Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 70

Chapter 70

Ian’s gaze flicked to Andrea.

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Her face hardened, and she scolded Clint sharply. “Clint, how many times have I told you? That’s Uncle Ian- you can’t go around calling people whatever you want.”

Clint’s lower lip trembled, then he burst into tears. “No! I want Uncle Ian to be my dad!”

Laura, standing off to the side, pointed a finger at Andrea, her voice sharp with venom. “I slaved to put you through college, and you vanished for six years–no calls, no letters. Now you waltz back with a kid, a burden we’re supposed to swallow, and drag our name through the mud. What’s wrong with a child wanting a father? If you’re so useless at giving him real happiness, why did you even have him?”

Andrea’s face drained of all color. She stumbled backward, wrapping her arms tightly around her head as if bracing for a blow.

“Mom, please–stop yelling at me! I’m begging you!”

Ian’s expression was grim. He crossed the room, steadying Andrea and guiding her to the living room couch.

Seeing that, Laura wasted no time. She took Clint’s hand, her tone softening for the boy. “Come on, kiddo— Grandma’s taking you to the supermarket. We’ll pick out a new toy, yeah?”

Once they were gone, Ian fetched a glass of water and handed it to Andrea.

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She sniffled, her voice barely a whisper as she met his gaze. “I’m sorry, Ian… I never meant to drag you into this mess.”

Ian sat across from her, then pulled a bank card from his wallet and set it on the coffee table between them.

Leaning forward, he said, “Andrea, you don’t have to carry this alone anymore. Take this–buy a nicer place. There’ll be more than enough left for you and Clint to live the life you deserve.”

Andrea’s gaze dropped to the card. A flood of thoughts raced through her mind–she knew the money on that card was more than she’d ever dreamed of.

But she’d already made up her mind.

She didn’t want his cash; what she craved were the connections, the status, the power that came with being

his.

The more he tried to “make amends” with money, the firmer her refusal would be.

Let guilt eat at him. Let him feel he owed her.

Once he divorced Chloe, she’d be Mrs. Hamilton–out in the open, head held high, the true lady of Kingsford’s most elite family.

Brushing away tears that looked like embarrassment, she said softly, “Ian, Clint and I have already caused you

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Chapter 70

so much trouble… If I took your money now, I’d have no self–respect left. I can’t do that”

lan’s expression was unreadable. “So if it’s not money you want, what do you want?”

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ix years ago, whether Edward had forced her or not, one fact remained undisputed: Andrea took two million. dollars from Edward–and she did it without ever saying a word to fan.

Even with all the proof of her suffering these past years, lan knew he needed to test her.

His question hit Andrea like a punch. Her legs wobbled, and guilt flashed in her wide eyes as she raised her voice, feigning hurt.

“lan, what are you even saying?”

lan stood, his stance rigid. “If my mom hadn’t brought up the two million, how long were you planning to keep me in the dark?”

Andrea’s gaze darted nervously.

She stumbled over to him, panic etched into her face. “Ian, I explained this! Your grandfather forced me- swear it! I never told you because I didn’t want you fighting with him over me!”

Ian’s voice was cold, sharp as a blade. “Andrea, cut the act. Are you here for my money… or is there something else?”

He emphasized “else,” the implication hanging heavy in the air.

“I don’t want anything!” she shot back immediately.

Ian narrowed his eyes. “You sure about that?”

Andrea lifted her chin, defiant–as if daring him to doubt her. “Of course I am!”

She locked eyes with him, her voice steady. “If you think I came back for your money, don’t worry. I can’t just reach into your pocket and take it, even if I wanted to. And I swear–I’ll never take another dime from you.”

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. “And if you think I came for you… stop. Six years ago, 1 wasn’t good enough for you. Now? I’m even less so–I know my place.”

She took a shaky breath, her tone softening into something like resignation. “We’ve both moved on. You’re married to Chloe–elegant, beautiful, everything I’m not. I can’t hold a candle to her.

“I’ve been married, lost a husband, got a kid. All I want now is for my son to have a good life. That’s my only dream–just getting him grown up safe. I’m done chasing fairy tales.”

A bitter laugh escaped her. “I’m out here scrambling to pay rent, keep the lights on, get Clint to school, and take care of Mom. I don’t have time or energy for anyone else’s drama. I’m just… trying to survive.”

As she spoke, her voice cracked. Tears spilled over, streaming down her cheeks. She wiped them away, but they kept coming.

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Chapter 70

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“lan, you should tell Chloe about Clint,” she said, her words trembling. “Tell her who he really is. Just… forget 1 ever saved your life back then. Think of all this misery I’m in as my karma.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, raw with fake despair. “If one day Clint and I get tossed aside–if your grandfather dumps us in some foreign city, or strands us somewhere, or we just disappear… don’t trouble yourself. Our lives are already beyond saving. Maybe death would be the only peace we’ll ever get.”

lan’s expression softened. The storm in his eyes faded, replaced by something like regret.

He walked to Andrea, his voice gentle now. “I made you a promise, Andrea. I’ll keep it. Just focus on Clint. If you need anything–anything at all–call me.”

Without another word, Ian turned and walked out.

Even after six years of hell, even with her world shattered, Andrea seemed still the same honest, good–hearted woman he remembered. Some things seemed never to change.

Ian shook his head, realizing he’d been overthinking it all along.

For the next few weeks, Andrea kept her head down and played it safe, staying out of trouble.

But beneath that calm surface, she ached to break into the wealthy elite and get closer to Ian–so she went all in on livestreaming, chasing followers like her life depended on it, and didn’t hesitate to max out her credit cards on high–end cosmetic treatments just to keep up.

Meanwhile, Chloe, halfway across the world in Tecnovia, threw herself into her career, shutting out anything and anyone that might weigh her down.

Before they knew it, November rolled around.

On the first crisp day of the month, Ian headed back to Hamilton Manor for dinner with his elders.

Edward set down his glass, his tone matter–of–fact. “Ian, the contract between Hamilton Group and Grand Horizon Group is finalized. I’ve asked Mr. Quigley to handle all your divorce paperwork–if something needs your input, deal with him directly.”

Ian set his fork down, his face hardening. “Grandpa, I told you before–nobody gets to decide what happens in my marriage but me.”

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