The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 322

Chapter 322

Chapter 322

Patrick watched Ian’s reaction and didn’t say a word for ages.

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Eric’s gaze toward Chloe was anything but innocent. Patrick could see it, others could see it, and lan should be able to see it most of all.

But Chloe had been in love with Ian for so many years, insisting she’d only marry him. Patrick still found it hard to believe.

Patrick said, “Ian, be honest with me. When you and Chloe called off your wedding, whose fault was it?”

When lan spoke again, his voice was heavy with exhaustion.

He said, “It was my fault.”

Patrick asked, “You said tonight you have someone you love. Is it Andrea?”

Patrick said, “So you really called off your engagement with Chloe because of that woman!”

Ian’s mind was a mess. He didn’t want to explain anymore.

When he and Chloe called off their wedding, everyone thought he was the one who didn’t want her.

But in reality, he was the one who got left behind.

Ian was feeling seriously upset inside.

He said to Patrick, “Go on, head back. Don’t keep Mia waiting.”

Patrick could clearly sense that something was off with Ian.

But since lan didn’t want to talk, Patrick just let it go.

Patrick warned Ian, “Ian, you waited way too long to give Chloe an answer. If you still want a shot with her, you need to step up and make a move. Otherwise, trust me, you’ll regret it someday.”

With that, Patrick got in his car and drove off.

Late into the night, Ian wandered restlessly in front of the living room’s floor-to-ceiling windows, empty wine bottles lying around on the coffee table behind him.

He’d been drowning in regret for ages.

But now, none of it mattered. It was all too late.

Ever since he agreed to step back and just be Chloe’s childhood friend again, he’d been mentally preparing himself, waiting for the day he’d have to face reality.

11:43 Wed, May 13

Chapter 322

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Seeing the way Eric looked at Chloe, with all that obvious love in his eyes, Ian just couldn’t keep his cool. Inside, he was a total mess.

Luckily, Chloe didn’t have feelings for Eric.

Luckily, she hadn’t given Eric any kind of response.

If she had, Ian honestly had no idea what he might’ve done.

Ian kept gripping his phone, picking it up and putting it down again and again, unable to make up his mind.

After going back and forth for ages, he finally worked up the nerve to send Chloe a message.

Ian: [Are you still awake?]

On the other end, Chloe saw Ian’s message but didn’t reply.

Eric had made his feelings so obvious tonight, and Patrick, with his keen eye, asked her point-blank. That said it all.

Ian must’ve noticed, too.

He was either testing her or just looking for answers.

But either way, she didn’t owe him an explanation.

Ian spent ages agonizing over Chloe’s silence. Frustrated, he took a long swig of red wine, trying to drown out the restless feeling in his chest.

He kept fighting the urge, but in the end, he just couldn’t hold back. He dialed Chloe’s number again.

Chloe paused for a moment when she saw Ian calling, then decisively hit decline.

That was her stance.

Ian should know exactly what that meant.

After Chloe hung up just a few seconds into the call, Ian couldn’t keep his cool anymore.

He grabbed his suit jacket from the couch, spun around, and rushed out the door.

Ian floored it all the way to Chloe’s apartment complex.

Standing outside Chloe’s apartment, Ian lifted his hand to ring the bell, then stopped dead, frozen mid- motion.

He was breathing hard, chest heaving with every uneven breath.

After wrestling with himself for what felt like forever, Ian finally let his hand fall, unable to go through with it.

He turned and leaned his back against Chloe’s front door, shutting his eyes gently.

11:43 Wed, May 13 ♫

Chapter 322

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He tipped his head up, throat working as his Adam’s apple moved restlessly, betraying just how tense he was.

Chloe was probably asleep by now.

Even if she wasn’t, he had no business asking her anything.

He’d promised her he’d respect whatever she decided and let her be happy.

Even if she really ended up with Eric, all he could do was wish her well.

He couldn’t let himself do something reckless.

He couldn’t let Chloe be disappointed in him again.

Ian had no idea how he even made it down the stairs.

He sat in his car, chain-smoking one cigarette after another until the pack was empty. Finally, exhausted, he collapsed against the steering wheel, his heart throbbing with a dull ache.

*****

The next morning, Mia invited Chloe to go shopping.

They were strolling down the business street in downtown Kingsford.

Mia linked arms with Chloe, and the two of them took their time, checking out the shops along the way.

Mia hooked her arm through Chloe’s and said, “Chloe, there were so many people last night, I didn’t really get to catch up with you. How about we hit up one of those viral restaurants for lunch?”

Chloe was free today anyway, so she smiled and agreed, “Lunch is on me.”

As it happened, she had a few things she wanted to ask Mia, too.

“Is that Renee?” Mia suddenly blurted out.

She spotted Renee heading straight for a beauty salon with a group of people.

That was when it hit Mia. Andrea’s aunt owned a beauty salon right on this street.

Mia lit up, grabbing Chloe’s arm. “Chloe, something juicy is about to go down! Hurry, let’s not miss the show!”

Chloe was completely clueless, but Mia just dragged her straight across the street before she could even ask what was happening.

At the entrance of Velvet Beauty, Mia craned her neck, ready to sneak inside, but Chloe quickly yanked her back.

The two of them found a spot to hide and secretly spied on the scene, eager to see what would happen next.

It was just past ten in the morning, and the salon was already buzzing with customers.

11:43 Wed, May 13 J

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