Love's New Bloom by Simone Hastings

Chapter 69 Open Provocation

Faced with Ian’s apology and confession, Erin’s heart was thrown into chaos. She supported his body, preventing him from getting any closer.

The anxiety and hesitation in her eyes boosted lan’s confidence. He continued, “Erin, please just give me one last chance to make amends! I swear, I don’t even love Tracy!”

Recalling his initial betrayal, Erin’s heart ached. She asked tearfully, “If you don’t love her, why did you choose to betray me, our love, and our marriage?”

Ian grabbed her shoulders with both hands tightly and spoke urgently, “Don’t you understand? I’d only gone to her in the first place because all I had been thinking about at that time was giving you a taste of your own medicine! You kept resisting and rejecting me, so I thought you didn’t love nor trust me!”

“You thought I didn’t love you? That I didn’t trust you?” Erin’s smile was pale and tired. “If I didn’t love you, would I have married you? If I didn’t trust you, would I have given you everything I had then for you to start your own business?”

Thinking about the past, Ian’s eyes filled with tears. He sighed. “Of course, I know that now. It’s just–please just think of everything as my fault!”

Erin watched as the man she once loved admitted to his faults. Deep down, part of her had begun to soften a little.

Ian looked at her titled face under the dim light. She was so beautiful, so delicate. Instinctively, he tugged her chin toward himself and angled his face to kiss her.

Erin was still hesitating when her phone rang. It was Chandler!

Shocked, she pushed Ian away. The atmosphere earlier had gotten out of control. She almost forgave lan! She blamed and cursed herself for being soft–hearted.

Walking toward the dressing table, she grabbed her handbag and walked directly into the bathroom, locking the door behind

her.

Ian watched her coldly. He knew that Chandler must have called her.

In the bathroom, Erin pressed the answer button with some trepidation.

in your bedroom,

as she heard his icy voice. How did he know that Ian

“You sent someone

between his fingers. The smoky halo in the compartment he inhabited made his gaze seem dreamlike and hazy. He looked in the direction of Erin’s window on the floor at which she was located, all the while speaking through thinned

I refuse to be! Whoever you choose to love in the future is none of my business. I do not want nor wish to be someone else’s replacement!” Thinking

young girl!”

brow when he replied. “Replacement? Whose replacement

deeply. “Quit pretending. Claire loves Matthew, and you love Claire. You couldn’t have her, so you

her replacement. There. I’ve said it. Are you happy now? Admit it. If you’re a fucking man, admit it—

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you, and it does not have to do with any other woman,

alright? I’m

later, and I’ll upload your photo

that she hurled

outside the door. “Erin,

She picked it up and noticed that apart from it being a little wet, it was still functioning properly. She suppressed the rage within her and stalked out of the bathroom. Without wasting any more

knew then that she was about to go out. When Erin was dressed with her handbag at the ready, he grabbed her arm

earlier and saw a black Maybach parked downstairs. Even though he couldn’t clearly discern the car’s license plate, from the wealth radiating from the car alone, Ian

could drive overnight and reach

Erin’s tone was evidently displeased. She was not

now! Are you going to see him in the middle of the night? He no doubt just wants to

answered expressionlessly, “I have no other choice.”

threats had been tried and tested many times. He had long found her most vulnerable spots

you to act like his prostitute, answering his commands and letting his wants eclipse your free will?” Ian’s eyes were red with anger. He itched to rush downstairs to beat some sense into Chandler, but the mere thought of

bag. The chains on her bag

from finding me, lan, by all means, go ahead. If not, shut your fucking mouth. He has something on

him. He could only watch as his ex–wife met up with another man in the middle of

he felt powerless in light of everything