After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 447

Ethan woke up, took a hot shower, and changed into some fresh clothes. He stood in front of the mirror, carefully shaving until he looked like his usual charming self. Feeling a little more like himself, he grabbed his phone and left the room.

Susan, the housekeeper, was still around. When she heard him coming, she rushed out from her break room.

“Ethan, you’re finally up. You slept forever. You haven’t eaten all day, right? I’ve kept your dinner warm.”

Ethan glanced around the empty living room. “Where’s Isabella? Did Mike and the others already leave?”

Susan nodded. “Isabella left right after she brought you home. She said she’s swamped lately and won’t be back tonight. Mike took his team back to report to Stephanie.”

Ethan’s brow furrowed. He called Isabella. When she answered, he let out a quiet breath. At least she was still picking up.

He wondered if returning her wedding gifts would help fix things between them. He hoped so.

“Isabella, where are you?” His voice was deep, a little rough. “I’ll come pick you up.”

“I’m on set. You’re awake?”

“Yeah, just woke up. Took a shower. Susan said you aren’t coming home tonight. Don’t work so late all the time. Let me pick you up. We can grab some food, then go home together.”

There was a pause on the other end. “I already ate. I’m not hungry. I’ve got a ton to do, probably until two or three in the morning. I won’t be home tonight. You should eat something though. Susan’s still there, ask her to make you something.”

“Isabella.” Ethan’s voice was firmer. “I want to come get you and take you home.”

“If you’re really going to be busy until three, then I’ll wait for you until three.”

That place had always been their hangout.

Ethan’s reply was cool. “I have to drive later, so I can’t drink. You two go ahead. Jordan, don’t call me when you guys go for drinks anymore. You’re married now. I’d just be in the way.”

“Ethan, are we still friends?” Jordan sounded uncertain. “What happened today was my fault and Natalie’s. We know we messed up. Don’t worry, Isabella will get the rest of the wedding gifts back in three days, I promise. Please don’t let this mess ruin our friendship.”

“Natalie’s in a bad mood. She wanted me to bring her out for drinks and asked me to invite you. She wants to apologize in person.”

Ethan shook his head, even though Jordan couldn’t see. “Natalie should be apologizing to Isabella, not me. I’m going to pick Isabella up from work soon, so I can’t join you. Natalie’s upset, so take care of her. Put some ice on her face for the swelling.”

Hearing Natalie had been hit, Ethan couldn’t pretend he didn’t care. But he couldn’t let himself go there. Natalie was Jordan’s wife now. Whatever feelings they used to share, those days were over. The three of them could never go back to how it was before.