After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 5

“I’ll just call you Ethan.” After everything he’d put her through in her last life, Isabella Lane couldn’t bring herself to use his nickname again.

“Today’s the day you visit your family,” Ethan said, his voice low and emotionless.

Isabella nodded. “I already told Susan I’d leave around noon. Didn’t she mention it to you?”

She knew why he was so eager. It wasn’t about being thoughtful or wanting to spend time with her. He just wanted to see Natalie Gates, the love he could never have. In her last life, right up until the end, Ethan had been absolutely devoted to Natalie, even though everyone knew Natalie and Jordan Lane were perfect together. He never stood a chance, but he just couldn’t let go.

Ethan frowned. “Natalie texted. She wants to know what time we’ll get there. She said everyone’s waiting. We should really get going.”

Isabella kept washing her face, completely unhurried. She had good skin, and she intended to look after herself. This time around, she had no interest in loving Ethan. She was more than happy to shine on her own.

“I’m not even their real daughter. Aside from my mom, who honestly cares if I show up?” she said lightly. “If we go too early, it’ll just feel awkward. I grew up in that house, sure, but I never really belonged. I always felt like an outsider.” She smiled softly. “Nothing beats being at home in your own space.”

The villa was decorated just how Natalie liked it, but Isabella didn’t mind. She’d lived here for three years in her past life. She knew it like the back of her hand. Deep down, she’d always thought of this place as home.

“Isabella Lane.” Ethan’s patience was clearly running out. “Stop with the excuses. Just get ready. No matter how they treated you, the Lane family raised you and paid for your schooling. You should show some gratitude.”

She barely seemed to hear him. She started applying a face mask, took her time smoothing it on, then walked out of the bathroom and sat down on the sofa.

Ethan was losing it. He marched over, grabbed her wrist, and yanked her up. His face was dark, eyes cold as he glared at her.

“Isabella Lane, I’m warning you. I’ll give you ten more minutes. If you’re not downstairs by then, don’t blame me for what happens.”

She looked him right in the eye, a teasing smile on her lips. “Oh? And what are you going to do? Rough me up?” She pulled her hand free. “If you’re in such a hurry, just go. I’ll head over at noon, say hi to my mom so she won’t worry, then come straight back.”