After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 685

“Isabella, I know this might feel out of the blue, but I’m serious. I’ve liked you for a long time, even if I didn’t realize it right away. By the time I figured it out, you were already married to Ethan. I couldn’t come between you and him, so I just watched from the sidelines and honestly hoped you’d be happy together.”

“But he let you down. Instead of happiness, he only brought you pain. It hurt to watch, but I kept my feelings to myself because I didn’t want anyone thinking you were being unfair to Ethan. I just didn’t want to make things harder for you.”

“Now you and Ethan are divorced. You’re free, and I finally have the right to go after you.”

“Isabella, I love you. Please, give me a chance to show you how much.”

Isabella held his gaze for a long moment, then gently pushed the bouquet back to him. “Harold, I really appreciate how you feel, but I’m just not ready for another relationship. Not right now. Let’s stay friends, okay?”

She knew Harold’s feelings were real. She’d have to keep a little distance from him after this. Last time around, she hadn’t known him well, but this time she understood him a bit better. He was nicer than Ethan, sure, but still not someone she could really match up to. Most of her money had come from Ethan, and only a tiny bit was her own. There was no way the Carter family would ever accept her.

She wasn’t being insecure, just realistic. Her failed marriage with Ethan was proof enough. A marriage where the families didn’t match up was always going to fall apart.

Even after her rejection, Harold didn’t seem discouraged. “Isabella, I know you’re not ready to start something new. I’m not asking you to say yes right away. Chasing after you is my choice, and it’s totally yours whether you want to give me a chance.”

As long as she didn’t avoid him or freeze him out, he felt like he could be happy. He’d kind of expected this. She’d already told him she wasn’t planning on dating anyone soon after the divorce, maybe not ever. He was patient. He’d wait. He believed that one day she’d say yes. If he never confessed, she’d never know how much he cared. Ethan wasn’t giving up either, still trying to get her back and remarry her. This time, Harold wanted to compete with Ethan fair and square.

“Come on, I’ll drive you back to the office.” Harold pulled his bouquet back. Since she wouldn’t take it, he wasn’t going to force it on her. But from now on, he planned to bring her flowers every day. The day she accepted them would be the day he’d know he had a chance.

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