After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 683

Divorce isn’t exactly something to celebrate, so there was no reason to bring a crowd. He didn’t want anyone to see how much this hurt him.

“Grandma, I’ll handle the paperwork with Ethan,” Isabella said to Stephanie when she heard Ethan had arrived. She pushed open the car door and stepped out, having already decided not to accept the money Stephanie had offered.

Stephanie got out too. When she spotted Ethan’s car, she felt a sudden urge to go over and give it a good kick. Why did he have to be so ridiculously punctual?

She sighed. There was no changing what was coming. Sooner or later, they’d have that divorce certificate in hand. She was sure Ethan didn’t want to be here at all, but he’d promised Isabella. He didn’t want to break his word, so no matter how much it hurt, he still showed up.

“Isabella, I’m sorry I’m late. Did I keep you waiting?” Ethan apologized as soon as he stepped out of his car. When he saw his grandmother, he greeted her quietly. He wasn’t surprised she was there. He knew she didn’t want him and Isabella to split up, even though she always seemed to take Isabella’s side.

Stephanie stared at Ethan for a long moment, her energy fading. “Go take care of your business. I’m too old for this. I’m going home.” She turned to Isabella and softened a bit. “Isabella, come visit me when you have time. I’ll miss you.”

“Okay,” Isabella promised.

Stephanie turned back to her car and the driver pulled away quickly.

After Stephanie left, Isabella glanced at Ethan. “Let’s go inside.”

“Isabella.” Ethan’s voice was low. He looked at her, saying her name like he was trying to hold on to something.

Isabella had already started walking but turned back. “What is it?”

Ethan took a few slow breaths. “It’s nothing.”

Without another word, Isabella walked inside.

They were quiet for a couple of minutes before Ethan finally followed her.

She was about to go back to her phone when he spoke up again. “You got the invitation to the party in a couple of days, right?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“Are you going to go?” There was hope in his voice. He was the one who’d hinted to the host to invite her. He just wanted more chances to be around her.

“Mr. Baker must think pretty highly of me to send an invitation, so of course I’ll show up. Ethan, but I won’t be going as your wife.”

“I know,” Ethan said softly.

“My company has a few new projects. Would you be interested in working together?” Isabella looked at him for a long moment, then finally shook her head. “Ethan, we just got divorced. Emotions are running high. I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to work together right now. It would be too easy for our personal stuff to mess with business. Maybe when you get married again, we can talk about it.”

“I’m not getting married again. Not unless it’s to you.” Ethan’s voice was quiet but intense. You could hear the longing in it, and the hope he wasn’t ready to let go.