After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 54

If she ever made enough money, she’d think about opening another shop.

Lost in her thoughts, Isabella didn’t realize Ethan had stopped. She walked right into his back and let out a surprised “Oof,” stumbling a couple of steps before she looked up. So much for paying attention. She quickly apologized, “Sorry.”

Ethan barely glanced at her. His lips moved like he was about to say something, but he stayed silent and just kept walking.

They headed into the house, one behind the other. The dining table was covered with plates of food, every single dish something Ethan liked. This was his place. He’d told her it was her home too, but she never really felt that way. She didn’t have a say in what happened here. Even the housekeeper, Susan, had more authority than she did. Meals were always made to Ethan’s tastes. That was just how it was.

In her last life, they’d been married in name for three years. Not once did her favorite dish make an appearance at the table. She wasn’t picky, but she had things she liked, just like anyone else.

Dinner was quiet. Neither of them said a word. Isabella ate quickly. By the time Ethan finished his soup, she was already putting down her chopsticks.

He looked up. “You’re finished?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t have any soup. I just ate fast.”

She had only touched two dishes, the ones that didn’t have bones or anything complicated. That made it easy to eat fast. Ethan took his time, having soup and picking through the rest.

“You go ahead and take your time. I’ll get the gifts ready,” Isabella said. She picked up her bowl and plate, planning to take them to the kitchen.

Ethan’s voice suddenly cut through the quiet. “Put those down.”

She stopped, startled.

“I don’t use those things, so I don’t have any to give her,” Isabella replied.

She never used fancy skincare, and she hardly ever wore makeup. Cynthia had once told her to pick up some big-brand skincare sets, but Isabella had laughed it off. Her salary barely covered the basics, never mind luxury products. She wasn’t going to pretend to be someone she wasn’t. Cynthia had offered her money, but she turned it down. She hadn’t taken a cent from Cynthia since she became an adult.

“I’ve given you sets before,” Ethan reminded her.

Isabella went quiet for a moment before answering. “Every time I brought them home, Natalie would say she liked them and ask to borrow them. My mom would tell me to just give them to Natalie, so I did.”

Natalie never really needed those things. She just couldn’t stand that Ethan had given Isabella something expensive, so she always found a way to take it for herself.