After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 172

Jennifer fixed Cynthia with a cool, steady look. “Mrs. Lane, I’d appreciate it if you called me Mrs. Adams,” she said, her voice icy. Honestly, she was just waiting for Ethan and Isabella to split up.

Cynthia’s smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “Of course, Mrs. Adams. Please, come inside.”

Jennifer gave her another dismissive look before stepping into the house. Cynthia took a slow, calming breath and followed.

The butler, already on edge, hurried off to get Mrs. Adams some water without waiting for instructions.

Jennifer made herself comfortable on the sofa, acting like she owned the place. She gestured for Cynthia to sit across from her, as if Cynthia was the guest here.

“Mrs. Adams, have some water,” Cynthia offered politely.

“I’m not thirsty. I’m here to talk about Isabella,” Jennifer said bluntly. “You’ve been a part of the Lane family for twenty years now, right? Jackson brings you to all sorts of social events, so you know how things work with the other big families.”

“You should understand that every family has their own rules. Maybe the Lane family is more relaxed, and that’s your business, but my family has always taken our traditions seriously. We’ve followed the same rules for generations.”

“But Isabella refuses to respect the Adams family’s ways. I’ve talked to her about it. I had Susan try to talk some sense into her too, but she just ignores us.”

“She’s making the Adams family look bad. People are starting to say we can’t take care of her, that we have to let her go out and work for a living.”

Jennifer stared at Cynthia for a long moment, her expression softening just a little. She was a mother too. She had a daughter of her own. If Sophia ever made a mistake after getting married, Jennifer would want to bring her home and discipline her herself, not have someone else do it.

In the end, they were both just mothers who wanted to protect their children.

“Since you’re not going to get involved, let’s just pretend this conversation never happened,” Jennifer said, standing up and picking up her purse. “And don’t worry. I’m fair. I won’t lay a hand on Isabella.”

Cynthia stood as well, walking her to the door.