learning how to cook him dinner.

She was in her cartoon pajamas, messing around in the kitchen, happily humming to herself even as she clumsily tried to keep up with everything.

All of a sudden, some hot oil splattered onto the back of her hand. She gave it a quick rinse under cold water, barely reacted, and just jumped right back into cooking as if nothing had happened.

Ian sat slumped in the chair, and suddenly it was like all the strength had drained from his body–even holding onto his spoon felt impossible.

With a dull clink, the spoon slipped onto the table, then tumbled off and hit the floor with a brittle crash, yanking lan out of his thoughts,

He glanced down to see flecks of porridge spattered across his white shirt, and with a weary sigh, lan got up to change.

In the walk–in closet, Jan opened a drawer and absentmindedly took out a random pair of cufflinks. That triggered a memory–he suddenly thought of the diamond cufflinks Chloe had given him for their second

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Chapter 212

wedding anniversary.

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He immediately put down what he was holding and started searching intently through the drawers, desperately trying to find Chloe’s gift.

Ten minutes passed; growing frustrated, Ian finally called Cora in to help him look.

Cora stood at the closet doorway, looking a bit exasperated. “Mr. Hamilton, ever since you got married, only you and Chloe ever go into the master bedroom. She’s always kept things organized herself. Those cufflinks? I really wouldn’t know. Maybe just give Chloe a call and ask her?”

Ian paused, then after a moment’s hesitation, dialed Chloe’s number.

Chloe’s voice sounded through the receiver, so familiar it made Ian’s chest ache; without thinking, his own voice softened. ‘Why is it that just hearing her voice makes me want to be gentle,‘ Ian mused.

“Hey, Chloe. Remember when you gave me those cufflinks for our anniversary? Do you know which drawer you put them in?”

Chloe’s voice was icy, cutting through the line. “You’re mistaken–I never gave you anything like that.”

Ian’s reply caught in his throat, but before he could say a word, the call was already ended.

His steps faltered; he reached out to the closet door for support.

He muttered to himself, “She’s just upset. That gift has to be here… I know it is.”

Cora watched Ian tearing through the drawers in a panic, her hands twisting together as she stood there, not knowing how she could possibly help.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, so Cora rushed out to get it.

Seeing Mia walk in, Cora didn’t even hesitate; she pleaded, “Mia, can you please talk to him? He’s really not himself.”

Cora explained the whole situation to Mia in a worried whisper, and Mia stepped into the closet to see what was going on.

The walk–in closet was a disaster zone, jewelry and trinkets strewn everywhere across the floor. Mia stepped in and quickly stopped Ian from making the mess any worse.

“Tan, stop looking,” Mia said, letting out a sigh. “Those cufflinks Chloe gave you–she got rid of them ages ago.”

Ian froze in place, his hand still halfway in the drawer.

He stared at Mia, his gaze flickering with disbelief.

“Gone? What do you mean gone?” lan pressed, voice tight.

Mia stared at Jan’s worn–out face and bloodshot eyes, feeling her heart ache so much that she had to look away, unable to watch him break down like this.

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Chapter 212

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Still, she spoke bluntly, not hiding anything. “Back in your newlywed home, after Chloe torched every single gift you gave her, she immediately got in touch with a secondhand shop and sold off every present she ever bought for you.”

Ian staggered backward, only stopping when he crashed hard against the closet door with a thud.

‘That’s impossible. Chloe loved me–she could never do something so heartless,‘ Ian insisted, voice trembling as he desperately tried to deny it.

All of a sudden, Ian started tearing through every drawer and closet door like a man possessed, searching in a frantic, desperate frenzy.

Mia took in every second of Ian’s collapse, her heart breaking, but there was just nothing she could do to help.

Eyes rimmed red, Mia choked out, “Ian, I’m serious–she sold it all. There’s nothing left. Not a single thing.”

Ian whipped his head around to her, voice trembling with denial. “Impossible!”

Mia stepped forward again, trying to stop him. “Ian, please–get a grip! Those gifts are gone forever, just like Chloe. No matter how hard you look, you’ll never get any of it back.”

That was the breaking point–Ian’s emotions shattered, leaving him completely undone.

Mia was just a girl; no matter how hard she tried, there was nothing she could do to stop him. All she could do was watch, powerless, as Ian tore through the mess in a frantic, hopeless search.

Mia tried to bring him to his senses. “Ian, Chloe put so much thought into picking out those diamond cufflinks for you, but you never even wore them once. Did you ever think how much that must have hurt her?”

“You never appreciated her when she was here. Now it’s too late, Ian–snap out of it!” Mia pleaded, her voice breaking.

Ian snapped, “Shut up!”

His eyes were tinged red, but his voice was resolute. “Chloe’s just being stubborn right now–she’s upset with me, that’s all. She’ll come back, you’ll see.”

Mia watched Ian fall apart–her heart ached for him, but she was helpless.

“You missed Grandpa’s call from the old manor yesterday,” Mia said quietly. “Edward asked me to tell you, you have to come home tonight, no matter what.”

Before leaving, Mia reminded Cora, “Look after my brother for me, okay?”

At ten in the morning, lan arrived at the office.

Mitchell knocked and stepped into the office, immediately sensing the suffocating tension in the air.

Ian sat slumped in his chair, dressed in a dark suit, looking utterly exhausted.

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Chapter 212

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He leaned back, head resting against the chair, eyes closed, with no one able to guess what was running through his mind.

Mitchell set the documents down on the desk with extra care, barely making a sound.

He stood there, hands clasped respectfully, and forced himself to speak. “Mr. Hamilton, our people have confirmed–Sir Julian really is hurt.”

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