After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 4

Natalie didn’t even bother getting up until noon. She looked so relaxed, almost lazy, and Ethan couldn’t hide how much it bothered him. He had shown up early, hoping to get a little extra time with her, but she stayed hidden in her room, fast asleep.

Fine, if he cared about Natalie so much, Isabella decided she’d make things easier for him. She’d wait until noon to visit her parents’ house, just so he could spend the morning with the woman he actually adored. She figured she could be the picture of a considerate wife, as long as her monthly allowance kept showing up on time. Playing the role of a laid-back spouse wasn’t so hard.-

Susan, on the other hand, was having none of it. She frowned and shot Isabella a warning look. “Isabella, Ethan’s patience won’t last forever. He took the day off just to go with you to your family’s place. That’s him showing he cares. Don’t take it for granted.”

Care? Isabella almost laughed. It was all just a performance. She had to admit, Ethan was good at it, too. So convincing that even she, stuck in his little drama, had believed it for a while. She’d gotten burned for it, too.

“Susan, it’s my family we’re visiting. I know how things are over there better than anyone. I said we’ll go at noon, and I meant it. The earliest we’re leaving is ten-thirty.” She stretched and let out a yawn, “I’m tired. I’m going back to sleep.”

With that, she stepped back and closed the door behind her.

Of course, she didn’t crawl back into bed. Instead, she slipped into her closet and picked out something to wear. She knew Ethan wouldn’t wait that long. He’d be upstairs in no time, banging on her door, trying to hurry her along.

Sure enough, just a few minutes later, someone knocked again.

By then, Isabella was in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face.

But being married into a wealthy family wasn’t easy. Her mother had spent years walking on eggshells, always trying to keep the peace with Jordan Lane, doing everything she could to stay on his and Natalie’s good side. She’d drilled those lessons into Isabella since she was a kid.

Ethan’s voice broke the silence. “Isabella Lane.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him, her big eyes shining like stars. She smiled, gentle and a little distant. “What is it, Mr. Adams?”

“We’re married now, Isabella. We had a whole wedding. Stop calling me Mr. Adams. Call me Ethan. Or Eth, like you used to.” He was thirty now, and she was twenty-five.