Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7

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Ian’s voice was firm. “If you’ve calmed down, then we can talk properly.” But Chloe was utterly devastated, barely able to move or respond.

She lay with her eyes closed, drained of all strength. Ian hesitated, then stood up to clean the bathroom.

They had argued before, but Chloe had never thrown things in anger. She never even waited for him to calm her down. Once she cooled off, she always came to him first to make things right.

Deep down, he believed, ‘She just loves me too much. I missed our third anniversary, and now she’s so upset that she won’t even accept the gift I brought to make it up to her.

After showering and changing into pajamas, Ian went downstairs and brought a bowl of broth back to the bedroom. He placed it on the nightstand and gently tried to wake Chloe. “Come on, sit up and have some of this.”

Chloe rolled over, turning her back to him. Ian sat on the edge of the bed, pulled her up firmly against his chest, and said, “Be good and finish the broth. Do that, and I’ll let go of you faking a faint and complaining to my mother.”

Chloe’s voice was hoarse, her expression numb, “Ian,” she asked quietly, “if I died, would you still think I was faking it?”

Before her family went bankrupt, she had indeed been willful and spoiled. But after three years of marriage to lan, she was no longer the same Irvine princess she once was.

Ian turned her to face him, his gaze steady and uncompromising. “It seems you’re still not calm enough,” he said, his voice low and controlled.

Chloe met his gaze, her eyes tired but unwavering. “I can’t stay calm when I’m with you,” she replied.

Ian released her and stood up. “If that’s how you feel, I’ll stay somewhere else for a few days,” he said flatly. “We can talk when you’re ready to be reasonable.”

With that, he turned and went to the walk–in closet to change. A few minutes later, he emerged, fully dressed and ready to leave.

Ian paused at the foot of the bed, standing in silence for a long moment. Seeing Chloe still lying there, motionless and drained of spirit, he turned and left without a backward glance, leaving her alone to drown in the weight of her despair.

**

The next morning, Mia came to see Chloe, who still hadn’t gotten out of bed. Feeling sorry for her but not daring to say too much, Mia helped her up, joined her for breakfast, and took her out for a walk.

Ian had always been strict with Mia. If she dared to gossip, Mia knew he wouldn’t hesitate to cut off her allowance.

The fresh air lifted Chloe’s spirits a little. Mia led her into the Hamilton luxury mall. “Chloe,” she asked cautiously, “have you said anything to lan about that woman yet?”

Chloe felt a wave of exhaustion at the very thought. “Mia, I’m in a terrible state right now,” she said quietly. “I need some time to clear my head and think straight.”

If I tell Mia that I want to divorce lan, her big mouth will make the whole Hamilton family know it in minutes. And if they find out, my parents will hear about it too. Mom’s still in the hospital. Lcan’t cause any more trouble right now, Chloe thought.

Mia quickly changed the subject. “It’s okay, Chloe. Let’s go shopping in our mall, You can pick out anything you want, and Ian will cover it.” Chloe nodded numbly. She had lost all interest in everything, let alone shopping.

When they reached the mall entrance, a security guard stepped forward and stopped them. “I’m sorry, ladies, but the mall has been privately booked for the day,” he explained politely but firmly. “It’s closed to the public.”

Mia was stunned. “Who in Kingsford would dare to book our family’s top luxury mall?” she demanded, her voice a mix of disbelief and

irritation.

Chloe gently pulled her back. “Just leave it, Mia. We can walk somewhere else. It’s all the same to me.” She had only come out for some fresh air. Shopping was the last thing on her mind.

But Mia refused to back down. “Go and find out who booked the entire mall,” she insisted, her tone growing more defiant. “I want to know who’s behind this.”

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Chapter 7

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The guard, taking in their elegant appearance, chose his words carefully. “I’m sorry, ladies, but we’re not authorized to share that information.”

Mia fixed the guards with a sharp glare. “This mall belongs to Hamilton Group,” she stated coldly. “I am Mia Hamilton. If you continue to block us, I will have you fired immediately.”

Intimidated, the guards quickly stepped aside. Seizing the opportunity, Mia pulled Chloe inside and guided her toward the elevator. “Come on, Chloe,” she urged, “let’s go up to the third floor. They have the best shoes there.”

As they stepped off the elevator, they froze. There was Ian, kneeling before a woman, helping her try on a pair of shoes.

The woman’s head was bowed, long hair obscuring half her face, but the gentle, attentive way Ian fastened her shoelaces left no room for doubt.

Chloe clutched her chest, her already pale face turning ashen. She knew the only woman Ian would ever kneel for is Andrea. ‘So when he said he’d stay somewhere else, it was just to stay with her.

In three years of marriage, Chloe had always been the one serving Ian, trying to please him. He had never done anything as considerate as helping her put on shoes. He hadn’t even once handed her a pair of slippers. The sight before her now was so shocking that it left her frozen, utterly stunned.

Mia rushed forward to steady Chloe, who was swaying unsteadily. Mia’s anger was so intense that her teeth were grinding together.

Chloe grabbed Mia’s arm and turned to leave. She couldn’t afford to make a scene, not with her parents still in the hospital, and not when she still felt compelled to protect lan’s reputation.

But Mia had finally reached her limit. ‘We saw this by accident. I didn’t go spreading rumors. He has no right to cut my allowance now!

She shoved Chloe’s hand away and swung her handbag hard toward the woman. “You bitch!” she screamed, charging straight at Andrea. Chloe rushed to hold her back.

Ian moved swiftly. Before Mia could get to Andrea, he pulled her into a fitting room and locked the door. He turned to Chloe, his eyes showing no guilt, only cold accusation. “Were you following me?”

Chloe’s lips trembled. Her gaze, filled with hurt, met his. “Ian, you’re supposed to be at work right now,” she said. Yet there he was, having booked the entire mall for his first love, even kneeling to help her put on the shoes.

Ian still offered no explanation. “Take Mia home first,” he said. He stood firmly in front of the fitting room door, deliberately blocking Chloe’s path.

Mia could no longer contain her fury. “Ian, get out of my way,” she said, her voice shaking with rage. “Let that home–wrecker come out and face me. Right now!”

Ian pushed Mia back firmly. “Enough,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. Then he shot her a sharp warning look. “Take Chloe home

now.”

Mia was seething with anger. “Ian, after everything Chloe has done for you, how can you treat her like this?” she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.

lan’s jaw tightened. Seeing that reasoning with Mia was pointless, he turned back to Chloe. “Chloe, leave with Mia now. We’ll discuss this tonight when I get home.”

Chloe’s vision was blurry with unshed tears, but she stared fixedly at Ian. “Since we’ve run into each other like this, let me meet her,” she said, her voice quiet but unwavering.

lan’s response was cold and immediate. “There’s no need for that,” he said, his tone leaving no room for discussion. He didn’t even glance toward the fitting room, his attention fixed solely on Chloe.

Chloe held her ground, “And what if I insist on meeting her?” she asked, looking directly into his eyes. “What will you do then?”

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