After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 404

“Grandma gave me an earful for not buying you any skincare. So, last night, I went out and got you a few sets.” Ethan tried to sound sweet. “Isabella, take a look. Do you like these? If you do, just say the word, and I’ll keep buying you whatever you want. I know I haven’t been a good husband, but I want to do better. I really do.”

Isabella glanced at all the bags in his hands. “Ethan, you don’t have to do this. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s not like you’re actually sincere. If your grandma hadn’t scolded you, you wouldn’t have even thought about buying these for me. That just proves I don’t matter to you. I’m just a piece on your chessboard. When has a pawn ever mattered?”

She sounded so calm, almost cold. “I don’t think there’s anything left for us to say. You should go. I’m busy.”

Ethan slowly set the gifts down. He stared at her, searching for something in her face. His voice was low and rough. “Isabella, can’t we just start over?”

She let out a soft laugh. “Start over? Ethan, we never even started. The last six months… it was just a game to you.”

“That’s not true. Isabella, I—”

Ethan’s phone started ringing. He pulled it out, answered, and pressed it to his ear.

“Ethan, it’s me.” Natalie’s voice was quiet, almost drained.

“Natalie? Are you okay? You don’t sound well.” Ethan’s concern was immediate.

There was a pause before Natalie spoke again, sounding even weaker. “I have a cold, and I’m running a fever. Jordan left for the airport this morning. He’s on a work trip. There’s no one here except the staff. I feel awful. Can you take me to the hospital?”

Ethan didn’t even hesitate. “Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll be right there.”

Ethan shot him a look. “Why do you have so many opinions? Natalie’s sick and alone. I’m just helping her see a doctor. Isabella’s not the jealous type. She won’t care.”

The driver muttered, “If a wife doesn’t care that her husband is dropping everything for another woman, there’s usually one reason. She doesn’t love him anymore.”

Ethan didn’t answer.

He told himself Natalie was sick, Jordan was away, and he’d been their friend since they were kids. Of course he could help. But Isabella really didn’t seem to care at all.

The driver kept going. “Even if Jordan isn’t home, it’s not like the Gates family is empty. Natalie could have called her own family. They live close by. Besides, the Lane family even has a family doctor.”