After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 269

“I don’t even know why. Just bad luck, I guess.” Ethan’s voice came through, full of sympathy.

Then, out of nowhere, he said, “Isabella, I’m sorry. Yesterday was my fault.”

Isabella raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Wow, look at you. The sun must be rising in the west if you’re actually apologizing to me.”

Ethan let her have her fun. He knew he’d messed up and he wasn’t about to argue. He wasn’t dumb—far from it. Most of the time, he was sharp and levelheaded. But whenever Natalie was involved, his judgment would tip in her favor, and he’d just look the other way. He understood exactly what he was doing. It always came down to who he chose to stand with.

Honestly, Isabella was surprised. Ethan telling Jordan about Natalie’s pregnancy and then apologizing… That was new. Maybe he wasn’t blindly protecting Natalie anymore.

“Alright, apology accepted. But don’t bother trying to make it up to me with dinner.” Isabella grinned. “If you really feel guilty, just compensate me for my emotional distress.”

“I’ll take as much as you want to give.”

Ethan’s reply came with a sigh. “You’re such a money-grubber.” He hung up, but there was a smile tugging at his lips.

A minute later, Isabella’s phone buzzed nonstop. Ethan started sending her money transfers, each for two hundred. He sent so many she couldn’t even keep track. It felt like cash was raining down from the sky.

Isabella’s thumb started to ache from accepting all the transfers, but she couldn’t stop giggling. She felt like a sneaky mouse who’d hit the jackpot in a room full of rice.

“Who knows, maybe when I go back next week, everything will be fine.”

Jordan finally let out a shaky breath, looking a little more relieved.

Cynthia, who had heard every word, suddenly remembered what had happened yesterday. Her face went pale. Isabella had been smart enough to avoid coming home, but Cynthia still lived here in the Lane family house. If Natalie couldn’t go after Isabella, would she turn on her instead?

Cynthia suddenly felt the urge to take a trip—anywhere, just to get away for a while. If she wasn’t around, Natalie wouldn’t have the chance to set her up. Maybe then Natalie would give up and quietly go through with the procedure.