After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 423

He set his glass down with a loud clink, his eyes growing colder by the second.

“If I get the wedding gifts back, I’m not divorcing Isabella.”

Keith leaned forward, trying to reason with him. “Mr. Adams, Isabella’s lost all hope in you. You might be able to keep her around, but you can’t force her to stay in love. She’s begging you for a divorce. If you end things now, at least you’ll both have some dignity left. It doesn’t have to get ugly. And if you realize you actually care about her, you can always try again. Win her back. Make her fall for you a second time.”

He paused, his voice gentle but firm. “But this time, you have to be real with her. Only true feelings will last. That’s how you build a life together.”

Ethan’s panic slipped through. “But what if, after the divorce, someone else starts chasing her?”

Keith shrugged. “Then you fight for her. Fair and square. Let the best man win.”

Ethan stared at the floor. “I’ve hurt Isabella so much. There’s no way she’d ever pick me again.”

Keith shook his head. “You won’t know unless you try.”

Ethan fell silent, lost in his thoughts.

Keith stood up. “Think it over, Mr. Adams. I’ve got to get back to work.” He’d said all he could. Whether Ethan listened or not was out of his hands. Judging from how torn up Ethan seemed, Keith suspected he really was starting to care about Isabella. If none of these things had happened, maybe with a little more time, Isabella could have truly taken Natalie’s place in his heart. Natalie never was right for Mr. Adams. She didn’t deserve him.

Keith just hoped Ethan would finally realize who really mattered.

Ethan didn’t say a word as Keith left. After closing the office door, Keith told the secretary not to bother Ethan unless it was urgent.

She didn’t hesitate. “What’s so hard about it? The wedding gifts were from you to Isabella. That makes them hers. You’re her husband. You should be on her side, helping her get back what’s rightfully hers.”

“But Natalie already used them as investments.”

Stephanie’s voice was calm but unyielding. “If you stand your ground, do you think she’d dare refuse? Ethan, this is all about your attitude. You need to let go of Natalie. That’s the only way you’ll get a fresh start. If you don’t, she’ll drag you down.”

“You can let Jeremy take over the company for a while. Take some time off. Sort out your personal life.” She knew Ethan was the head of The Adams Group, but the truth was, the other Adams men were just as capable. The company wouldn’t fall apart without him.

“Do you want me to send some people to help you get Isabella’s wedding gifts back?” she asked. “You still have the list, right? If not, I’ve got the draft you wrote up yourself. You used that exact list to get all the gifts ready.”

Stephanie’s tone turned sharp. “Get every single thing back. None of it belongs to Natalie. She has no right to keep any of it.”