The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 302

Chapter 302

Chapter 302

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It was deep into the night, somewhere on the remote outskirts. Ian clung to Chloe, but a chill still seeped through his entire body. The agony of losing her again was almost enough to break him.

He struggled to suppress his emotions, forcing himself to loosen his grip on Chloe. He bent over, gazing at Chloe in a daze.

Then his lips trembled, his eyes red-rimmed, as he struggled to force the words out. “Chloe, don’t cry. I respect your decision.” His voice was hoarse and barely audible.

He’d say yes to anything she asked. He couldn’t do anything else. All he could do now was go back to being just her friend from childhood.

At least she’d still be part of his world, and he’d still get to see her sometimes. At least he’d still have some kind of role in her life, standing by her side.

He’d spend his whole life trying to prove himself to her. He truly realized how wrong he’d been, and how much he loved her.

Ian looked at Chloe and said softly, “If it means you’ll be happy, I’ll do anything.”

Chloe slowly stopped crying, and her body gradually relaxed. This time, she chose to trust him. Trying her best to sound gentle, Chloe said to Ian, “Ian, I really hope that we can all live well, and everyone can be happy.”

Ian pressed his lips together and mustered all his strength to give a quiet “Yeah.”

Meeting each other’s gaze, they both smiled. Even as they smiled at each other, their hearts were tangled with different emotions. But the same tears shimmered in their eyes.

Two hours later, Chloe was dropped safely off at her front door. She unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Ian. “Drive safe on your way back, okay?”

Ian stared blankly as Chloe got out. It felt like something was squeezing his heart so tight he could barely breathe. His eyes were red and brimming with tears, but he still managed a painful and self-mocking smile.

Ian thought, ‘Guess this isn’t the worst thing. At least I’m still her Ian. She still cared enough to remind me to drive safely.

The moment Chloe stepped inside, she saw her parents waiting for her in the living room, looking completely worn out. Her brother Carl was sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep.

Chloe’s heart warmed, and a pang of guilt hit her. “Mom, Dad, why are you still up?” Then she went over and nudged Carl awake.

Carl mumbled, “Chloe, you’re finally back.” Half-asleep, he handed her a cup of warm milk he’d been holding close to his chest, then shuffled off to bed.

Chloe was really moved.

Chapter 302

Jill said with concern. “You must be starving after being out so late. Drink some milk to fill your stomach a bit. I’ll ask your dad to warm up some food for you.”

Chloe quickly stopped them. “Dad, Mom, don’t worry about it. I’ve already eaten.”

Ian knew about her low blood sugar, so when they passed by the dining area, he grabbed some food and put it in his pocket. On the way back, he gave it to her, and she had a few bites.

Frank asked, “Chloe, what was up with Ian tonight? Did he give you a hard time?”

Chloe shook her head. “Don’t worry, Mom, Dad. He just had some questions he wanted to clear up with me. Everything’s fine now.”

Jill couldn’t help but sigh. “Who was that woman looking for lan tonight? She totally ruined what should’ve been a nice birthday.”

Chloe said with a smile, “It’s okay, Mom. Could you make me a birthday cake tomorrow, please?”

Chloe sent her parents off to bed, then went back to her own room. It was filled with birthday presents, and her eyes instantly landed on the one from Ian. It was set apart by her bed, probably placed there by Carl.

Chloe unwrapped the package and found three individually wrapped gift boxes inside. She opened each box one after another.

Inside the first box was Jill’s emerald jewelry. The second box held a platinum diamond necklace, with her last name engraved on the back. The third box contained a pink diamond ring, the very one Ian had used to propose to her.

Chloe sat quietly on the edge of her bed, staring at the three items in front of her. She’d already auctioned off Jill’s emerald jewelry, and Ian had paid a fortune to buy it back. There was no way she could accept it.

The diamond necklace was a symbol of love, a confession in itself. She couldn’t accept that, either. And as for that insanely expensive pink diamond ring, there was simply no way she could take it.

Even though she and Ian had finally cleared the air tonight and were on the same page, there was no way she could keep any of these things. She’d have to figure out when to give them back to Ian.

Even though the scars lan left on her heart were still there, woven into her life, she knew she couldn’t just forget them.

Their relationship was a broken mirror, shattered beyond repair. She and Ian knew they could never reclaim their past. But in her heart, she would try her best to treat Ian the same as Patrick.

She was ready to let him go, and in doing so, finally set herself free, too. She wanted to live her best life, and she truly hoped he could find his own happiness as well.

Now that everything she’d been bottling up finally had an answer. Chloe felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her chest. That night, she slept like a baby for the first time in ages.

Chapter 302

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It was almost four in the morning when lan finally made it back to Blue Cove Residences. To his surprise, Patrick was parked at his front door like some kind of watchdog.

As soon as Patrick saw lan, he perked up and said, “Hey, why are you by yourself? Where’s Chloe? Did you guys blow up again? She shot you down, huh?”

Jan shot Patrick a death glare.

Patrick just stood there, speechless.

Ian opened the door and went inside, leaving Patrick outside. Then he stood in the entryway, exhausted to the bone, leaning against the shoe cabinet. He just zoned out there for what felt like ages.

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