After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 686

Isabella paused, her gaze steady as she spoke to the two men. “No more fighting, you two.”

Both men replied at the same time. “We’re done. No more fighting.”

But that didn’t stop them from shooting daggers at each other the moment she turned away.

Without another word, Isabella grabbed her keys and left, driving off on her own.

She didn’t head straight back to the office. Instead, she made her way to the coffee shop.

Laura spotted her as soon as she walked in and hurried over. “Did everything go alright?” she asked quietly.

“Yeah, I got what I needed,” Isabella replied.

Laura let out a breath she’d clearly been holding. “Good. Now you can finally stop stressing about this.”

Isabella pulled her into a quick hug. “Laura, I feel like I’ve been reborn.”

“Reborn?” Laura blinked, then grinned. “Oh, I get it. Leaving a bad marriage behind is like being born again. It’s a fresh start. From here on out, your life’s going to be so much easier.”

“Exactly. It’s a new beginning. Things are only going to get better from here,” Isabella agreed, her smile genuine.

She hadn’t shared the real story with Laura, or even with her mom. The truth about her second chance was something she kept to herself.

They settled behind the counter together. Isabella took a moment to look around the shop. There were a few customers, not too many, just enough to fill about half the seats. Considering it wasn’t even the end of the workday, having that many was pretty decent.

Coffee tasted pretty similar no matter where you went. What really brought people back to Hearthside Coffee was the warm service, the cozy atmosphere, and those incredible pastries.

Cynthia’s laughter bubbled through the line. “Isabella, I’m having such a good time! With your uncle and aunt here, I have company, and we’ve been visiting so many places I always wanted to see. Now I finally have the chance.”

She went on, “We’ve tried all kinds of local snacks too. Everything’s so delicious.”

Isabella smiled, picturing her mom happy and carefree. “You should all stay and enjoy yourselves as long as you want. You don’t have any obligations now, so just do whatever you feel like. If my cousins need anything, just let me know. I’ll handle it so Uncle and Aunt don’t have to worry.”

Her oldest cousin had just graduated, while the other two were still in school.

“They’re living on campus,” Cynthia said. “As long as your uncle sends their allowance, they’re fine. Your cousin says he wants to find his own way. He doesn’t want you to set anything up for him.”

Isabella’s voice grew warm. “That’s really admirable. Let him give it a try. If he can’t find a job, he can always come work for me.”

She was in a position now to help her family anytime they needed it.