After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 1221

Self-preservation was human nature.

"When Isabella comes over, is this all you two talk about behind closed doors?" Stephanie asked softly.

Ethan nodded. "It's our shared secret. No one else knows. I'm only telling you this now. My parents have no idea. Isabella only talks to me about it because she needed to know how the dream ended after her death."

"I don't think her mother knows either. Isabella has kept her completely in the dark. The reason she was so unyielding about the divorce, and why she refuses to even entertain the idea of getting back together, is entirely because of what happened in that timeline. She said it's a trauma she'll never be able to erase."

Stephanie let out a heavy, empathetic sigh. "If I were in her shoes, I would have done the exact same thing."

Whether it was real or a trick of the mind, having such visceral, recurring nightmares of being tortured and murdered would leave anyone severely traumatized. Anyone would be terrified of the dream bleeding into reality.

Escaping the marriage was the only way she felt she could survive.

"Winifred mentioned a mystic recently—a very powerful fortune teller," Stephanie said thoughtfully. "She claims he can read past lives, present circumstances, and future fates. I'm going to have him read the two of you to figure out what exactly is going on."

"Maybe you two were entangled like this in a past life and the baggage followed you here. Or maybe you've just crossed paths with something dark."

Ethan looked at her, utterly unimpressed. "Grandma, we're educated people. We don't believe in superstition. Fortune tellers are just con artists out for a quick buck."

"Winifred knows him personally. She's bragged about how powerful he is multiple times. Do you know how many billionaires and politicians have begged for a reading, only to be turned away? The mystic says he only reads for those destined to cross his path."

She and Winifred Blair had been best friends for decades. Their bond was ironclad.

Stephanie quickly explained the situation over the phone. Winifred enthusiastically agreed, promising to escort the two of them to see Master Julian the very next day.

Ending the call, Stephanie turned back to him. "It's settled. Winifred is on board. We'll head out first thing in the morning. But there's a catch—the mystic lives in a temple up in the mountains. Are you in any shape to handle a hike right now?"

"It's not a massive climb, perfectly fine for a normal person, but you're still recovering..."

Stephanie eyed her grandson, visibly worried his battered body wouldn't hold up.