After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 337

Ethan pressed his lips together and said, “You’re free to be friends with whoever you want. I’m not going to stop you. I’m just... venting a little.”

He knew Linda was Douglas’s sister, and even though he and Douglas couldn’t stand each other and were rivals in business, he had to admit that Linda had her head on straight. Honestly, she was way better than Sophia in every way. Isabella had managed to pull in two investors, Barbara and Linda, both real heiresses from the city’s elite. Ethan couldn’t help but feel a little proud—his wife had excellent taste.

Isabella walked over to the office door, gently cracked it open, and peeked outside. Jesse was already dressed again, standing with Laura and talking quietly. Laura was holding the bouquet he’d brought her, a little smile on her lips.

Ethan slipped up behind Isabella, standing so close that if she took even a small step back, she’d land right in his arms. He’d have the perfect excuse to hold her. He caught himself thinking how sneaky he was being.

He glanced out at Jesse and Laura. Their voices were low, so he couldn’t make out what they were saying, but honestly, he didn’t care. That was Jesse’s business. It was obvious Jesse liked Laura—Ethan wasn’t blind.

His mind wandered to Sophia. Jennifer had once asked him to choose between Jesse and Harold for Sophia to marry. He hadn’t agreed. He knew both men too well, knew neither of them saw Sophia that way. His friendship with Harold and Jesse wasn’t as deep as what he had with Jordan, but they’d all known each other for years, growing up together in Cabinda’s upper circles. After so many years, it was only natural they’d become friends. He trusted both men—he knew they’d be great partners for Sophia, but he just couldn’t play matchmaker. Deep down, he felt Sophia didn’t quite measure up to them, even if she was his sister.

He reached out, blocking her way between the door and himself. He leaned in, his eyes fixed on her face. His voice was low, almost rough. “Isabella, have I really been that bad to you?”

“How did we become the bad example?”

Isabella brushed his arm aside and slipped away, putting a bit of distance between them. She glanced back and said, “Ethan, we can talk about anything—just not love. We can pretend in front of everyone else, but when it’s just us, let’s not fake it. Don’t you think that’s enough pretending?”