After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 352

Jackson finished his noodles and left the villa before Zachary got back. At the door, Cynthia saw him off and said again, “Jackson, really think about this. If we go our separate ways peacefully, it’s best for everyone.”

Jackson didn’t answer. He just got into his car and drove off.

Once he was gone, Cynthia called Isabella. It took ages for Isabella to pick up.

“Isabella, are you busy?” Cynthia asked, thinking her daughter must be swamped. “Or did you stay up late again last night?”

She sighed and continued, “Don’t keep staying up so late. Try to get to bed before eleven, alright? Just because you’re young doesn’t mean you can push your luck. So many young people end up getting really sick from burning the candle at both ends. You’re my only child. You have to look after yourself.”

“Mom, I didn’t stay up late.” Isabella’s voice sounded hoarse. “I went out to dinner with everyone last night and drank way too much. I’m still hungover, so I’m just resting at home today.” Her throat hurt, and she had to drag herself out of bed for a glass of warm water before she could even talk properly.

Cynthia’s heart ached for her all over again.

Isabella let her mom fuss for a few minutes, listening to her go on. After Cynthia finally paused, Isabella asked, “Mom, what’s happening with you and Jackson? Did you meet that woman yet?”

“I’m going to. We’re meeting at the coffee shop at ten.”

When Ethan heard the honey water hadn’t helped, he called his family doctor and asked him to drop by and check on Isabella. The doctor examined her, prescribed some medicine, and said her throat was pretty inflamed. If she didn’t take the meds, she’d probably end up with a fever by the afternoon.

Susan walked the doctor out, then hurried back inside and called out before she even reached Isabella’s room. “Isabella, quick, upstairs. Sophia’s here, and she brought a young girl with her. Probably another one of Ethan’s admirers.”

In Susan’s mind, all of Sophia’s friends had a thing for Ethan. Sophia loved bringing them over. It wasn’t about helping her friends chase after Ethan, but more about using them to mess with Isabella. A couple of months ago, Susan would have stayed out of it. Now, after seeing how Ethan was treating Isabella differently, Susan had naturally taken Isabella’s side. She didn’t want her getting picked on by Sophia’s group.

Honestly, Sophia was going too far. She was a woman too, and one day she’d get married. Why couldn’t she try to put herself in someone else’s shoes?