After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 223

In Jennifer’s dream, Isabella was convinced that Ethan was in love with Natalie. The two women acted like lifelong rivals. Dream-Isabella was absolutely unhinged.

When Jennifer woke up the next morning, she felt drained, like she hadn’t slept at all. Her head was pounding, and just as she tried to get comfortable, someone started knocking at her door. She groaned, threw off the covers, and stormed over to open it.

“Isabella, let’s go for our morning run— Mom? What are you doing here?”

Ethan stood in the hallway, dressed for a workout, looking completely confused to see his mother instead of Isabella. He’d come home late last night after everyone else had gone to bed. No one told him his mother was staying over, let alone in Isabella’s room.

“Why can’t it be me?” his mom shot back. “You’re banging on the door at the crack of dawn. Some of us are trying to sleep, you know.”

Ethan gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Mom, I didn’t know you were in Isabella’s room. She says my snoring keeps her up, so she insists on sleeping alone. I have to come knock every morning to wake her up.”

Funny enough, Ethan hadn’t even checked with Susan about this excuse, but it matched what Susan had said, too.

“Is Isabella awake yet? We usually run together in the mornings.”

Jennifer pointed down the hall. “She moved to one of the guest rooms on the west side. Go find her yourself. I’m going back to bed. Unless the house is burning down, don’t bother me.”

Ethan nodded and stepped aside to let his mom get her rest. He found Isabella in the west guest room and woke her up. Ten minutes later, they headed downstairs together.

Susan spotted them from the bottom of the stairs. She looked like she wanted to say something but ended up staying quiet.

They went out to the backyard. It was huge, with a path lined by old trees. They ran a couple of laps, which was more than enough for a morning workout. After the first lap, Ethan slowed down to a walk and motioned for Isabella to join him.

“So, what’s up with my mom?” he asked.

“She told me she’s moving in with us and wanted my room. She made me pack up and move out last night.”

Ethan gave her a reassuring nod. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. In front of my family, I’ll play the perfect doting husband. Just go along with it.”

She grinned, then changed the subject. “By the way, you still haven’t given me this month’s allowance.”

Ethan rolled his eyes and flicked her forehead. “We were having a real conversation and you had to bring up money. It ruins the vibe.”

She shrugged. “There’s no vibe between us anyway. No love, just money. I like money. It might not solve everything, but it’s better than having nothing.”

He sighed. “Alright, I’ll send it to you later.”

Time really did fly. He hadn’t even realized it was already allowance day again.