After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 428

Adelina and the others turned to watch as the cars pulled up. They instantly recognized Ethan’s license plate.

Cynthia was the first to step out. “Adelina, you’re here,” she said with a polite smile.

Adelina returned the gesture. “Natalie hasn’t been home for a few days. Her father and I were getting worried, so we decided to come by and check on her.” Cynthia might not have been Jordan’s biological mother, but she had raised him like her own. Adelina always spoke to her with respect and often reminded Natalie to treat Cynthia kindly. Of course, Natalie never really listened.

Just then, Mike and the bodyguards got out of their car. Mike immediately hurried over to open Ethan’s door. He paused when he noticed Ethan wasn’t moving.

Mike leaned closer and saw that Ethan was fast asleep. After two days with almost no rest, Ethan had barely sat down before he’d drifted off.

“Ethan, we’re here,” Mike said quietly, giving him a gentle nudge. Ethan slumped to the side, but didn’t wake up.

Isabella, who had already gotten out, doubled back and reached into the car. She pinched Ethan’s ear—hard. He jolted awake, blinking up in confusion. When he met Isabella’s dark, wide eyes, he frowned. “Did you just pinch my ear?”

She looked smug. “We’re here. You didn’t wake up when Mike called, so I had to use Grandma’s method.”

That was their grandma’s signature move whenever she got annoyed at Ethan.

Ethan rubbed his ear, mumbling, “I haven’t slept in two days. I’m exhausted.”

Isabella rolled her eyes. “If you’re planning to work yourself into an early grave, at least make sure you’ve written a will.”

Ethan went quiet, stung. All she seemed to care about now was his money. She didn’t care about him at all. And it was his fault. He’d lost the Isabella who used to love him so completely.

“Let’s go,” Isabella said, already heading out of the car.

Ethan walked over to stand next to Isabella. “Let’s talk inside,” he said to everyone.

Jordan looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t get the chance. Ethan led Isabella toward the house, with everyone else following close behind.

Ethan’s attitude toward Adelina and her husband was much cooler than usual. Adelina noticed and leaned in to whisper to Natalie, “What’s going on? Did you and Jordan have a falling out with him? He’s usually so warm with us, but now he barely says two words.”

Natalie had no idea how to answer. Her parents had no clue she’d taken Isabella’s wedding gifts.

“Let’s just talk inside,” she muttered.

Everyone found a seat in the living room. Jackson didn’t bother with small talk. He looked at Ethan and asked directly, “Ethan, did you call us here because of Isabella’s wedding gifts?”