After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 532

“Ethan, put out the cigarette and sign these papers for me, will you?” Frank sounded tired but determined. “You can’t just keep avoiding this. Isabella isn’t going to let you hide, either. She got discharged today, so I bet she’ll show up tomorrow to deal with all the paperwork.”

Ethan took a slow drag, blew out a cloud of smoke, and finally asked, “Is tomorrow the weekend?”

If it was, maybe he could buy himself a little more time.

“It’s Thursday.”

Ethan didn’t say anything. He just sat there, lost in thought, until finally he got up and headed back to his desk. He crushed out his half-finished cigarette and sank into his chair.

Frank followed him and sat down, watching him for a moment. “Want some water?”

“Actually, could you make some tea? I haven’t slept well in days. I’m running on coffee and tea at this point. Let’s have a couple of cups.”

Ethan needed a moment to pull himself together before getting back to work.

Frank nodded and left for the break room. A few minutes later, he came back with a tray, the teapot still steaming. He set everything down, poured Ethan a cup, and poured one for himself.

“This is your own doing, you know,” Frank said quietly. “Who are you trying to impress with all this moping? If you knew you couldn’t let Isabella go, you should’ve never told her why you really married her. Things could’ve been different.”

“She’s just getting started. She’s making her own money now. She doesn’t need you anymore. If you want her back, you have to be genuine. She’s not coming back for anything less. The truth is, you’ve lost your advantage.”

Frank looked at Ethan, his voice softer now. “Why did you tell her everything, anyway? And on your wedding night? You hurt her more than you realize. Now you’ve left yourself no way out.”

Ethan was quiet for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper. “I didn’t love her back then. I just wanted to use her. But she loved me. I married her, but I never planned to actually be with her. I told her the truth that night so we wouldn’t have to… you know, actually be together.”

He let out a short, bitter laugh. “Back then, I was scared she’d make me be a real husband. Now, I wish I could, but she doesn’t care anymore.”