Marriage Lies and a Dangerous Obsession novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97

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The sudden ring of the phone in the bedroom snapped lan out of his thoughts.

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It was Miranda calling, asking him to come with Chloe to The Old Hamilton Manor for the reunion dinner that evening.

Ian refused.

He said that from now on, he and Chloe would spend New Year’s Eve at the Irvine family’s place, and only return to The Old Hamilton Manor on New Year’s Day.

Miranda didn’t object.

By noon, the three members of the Irvine family were in the kitchen putting together their New Year’s Eve dinner when Chloe came home.

Carl grabbed the black lockbox. “Sis, did you really redeem the jewelry?”

Jill asked her son to put the jewelry in her room.

She led Chloe into the dining room. “Chloe, be straight with me–how did you manage to get that jewelry back?”

The money from selling the jewelry was still in Jill’s hands, and she was well aware that Chloe didn’t have any cash on her.

Chloe reassured her parents, “Dad, Mom, Ian paid a high price to get the jewelry back.”

She kept quiet about the fact that Ian had already redeemed the jewelry days ago.

And she definitely didn’t mention how she’d forced herself to swallow her pride, push through her feelings, and do whatever it took–even the most degrading things–to get the jewelry back from Ian.

Jill and Frank exchanged a glance and let the topic drop.

Later that afternoon, Chloe was helping out in the kitchen, steaming rice cakes, when Ian showed up at the Irvine family’s place, carrying a medical kit.

When Carl saw Ian, he stormed off to his room, clearly pissed.

Jill and Frank looked pretty annoyed, but they didn’t kick him out either.

Ian was always so respectful and courteous around Chloe’s parents. “Dad, Mom, Happy New Year!”

Jill just nodded and turned to head back into the kitchen.

Frank muttered a quiet “Mm” and set the steamed buns out on the table to cool.

Before Ian could say anything, Chloe pulled him away into the room.

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Chapter 97

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It was New Year’s Eve, and she didn’t want to add any stress for her family.

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After tending to lan’s wound, Chloe packed up the medical kit. “You should go and explain things to The Hamilton elders. My mom just got out of the hospital, and I want to spend New Year’s with my family.”

Ian buttoned up his shirt with effortless grace. “I already told them. We’re spending tonight here.”

Chloe raised an eyebrow, a bit thrown. “You’re really not worried your dad and your grandpa will get pissed?”

lan reached out, smoothing Chloe’s hair away from her face with easy familiarity. “Forget about them. They’re not important right now.”

Chloe said nothing, just turned around and walked out of the room.

She’d known from the start–he hadn’t just come by for a quick bandage job.

Chloe headed into the kitchen to help her parents, while Ian made his way into Carl’s room.

Carl was hunched over his desk, tinkering with a computer motherboard. When he saw Ian walk in, he immediately shoved his headphones on.

Ian glanced at what Carl was working on, hooked a finger under his headphones and pulled them off. “That problem’s probably because your LED isn’t rated for the voltage. Swap it out and try again.”

Carl shot up from his chair. “Who asked you?”

Ian reminded him, “Show some respect. Call me your brother–in–law.”

Carl clenched his fists. “You’re not my brother–in–law! You’re just some bastard messing with my sister!”

Ian grabbed Carl’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to mess up your wrist last time. So, come on—what do so you’ll stop being mad?”

Carl gritted his teeth. “Let me break your hand, and we’ll call it even!”

Ian held out his left hand to Carl. “I said it, I mean it. A man keeps his word.”

Carl didn’t hold back. “You brought this on yourself!”

As soon as Carl said it, the dull pop of bone echoed through the room as he wrenched Ian’s hand.

Ian let out a stifled groan of pain. Carl, meanwhile, finally felt satisfied.

you

want

Ian glanced at Chloe standing in the doorway, clenching his jaw against the pain as he walked toward her.

He said, “I’ve settled my debt to Carl. Can we move on now?”

Chloe ignored his question. “There’s a private orthopedic clinic downstairs. I’ll take you to get an X–ray and have your wrist reset.”

All the resentment and humiliation Chloe and her family had suffered because of Ian–she knew she’d never

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Chapter 97

truly be able to let it go.

Over an hour later, Chloe and Ian walked out of the hospital.

Chloe urged lan to head back to The Old Hamilton Manor.

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Ian’s expression turned grim. “Chloe, we’re married. If we spend New Year’s Eve apart, how am I supposed to explain that to The Hamilton elders?”

Chloe wanted to snap back at him, but thought better of it. Instead, she just brought Ian back home with her to the Irvine family’s place.

The Irvines did their best to steer clear of any awkward topics, hoping to keep the holiday warm and drama- free.

Surprisingly, everyone made it through the reunion dinner in one piece—no fights, no drama, just food and family.

By the time Chloe and Ian left the Irvine family’s place, it was already past eight in the evening.

Outside the front gate, Ian casually reached over and took Chloe’s hand.

He glanced at her and said, “Things with Carl are settled, and the jewelry’s back with you. How about we just wipe the slate clean and leave the past in the past?”

Chloe just nodded halfheartedly. “Sure.”

In the end, whatever happened–no matter how hard to let go–would all pass with time.

But she wasn’t going to let anyone or anything drain her from the inside ever again.

From now on, she was determined to live in the sunlight, fiercely vibrant, unapologetically bright.

Ian looked at Chloe, his gaze filled with unfathomable tenderness. “We just finished dinner. Mind if I walk with you

for a while?”

Chloe hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Ian took her hand, and they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk together.

He was tall and lean, dressed in a dark suit with a long black overcoat–looking sharp, impossibly refined, and every bit the arrogant heartthrob out of a billionaire romance.

Chloe rocked a scarlet top under a long beige coat.

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