After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 519

Ethan slid into the driver’s seat and pulled the door closed behind him. He didn’t bother waiting for a chauffeur. He just started the engine and drove himself straight to the hospital.

Natalie stood there for a moment, stunned. She couldn’t hide how upset she felt. Ethan’s attitude had flipped so suddenly and so completely that she could hardly wrap her head around it. Yesterday, he’d been his usual self, treating her just like always. How could everything change overnight? What on earth had happened that she didn’t know about?

She didn’t leave right away. Since she was already at the Adams estate, she figured she might as well check in with the family elders. Ethan had been at home all day, so the elders had to know something. Maybe she could get one of them to spill.

That hope didn’t get her far. Jennifer didn’t know anything, or at least she claimed not to, and Natalie couldn’t get a single useful detail out of her. Stephanie, on the other hand, practically shut her down after a couple of polite sentences. She said she had to help her youngest granddaughter with homework and made a quick exit.

Natalie almost rolled her eyes. Ava was still in grade school and had always been at the top of her class. She didn’t need help with her homework, and even if she did, Stephanie wasn’t the type to play tutor. That excuse was about as subtle as a neon sign.

Natalie thought she might have better luck with Sophia, but Jennifer had already sent her off to etiquette lessons. In the end, Natalie left empty-handed, her frustration simmering just under the surface.

***

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Isabella was digging into the huge dinner Linda had sent over. She was halfway through her meal when she sneezed—twice in a row. Someone must be talking about her behind her back, and not in a nice way.

“Isabella, Laura, isn’t my chef amazing?” Linda asked, grinning.

She glanced at the table, then laughed. “Looks like I’m late to the party. What am I going to do with all this food I brought? I had so many good dishes planned for you.”

Barbara and Linda exchanged a knowing look. They both understood what the other was up to, but neither said a word. They were both working hard to set up their brothers.

Isabella couldn’t help grinning, feeling spoiled and happy. “Come on, sit down and eat with us. I’m not even close to full—I can definitely eat more.”

Everyone burst out laughing.