After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 572

As Ethan carried Isabella out of the hotel, he bumped right into Harold and Jesse.

The guys hadn’t joined the girls for dinner, but they’d both known about the get-together. Worried about the women they liked getting too tipsy, they’d timed it perfectly to come pick them up.

“Ethan?” Jesse sounded genuinely surprised. Harold, though, just looked calm, like he’d seen this coming all along.

Harold had always figured Ethan wouldn’t let go of Isabella so easily. Anyway, their divorce wasn’t official yet. Legally, they were still married.

“Jesse, Laura’s had too much. You’re just in time. Go upstairs and take her home,” Ethan said. He shot Harold a quick glance, didn’t bother with small talk, and carried Isabella right past them.

Harold watched Ethan for a second before following Jesse inside.

As they walked, Jesse couldn’t help but ask, “Didn’t they go file for divorce today? Why is Ethan still showing up?”

He’d honestly thought this might be Harold’s chance. Now it looked like that chance was slipping away.

“It was Isabella who pushed for the divorce. Ethan never wanted it,” Harold explained. “They went to the registry, but there’s still a cooling-off period. They’re not officially divorced yet. She’s still his wife.”

“He’s trying to win her back, keeping tabs on everything she does. It makes sense he’d come pick her up now,” Harold said. “I never really thought he’d give up easily. Same way he never really let go of Natalie, either.”

Jesse gave Harold a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Don’t stress about it. You still have a shot. Isabella’s totally over Ethan. I doubt she’ll ever go back to him. Once the divorce is final, you can go after her for real.”

“Yeah, I’ll start once she has the divorce papers. But she said she’s not interested in dating right now. She just wants to focus on her career,” Harold admitted.

“That’s her choice. But telling her how you feel and sticking by her, that’s up to you,” Jesse said.

“Linda, do you want us to give you a ride home?” Barbara asked.

“Thanks, but I’m good. I’ll just stay here tonight. I have a suite in this hotel. I’ll walk you out and then head up to my room,” Linda replied.

This was a White Group hotel. For Linda, staying here felt just like being at home.

Barbara grinned. “Alright, we’ll head out. Let’s catch up soon, okay?”

“Of course. Just give me a call whenever you have some time. I’ll make room in my schedule,” Linda said easily.

Out of all the socialites in Cabinda, Linda only really got along with Barbara and Melissa. Melissa was always distant though, cold with everyone. Linda had grown up surrounded by love, so she had her own pride. She wasn’t about to chase after someone who kept her at arm’s length, so the two of them never really connected.