After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 18

She never really read novels. Whenever she was bored, she just scrolled through short videos or binged web dramas.

“Isabella Lane, I’m talking to you!” Natalie’s voice snapped Isabella out of her thoughts. When Isabella didn’t answer, Natalie stomped over and shoved her shoulder.

Isabella staggered back a few steps, using it as an excuse to put some space between them. “Natalie, that actually hurt,” she said, rubbing her shoulder. Everyone always thought she was delicate, but Natalie was surprisingly strong. It was a reminder not to underestimate her.

“Oh, come on. Are you made of tofu? It was just a little push. Now answer me,” Natalie demanded.

Isabella looked at her calmly. “You can see for yourself how Ethan treats me, can’t you?”

Natalie scoffed. “He’s just pretending, right? Does he really love you?”

Isabella smiled, a little amused. “Why are you asking? Are you really that concerned about whether he loves me?”

“What’s with that attitude?” Natalie’s voice got sharper. “Don’t think that just because you married Ethan, you’re suddenly Mrs. Adams. Ethan isn’t actually serious about you. There’s no way he could ever really like you.”

Isabella replied softly, “I married him, so of course I’m Mrs. Adams. That’s just how it works. Whether or not he loves me, honestly, I don’t mind. So why are you so upset about it?”

Natalie stared at her, face tense, but then her expression softened. “I grew up with Ethan. I know him better than anyone. I just don’t think he’s sincere with you, and I don’t want you to get hurt or used by him.”

She reached for Isabella, pulled her closer, and wrapped her arm around Isabella’s as they started walking toward the pool again.

Isabella’s mind raced. Why did Natalie keep steering her toward the pool? She was definitely up to something. Isabella needed a way out.

Jordan glanced over and saw Natalie standing a short distance away, unharmed. He relaxed, then turned to Ethan. “Ethan, look at her. She has no class at all. Now that she’s your wife, everything she does reflects on you. You really should get someone to teach her some manners. Did you see how she just ran off? It’s embarrassing.”

Ethan was quiet for a moment before shrugging. “When you gotta go, you gotta go.”

Jordan looked at him for a second, then walked away without another word.

Ethan didn’t follow. He just stood there, watching as Jordan reached Natalie and pulled her into a hug. Something about the way Jordan held her made Ethan’s chest tighten.

In his head, Ethan cursed Isabella. She took his money but didn’t even manage to give him and Natalie some time alone. When they got home, he was definitely going to dock her bonus.