After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 681

“If I don’t go with you, who will?” Natalie glared at him.

Jordan slid onto the couch beside her and gently took the ice pack from her hands, pressing it softly to her cheek. “Isabella will be there too,” he murmured.

Natalie’s eyes narrowed. “She isn’t even Mrs. Adams anymore. Why would anyone bother inviting her?”

“She’s had some success lately, running her own company now. Big or small, she’s the boss. It isn’t strange she got an invite.”

A cold look flickered in Jordan’s eyes. He lowered his voice. “Ethan has a lot of admirers. We can use that to our advantage. But this time, let’s keep it quiet. Not like with Sophia, leaving a trail of evidence everywhere.”

Natalie scoffed. “That drugging thing spun out of control so fast. I didn’t even have time to clean up after her. Sophia can’t keep a secret to save her life. We shouldn’t involve her again.”

“She’s Ethan’s sister, after all. Spoiled, clueless, can’t keep her mouth shut. She’s just not reliable.”

Natalie looked at him. “So what’s your plan?”

Jordan smiled. “You know how it is with women. Rivalries, jealousy—it’s always the same tricks. All we have to do is make sure all those admirers show up at the party. We won’t even have to do anything ourselves. They’ll turn on Isabella without us lifting a finger.”

Natalie didn’t reply.

Isabella had no idea Jordan and Natalie were already plotting against her for the party two days from now.

That afternoon, at two-thirty, she was waiting outside City Hall. She was alone.

Sitting in her car, she watched cars drive past, one after another. City Hall was right on the main road, with a small parking lot out front. There weren’t many spaces, but it was usually enough. People getting their marriage licenses rarely stayed long. They came, got their documents, and left. Since couples arrived at different times, the parking was almost always fine.

“Grandma, are you here to stop me and Ethan from getting divorced?” Isabella asked, her voice calm and direct.

“Would it make any difference if I tried?” Stephanie looked at her.

Isabella pressed her lips together and shook her head. No one could change her mind. The divorce was happening.

Stephanie sighed. “I hate to let you go. I never wanted this for you and Ethan. But I know you’ve made up your mind. And really, Ethan’s the one who let you down. I don’t blame you for leaving. I’m on your side.”

She paused for a moment, her voice softening. “But ever since you insisted on this divorce, Ethan’s been trying so hard to win you back. He does care about you, you know.”

“Grandma, staying apart is what’s best for us,” Isabella answered quietly. “You don’t need to try to talk me out of it anymore.”