After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 381

“It’s always the men who mess around, but somehow, we women end up taking all the blame.”

Deborah’s voice trembled as she spoke, and then, tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Jackson hurried over, wrapping his arms around her and whispering soft reassurances.

He tried to calm her down for a while, then reached into the drawer, pulled out a small velvet box, and tucked it into her hands. “I got you a new necklace,” he said gently. “Open it. See if you like it.”

He had actually bought the necklace for Cynthia, hoping it might convince his wife to forgive him, forget the talk of divorce, and move back into the Lane family home. Now that Deborah was so upset, he just handed it over to her instead.

Truthfully, even if he’d given it to Cynthia, she might have accepted the necklace, but forgiveness wasn’t in her nature. She was stubborn, the kind of woman who saw infidelity as unforgivable. To her, what he’d done was dirty, a betrayal of their marriage and of her.

He knew she’d never let it go. And if she really wanted a divorce, then so be it. They could part ways without drama.

Deborah opened the box, her cheeks still damp with tears, but her face brightened with a smile. “It’s gorgeous, Jackson. I love it. When did you buy this?”

“Today, actually. I was planning to give it to you tonight. I know we fought over those photos, and I shouldn’t have doubted you. I wanted to apologize with this necklace.”

He took the necklace from her and fastened it around her neck.

Deborah tipped her chin up, letting him clasp it. “I told you, I had nothing to do with those photos. I was hurt that you didn’t trust me, but I already forgave you.”

Jackson frowned. “That’s probably not a good idea. We should keep it low-key.”

He felt like doing it that way would just be too much, too hurtful for Cynthia. After all these years, he doubted she was completely indifferent. She just couldn’t accept his cheating. Divorce would hurt her, no matter what.

“Just stay home and wait for my news,” he told Deborah. “There’s a one-month waiting period before the divorce, so just lay low for now. And whatever you do, don’t go looking for trouble with Cynthia.”

“Why would I? She’s already lost,” Deborah said with a little shrug. For eleven years, she’d never once gone after Cynthia. Even now, with their relationship out in the open, there was no need. If anything, Cynthia was the one who came to her, asking her to push Jackson to get the divorce and give up her place.

Deborah couldn’t help but feel a bit smug. At least that woman knew when she was beaten. She realized Jackson didn’t want her anymore and was stepping aside without a fight. That was almost admirable.