After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 364

Cynthia finally relaxed and smiled. “Ms. Dale, let’s swap numbers.”

They exchanged contact info. Cynthia slung her purse over her shoulder and said, “Alright, Ms. Dale, I’ll be waiting to hear some good news from you.”

She waved her hand. “And this coffee’s on me.”

Deborah thanked her with a grateful nod.

After Cynthia left, Deborah stayed in her seat, watching the door for a moment, lost in thought. Eventually, she flagged down a waiter and asked for a coffee and a box of pastries to go.

She pulled out her phone and called Jackson.

Isabella overheard her voice turn soft and sweet. “Jackson, I’m out at a café. I picked up some coffee and pastries for you. Can I bring them by?”

She added, “And maybe we could grab dinner together? How about that restaurant we used to love?”

Romance was Deborah’s specialty. She knew exactly how to make Jackson feel wanted, which was why he couldn’t let her go. If she asked him to make things official between them, he’d probably agree to divorce Cynthia without much hesitation.

Jackson laughed quietly on the other end. “I don’t really need coffee, you know. But it’s sweet of you. Why not just send it with a delivery guy?”

Jackson cared about both his sons, but Kevin had always been more vulnerable, carrying the label of “illegitimate” and all the trouble that came with it. Jackson felt a special responsibility to protect him until he was strong enough to stand up for himself.

After Jackson turned down the proposal, Jordan’s face fell, but at least he didn’t argue.

With all of that going on, Jackson definitely didn’t want Deborah dropping by and making things even more complicated.

“But I really want to bring them to you myself,” Deborah pouted, her voice playful and sweet. “And if you have a lunch meeting, can I come along? I’d love to be there.”

She used to be his secretary, always by his side at business dinners and negotiations. Deborah was good at reading the room, handling tough clients, and making deals happen. She could handle her drinks, too. More than once, she’d outdrunk clients who ended up signing with The Lane Group just to save face. Cynthia, on the other hand, was a great homemaker, but she could never help Jackson at work the way Deborah could.