After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 648

“Why do I always screw things up?” Ethan ran his hand through his hair and let out a frustrated sigh.

Susan stepped out of the big villa next door. She had been hiding inside, watching Ethan try, and fail, to win Isabella over. Once again, she saw him say all the wrong things and push Isabella away.

She walked over and took in Ethan’s miserable face. With a tired sigh, she said, “Ethan, you’re going about this all wrong. You need to slow down and be patient.”

“Think about how you used to treat Natalie. You were gentle, you cared, and you really tried to make her feel loved. That’s the only way you’ll ever get through to Isabella. Not by forcing her, not by being controlling, and definitely not by pushing her around. No girl wants to feel cornered.”

Ethan stayed quiet, staring down at the ground. After a long pause, he finally muttered, “Susan, I’m scared she’ll choose someone else. When I get scared, I panic and I do stupid things without thinking.”

“Getting worked up isn’t going to help,” Susan said. “Let’s be honest. The way things are now, it’s mostly your fault.”

“Isabella’s already been hurt so badly. If you want her back, you have to show her you really mean it. No matter if she chooses you or not, you have to keep treating her right, just like you always did with Natalie. Natalie didn’t pick you, but did that ever stop you from caring about her?”

Susan paused, looking him straight in the eye. “Or maybe you don’t actually love Isabella. Maybe you’re just upset about the divorce because it hurts your pride. Is that what this is really about? You just can’t stand the idea of losing?”

Ethan shook his head quickly. “No, that’s not it. I… I really do care about Isabella.” He sounded desperate, like he was trying to convince himself as much as Susan.

He honestly didn’t want the divorce. He really wanted to fix things, to make it all right again. But Isabella wasn’t giving him the chance. They hadn’t even gotten their divorce papers yet, and she was already spending so much time with Harold.

A car suddenly pulled up, tires screeching as it came to a stop just ahead of her. Harold jumped out as soon as the car stopped, hurrying over to her side.

“Isabella,” he called, worry written all over his face. “Are you okay? Did something happen? You look so pale. And your lip… is that blood?”

“Harold, can we talk in the car?” Isabella said softly.

Without another word, Harold led her back to the car, gently opening the door for her before getting in himself.