After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 260

Isabella watched Cynthia drive away, her mind drifting back to her past life. She couldn’t help but wonder why her mother hadn’t come to take care of her after she died. Did her mom not love her? But now, looking back, she knew the answer. Her mother had always loved her. There were just things she couldn’t understand back then.

This time around, Isabella was determined not to make the same mistakes. She wanted to hold on tight to every moment she had.

“Mom, do you want to look into her?” Isabella asked, meaning Jackson’s mistress.

Cynthia shook her head. “If anyone’s going to do any digging, it shouldn’t be us. Jackson is too powerful, and we don’t have that kind of network. The minute we try, he’ll know. It just isn’t worth it.”

She paused, her expression softening. “Isabella, when a man says he loves you, he does mean it… right then. But when he stops loving you, he means that too. Don’t gamble on their feelings. You’ll lose, every single time.”

“I’ve met plenty of wives, rich and not-so-rich. What they told me always stuck with me. They said as long as a man comes home, brings back money, and cares about his family, you just have to turn a blind eye to whatever he does outside.”

Cynthia sighed, looking tired. “Isabella, Jennifer came to see me. She wanted me to talk you out of starting your own business. I told her no.”

“I want you to have your own money, your own life. Don’t end up like me, trapped and frustrated. You can’t rely on men. You can’t really rely on anyone but yourself. Work hard, and your future will be so much better than mine.”

Isabella thought about it and realized her mom was right. This was Cynthia and Jackson’s mess to handle. If her mom didn’t want her involved, she’d step back. She trusted Cynthia to deal with it.

“I’ll figure out a way to let Jordan know about his dad’s other kid,” Cynthia said quietly. “Let them fight it out.”

They kept talking on the way back, and before long, they were parked in front of Ethan’s big house.

Cynthia stopped the car. “It’s late. Go inside and get some rest. I’m not coming in.”

“Come on, Mom, you’re already here. At least come in and have a glass of water.”

Cynthia shook her head. “No, I should get home.”

“Isabella, it’s me. Harold.”

The second she heard Harold’s calm, familiar voice, sleep vanished. She sat up and flicked on the lamp, her mind suddenly alert. Why would Harold call her at this hour?

“Harold? What’s going on? It’s the middle of the night.”

Harold sounded exasperated. “Ethan’s in a terrible mood. He called me out to go drinking with him.”

“He’s completely wasted. I tried to take him home, but he refuses. He says he’ll only go if you come get him. He’s threatening not to come home at all unless you show up.”

Isabella rolled her eyes, frustrated. If he doesn’t want to come home, let him stay out. Like I care.