After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 418

“Isabella, do you really hate me that much?” Ethan’s voice sounded hurt.

She didn't reply. Last time, loving him had cost her everything. Now, with a second chance, she was finally close to getting a divorce. All those ugly things from before hadn’t happened because she’d made different choices.

Her silence was answer enough, and Ethan felt it. He’d always seen himself as young, good-looking, the kind of man other women admired. Yet here he was, with a wife who seemed to dislike him more than anyone else in the world.

“If I just keep refusing the divorce, are we going to end up as enemies?” he asked.

Isabella looked at him. “What’s it like, being married to someone you don’t love? I think you know that better than anyone.”

That shut him up immediately.

“Ethan, there’s no point pretending there’s something between us. There never was. You never loved me.”

“If you ever have a project that makes money, though, let me know. We can work together, no hard feelings.”

Ethan didn’t say a word. He turned to the window, his face a mix of frustration and pride. Silence filled the car again, heavy and cold.

They pulled up in front of Isabella’s bookstore. The driver glanced back at her. “We’re here, Isabella.”

“Thanks. I’ll get out now.”

She undid her seatbelt, got out, and shot Ethan a little wave—more out of habit than anything else. Goodbye, she mouthed, hoping it was for good, though she knew it wouldn’t be.

Ethan just sat there, refusing to look at her. Only after she walked away did he watch her leave, the sight of her fading figure weighing on him.

He never meant to hurt her, but marrying her under false pretenses and using her like he did had left scars. He didn't want a divorce, but if he didn’t go through with it, he’d have to give up Natalie.

Since there wasn’t much they could do in the shop while it was being cleaned, Laura started packing up her laptop. She took it everywhere, always ready to write whenever she had a free moment.

“Let’s go.”

They headed out together. The walk to the studio took less than ten minutes.

After handling a few quick work things, they finally got a chance to sit down and talk.

“Did you manage to get the wedding gift back?” Laura asked, concern in her voice.

Isabella gave a small, bitter laugh. “Once something ends up in Natalie’s pocket, there’s no way she’s giving it back.”