After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 293

“I know he wouldn’t dare hurt Mom. He’s the one who cheated, after all. He owes her. I’m just worried she’ll let him talk her into forgiving him.”

Isabella let out a long sigh. “I never would’ve believed Jackson was that type of man. He always seemed so good to Mom. He came home every night, like clockwork.”

Ethan shook his head. “Coming home every night doesn’t mean anything. Men can cheat and just say they’re working late or out with clients. Their wives are at home, and they have no idea what’s really going on.”

“It’s even worse with successful men. They’re always out meeting people, entertaining clients, spending time with so many different women. After a while, it just becomes normal for them.”

“Jackson’s got a fortune, billions even. He keeps himself in shape, he’s mature, he seems dependable. Even if he’s not out there chasing women, some women just want a shortcut in life and come after him anyway.”

“He might say no once or twice, but eventually, that kind of temptation wears anyone down.”

“A lot of wives know what’s happening. Some make a big deal out of it, others just pretend not to notice, as long as nothing threatens their own place in the family.”

Ethan had seen all of this before. He liked to think he was one of the rare guys who hadn’t given in. He couldn’t help but feel a little proud of that.

His biggest mistake in love had always been what he’d done to Isabella—lying to her, using her.

Once they were in the car, Isabella glanced over and said, “So you really are one of the good ones. All these years, you’ve stayed loyal to Natalie. There’s never even been a whisper of a scandal about you.”

“So many girls have been into you, every kind of girl you can imagine, and you never even seemed tempted. You just brushed them all off.”

“Isabella.”

“Yeah, I’m here. Go ahead.”

“I remember giving you a townhouse. Have you been there yet?” Ethan changed the topic, tired of talking about Jackson’s affair.

“I went to check it out,” Isabella said. “It’s not huge or anything, but it’s more than enough for just me.”

He’d given her a townhouse, nothing like the big villas with gardens he owned. The mansion they lived in now was clearly for Natalie. Everything about it—the way it was decorated, the way the garden was arranged—was exactly what Natalie loved. All his other places looked pretty much the same.