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,

alarmed as soon as she heard his icy voice. How did he know that Ian was in her

sent someone to

he inhabited made his gaze seem dreamlike and hazy. He looked in the direction

your secret lover! 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

deceitful young girl!” she

knitted his brow when he replied. “Replacement? Whose

and you love Claire.

her replacement. There. I’ve said it. Are you happy now? Admit it. If you’re a

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me. You are no one’s replacement. I want you, and it does not

alright? I’m

minutes to come downstairs. One minute later, and I’ll upload your photo onto all the major

you–hey!” Erin was so mad that she hurled her phone against the

the door.

it was still functioning properly. She suppressed the rage within her and stalked out of the bathroom. Without wasting

with her handbag

from the window 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 immediately knew it was

Chandler could drive overnight and

tone was evidently displeased. She was not in the mood

at the time now! Are you going to see him in the middle of the night?

“I have no other choice.”

many times. He had long found her most

his commands and letting his wants eclipse your free will?” Ian’s eyes were

with her bag. The chains on her bag forced him to let

to prevent Chandler from finding me, lan, by all means, go ahead.

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

if he had wanted to control her, he felt powerless in light of everything that had