After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 437

Jackson let out a long sigh. “I’m worried that after everything that happened today, things are going to get tense between Ethan, Jordan, and Natalie. I should’ve stood up for Isabella back then.” If he’d just stopped Natalie from keeping Isabella’s wedding gifts, none of this drama would have happened. Even the best friendships can’t survive this kind of mess without leaving some scars. People might smile and pretend things are fine, but deep down, there’s always a sting.

“Who knows if Ethan and Isabella are even going to make it,” Cynthia said quietly. “I can’t speak up for anyone, and honestly, I doubt Ethan would even listen.” She knew Isabella was dead set on leaving. And honestly, Cynthia thought that was for the best. Better to be alone than trapped in a loveless marriage for the rest of her life. Isabella was still so young, she had her whole future ahead of her. Maybe, after the divorce, she’d find someone who truly loved her.

As for Cynthia, she was done with marriage. The only reason she’d married Jackson was to give Isabella a safe home and use the Lane family’s name to keep the George family at bay. Now Isabella was all grown up, independent and strong. Cynthia had no plans to ever get married again.

“Ethan’s done so much for Isabella. I’m sure they’ll end up together for life,” Jackson said, a note of hope in his voice. He knew Ethan still had feelings for Natalie, but the way Ethan had stood up for Isabella, even if it meant fighting with Jordan and Natalie, showed where his loyalty was. Their friendship might look okay on the surface, but the truth was, it had already cracked. Ethan’s heart was shifting more and more towards Isabella, and Jordan and Natalie were slowly being pushed aside. After all, Isabella was supposed to be his partner for life. Ethan knew what really mattered.

Cynthia couldn’t help rolling her eyes on the inside. If Isabella had her way, she’d cut ties with Ethan completely and move on tomorrow. Sure, Ethan had helped her get the wedding gifts back, but that didn’t mean he was truly over Natalie. Still, Isabella’s life was her own business. Even though she and Cynthia had patched things up and were closer now, Isabella still turned to Laura whenever something big happened, rarely coming to Cynthia first. It was going to take a long time to fully heal that old wound. Cynthia didn’t mind. Once she was divorced, she’d spend the rest of her life looking out for Isabella, making up for everything she’d missed before.

Deborah laughed a little. “You’re always so busy, working non-stop from morning till night. I just want you to take care of yourself, so I made you something healthy.”

In her mind, Deborah was already planning her future with Jackson. Once she married him, she’d cook for him every day, make sure he was well fed. He was getting older, after all. If he put on a little weight and his health started to slip, it would be Kevin’s time to step up. And once Kevin started taking over, the Lane Group would eventually fall into her hands. All she had to do was wait.