After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 674

Natalie knew all about it.

She was there the day they went to the civil office to start their divorce paperwork. The cooling-off period was only thirty days, and she had been counting down each one. That was exactly why she showed up today. She wanted to see them get their divorce certificate with her own eyes.

She brought gifts with her, pretending it was an apology just so she’d have a reason to come. And honestly, she did owe Ethan an apology. The whole plan with Sophia to drug Isabella had backfired, hurting Ethan instead.

When Isabella pressed charges, it was Ethan who stepped in and helped Natalie avoid a prison sentence. Instead, she just got detention.

“Ethan, what’s this? Are you having second thoughts about the divorce? Or did Isabella change her mind and decide she wants to stay married to you?” Natalie walked up to Ethan, her tone soft and worried. “Whatever’s going on, you can’t smoke like this. It’s not good for you.” She glanced at the pile of cigarette butts, sighing. “Isabella doesn’t even care about you. If there’s nothing between you and her, just get it over with. I tried talking to Isabella, but she just shut me out. Now she acts like I’m her worst enemy.”

“I seriously don’t get it. Ever since I joined the Lane family, I thought I treated her just fine, but she hates me so much.” Natalie seemed genuinely hurt for a second. “Yeah, I know the drugging thing was wrong, but it wasn’t like I wanted to hurt her. Sophia was the one fighting with her, and she wanted Isabella to be embarrassed. She asked me for help, so I got the stuff. It was supposed to be a prank, not whatever Isabella thinks it was. Now she acts like she wants me gone for good. Since I got out, I haven’t even dared to go outside. And when I do, I have to cover up completely because I’m scared reporters might catch me. My reputation is ruined.”

Ethan turned to look at her. He didn’t say anything, just stared. His eyes were cold, so unfamiliar that Natalie suddenly felt nervous.

When she was released from detention, the only people waiting for her were Jordan and her parents. Ethan hadn’t come. In that moment, Natalie had felt a knot in her chest, scared that Ethan was done with her for good.

Ethan pushed the gifts away. “I don’t want them. Take them back. What happened is over, and I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Natalie, I’m really not in the mood for this. You should go.”

Natalie tried to sound innocent, always hinting that it was Sophia’s fault. But Ethan knew the truth. He had the evidence, and Sophia had told him everything. Natalie was the one who planned it all. She wasn’t innocent at all.

Sophia could be stubborn and unreasonable, but she wasn’t nearly clever enough to come up with something so underhanded. She told Ethan that Natalie was the one who convinced her to go after Isabella that day. There was even a phone recording of Natalie urging Sophia to go through with the plan.

Ethan never pushed the matter further. Partly because he couldn’t stand the thought of Sophia going to jail, and partly because of the history he shared with Natalie.