After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 148

Ethan spotted them from across the room and didn’t hesitate. He broke away from the crowd and walked straight toward them, his steps confident and sure.

“Harold,” he greeted, sounding perfectly at ease.

Before Harold even had a chance to react, Ethan reached out and took the plate of fruit from his hands. He slid in next to Isabella, slipping an arm around her waist like it was the most natural thing in the world. There was no mistaking the message: Isabella belonged to him.

“Babe, if you’re carrying too much, just call me. I’ll come help. No need to bother Harold,” Ethan said, his words light but his meaning impossible to miss.

Harold managed a polite smile. “Ethan, this is actually for Barbara. She asked Isabella to grab it, and I offered to take it over for her.” He wasn’t trying to cozy up to Isabella, just helping out his sister.

In his head, Harold couldn’t help but think, Ethan really is jealous. Isn’t he supposed to be crazy about Natalie?

Ethan’s dark eyes flickered. He handed the plate back to Harold without missing a beat. “Ah, got it. I just thought my wife needed help and asked you.” Then, turning his attention back to Isabella, he let his hand slip from her waist to her hand. “Where did you go, babe? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

Isabella gently pulled her hand away, her smile never faltering. “Ethan, you should focus on your own business. Barbara and I were having a good conversation, just catching up over there.”

“What were you two talking about?” Ethan pressed. “Jordan and Natalie are here, by the way. Come on, I’ll take you to say hi. I can introduce you to a couple of producers I know.”

Harold jumped in, “Isabella, are you thinking about joining the entertainment industry?”

Ethan reached for Isabella’s hand again. “Jordan and Natalie are over there. Let’s go.”

“I told you not to wander off. The next thing I know, you’re deep in conversation with Barbara. She’s really picky about who she hangs out with. Are you sure you two actually hit it off?” he teased. “And if she gives you a hard time, don’t worry about me and Harold. Just stand up for yourself. You’re my wife, Mrs. Adams. If anyone’s going to do the bullying, it’s you, not the other way around.”

He leaned in, his voice dropping a little. “Just remember, I’ve got your back now. If the sky falls, I’ll hold it up for you.”

Isabella turned her head, meeting his eyes with a look that was all disbelief. Protector? Really? Did he forget that every bit of her pain had come from him?

“You seem to forget, Ethan,” she said quietly, her voice steady and cold. “You’re the one who dragged me into this. I could have lived a normal life, married someone ordinary, had my peace. But you pulled me in, played with my feelings, and turned me into a pawn.”