The Billion-Dollar Divorce (Ian and Chloe) novel Chapter 335

Chapter 335

May

Chapter 335

K

As the workday was winding down, Eric came looking for Chloe.

Chloe shot a nervous glance down the hallway on both sides and then quickly closed her office door.

She reminded Eric, “Eric, this is a hospital. Don’t just wander over here for no reason.”

Eric replied, “I just wanted to ask, have you thought about it?”

Chloe blinked, momentarily confused. “Thought about what?”

Eric said, “You know, ‘that night’?”

Chloe instinctively reached out to cover his mouth.

Eric couldn’t help but smirk at her reaction.

He pulled her hand down and held it. “I’ve booked a restaurant for tonight. There’s something I want to talk over with you.”

“Then see you at the restaurant,” Chloe said, quickly pulling her hand back.

A little after seven, Ian and Patrick showed up at an upscale spot downtown.

As they walked in through the glass doors, they caught sight of Eric and Chloe at a glance.

Chloe asked Eric what the specialty dish here was, and Eric replied, “The specialty dish is your favorite.”

Chloe clutched the menu a little tighter and felt her heart warm at his words.

Back when she was with Ian, it was always she who catered to his preferences.

It wasn’t just her. Her whole family had to cater to lan’s tastes, too,

It was such a small thing, barely worth mentioning.

But being valued like this just felt so good.

Not far away, Patrick shot Ian a subtle look. “Should we go over and say hi?”

Ian just stood there, watching Chloe look so moved. His hands clenched at his sides before he even realized.

“No need,” Ian muttered, turning abruptly and walking off ahead.

During the meal, Ian ate absent-mindedly, clearly distracted.

By the time he, Patrick, and Mia finished eating and came down from the second floor, Chloe and Eric were already gone.

Mia got into the car, while Patrick and Ian stayed outside, lighting up cigarettes.

Chapter 335

May

Patrick said. “Back when Chloe was with you, she was always bending over backwards for you. Now she finally gets to eat what she really likes.”

Ian looked seriously pissed, shooting Patrick a warning glare. “Just shut up if you don’t know what to say

Patrick asked, “Still not over her?”

Ian took a long drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling up and blurring his vision.

Not over her, but he could do nothing about it.

Patrick, bold as ever, stared right at Ian and joked, “Ian, I’ve read your fortune. You are born to be single.”

Ian just stared at Patrick in silence.

50

By the time the New Year holiday was over, spring was in the air, and everything was waking up again.

Everyone was caught up in their own routines, busy as ever.

Philip and Gloria invited Chloe and Ian over to their place.

During the visit, the Fosters learned that Chloe and Ian were childhood friends who’d nearly tied the knot. So, Gloria went all out, trying every trick in the book to get them back together.

Chloe, too shy to say no, let Gloria talk her into a few drinks.

She dodged Ian’s intense stare and snuck away to call Eric for a rescue.

When Ian found out, his mood hit rock bottom.

After leaving the Fosters’ place, the two of them stood by Ian’s car.

Ian’s eyes were tinged red at the corners as he spoke, every word heavy, “Chloe, is it really that hard for you to trust me?”

She’d had a few drinks, but it never even crossed his mind to take advantage of her. He just wanted to make sure she got home safe and had a good rest.

But she went behind his back and called Eric to pick her up instead.

Ian was clearly losing control of his emotions.

He said

Chloe, “Didn’t I promise I’d respect you and make sure you’re happy? I meant every word. So why do you still keep your guard up with me? Is Eric really so much more trustworthy than I? Is he really that much better?”

Chloe was a little buzzed, looking a bit lost.

She said to Ian, “Ian, I wish I didn’t have to keep my guard up around you, but my heart just won’t listen to

me.”

Those words knocked the wind out of lan, leaving him reeling.

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Chapter 335

Chloe continued, “You were the one who shattered my trust in you. Even if you’re being real now, it still feels like you’re faking it. I’m just scared you’ll end up hurting me all over again!”

Grown-ups drank till their faces went red, and talked till their eyes did, too.

Ian’s eyes were burning red at the corners, raw with emotion.

Chloe met his gaze and said, “Lies and betrayal kill trust. You broke mine once, and I’ll spend my whole life doubting you, never letting you in again.”

It was not just in this life, even in the old one.

She’d weighed it all, and just staying childhood friends with Ian was already her limit.

She could let the past go, care about him, and treat him like nothing ever happened.

But when it came to her personal life, Chloe wanted nothing to do with Ian.

Especially when alcohol was involved.

Eric’s car rolled up, and Chloe climbed in without so much as a glance back at Ian.

Ian stood frozen, watching as Eric drove her away, the car vanishing from his sight.

It hit him then. Trust really was that fragile.

Once there was a rift between them, there was no way to bridge the distance anymore.

He’d shattered Chloe’s trust with his own hands, and now, trying to rebuild it from those ruins felt almost impossible.

Even if it took five years, ten years, or a lifetime, he’d never give up on trying to fix it.

One day, he’d win Chloe’s acceptance and trust back.

Even if she never belonged to him again.

58

Two days later, at Hamilton Manor, Shane handed lan an invitation. “The Jordans are holding a reunion party this Friday night. You need to be there.”

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