After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 485

If Deborah was in the wrong, he’d say it himself. Natalie didn’t need to step in.

In their first real showdown, Jackson had clearly taken Deborah’s side.

***

Isabella woke up to darkness outside her window. The person by her bed had changed. Now it was Ethan sitting there.

He’d set an alarm for five thirty, woke up, grabbed a quick bite, and then brought her dinner. When he saw she was awake, his voice was soft, worried. “Isabella, how are you feeling?”

“It hurts.”

The anesthesia was gone. Everything ached.

“Should I ask the doctor for some pain meds?”

“I don’t even know what they gave me. Aren’t you supposed to be resting at home? Why are you here?”

“And where’s my mom? Did Laura leave?”

Ethan leaned back. “Once I got here, I told Mom and Uncle to go home for dinner. Laura’s busy, so I sent her home too. I already ate. You must be hungry. I brought you something.”

“I had Susan cook your favorites. I told her to use less oil and salt, keep things light. The doctor said you need to eat bland food for a few days. Susan also made some broth. I brought you two bowls.”

He stood up. “Do you want to sit up?”

“I can do it.”

She tried, but the pain was too much. Ethan moved in to help her, and even though she wanted to push him away, she let him steady her.

He set up the little overbed table, unpacked the food from its containers, and arranged everything neatly in front of her.

“Start with the broth. It’s really mild. The doctor said it’s okay for you to have some. After a couple days, you can eat regular food again.”

“I’ll feed you,” Ethan said quietly.

He watched her eat. “If you like it, I can learn to cook for you.”

“Don’t bother. Your hands are better at signing contracts than using a frying pan. Stay out of the kitchen. You’d probably burn the whole place down.”

Ethan looked a little sheepish. “I’m not that hopeless. I’m just not as good as you. But I could learn. I could come straight home after work, skip the business dinners, spend more time in the kitchen. I’d get better.”

“Ethan, you promised. After I’m discharged, we’re getting divorced. You’re not planning to back out, right?”

They were ending things. What was the point of talking about the future? What was the point of learning to cook for her now?

Where was all this before?

She’d spent months finally letting go. She could face him now, knowing he loved Natalie, and not fall apart. And just when her heart was numb, now he wanted to be good to her.

She didn’t need it anymore.