After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 236

“Are we really planning to launch the series during the holiday?” Laura asked, brows knitting together. “That feels way too rushed. Plus, it’s the long May Day break. People are either going home or heading out on trips. Hardly anyone’s going to be online watching shows.”

It was always like this for writers—holidays meant low traffic and fewer readers. Everyone just disappeared for a few days.

Isabella shook her head. “We don’t need to push for a holiday release. Let’s just go live when everything’s ready. No need to stress about the timing.”

“Let the director know they don’t have to hurry either,” she added. “Everyone needs to take care of themselves.”

She remembered reading a story in her last life about an actor who had worked nonstop for seven days. He was so exhausted that when he finally lay down to rest, he never woke up again. Making money mattered, but not as much as staying alive. Isabella didn’t want anyone on her team burning out just to hit a deadline.

“That’s what I think too. No need to rush,” Laura agreed.

“Alright, Isabella, let’s leave it here for today. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.”

They ended the call. Laura slipped her phone back into her pocket and glanced up just as Jesse appeared at her side, handing her a grilled chicken wing.

Jesse had brought fruit, barbecue, and desserts for everyone, saying it was a reward for all their hard work. When he saw Laura on the phone, he’d saved a wing just for her.

“Jesse, thanks for treating everyone,” Laura said. She watched as the crew dug into the food, smiles breaking out everywhere.

Barbara and Linda had invested because of Isabella—because she was Mrs. Adams, and they wanted to make connections. In reality, neither of them actually cared about this industry. Linda hadn’t even bothered to ask about the project.

“Laura, how do you know we’re not right for each other if we haven’t even tried?” Jesse called her by her first name now, dropping the formalities.

“I don’t need to try to know,” Laura replied calmly. “Our worlds are just too different. I’m not looking to move up in society, not that I even could. If you just like my books, I appreciate that. But if you want something more… I’m sorry, Jesse. Please stop.”

She thought of Isabella, who’d married into a wealthy family. What good had it done her? Ethan had chased after Isabella with so much passion that everyone thought it was true love. He’d even given her a fairytale wedding. But that dream had shattered on the very first night.

Now, Isabella wanted out, but Ethan wouldn’t let her go. Instead, Isabella was fighting back in her own way. One refused to let go, and the other wouldn’t stop retaliating. No one knew how long their tug-of-war would last.