After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 7

Ethan pulled out his phone and sent Isabella a quick transfer of ten thousand dollars.

“All done,” he said.

Isabella’s phone chimed with the notification. She glanced at the screen, then shot him a bright, satisfied smile.

“Ethan, could you wait for me downstairs? Give me ten minutes, I’ll be right down.”

He started toward the door, then stopped and looked back at her. His lips tightened, and his voice was quieter this time. “Isabella, don’t call me Mr. Adams. It sounds too stiff, too distant. If you slip up in front of people, they’ll notice.”

He paused, watching her closely. “Just remember what I told you the other night. If you keep up the act and make everyone believe we’re happy, your allowance shows up on time, every month. No exceptions.”

At the mention of money, Isabella straightened up immediately. “Sorry, I won’t do it again, I promise. No more Mr. Adams, ever.”

“So, when does my allowance for this month hit my account?” she asked, eyes sparkling. Thirty thousand a month. That was more than most people earned in a year. Ethan was nothing if not generous.

She thought back to her past life, when she’d spent every cent he gave her just trying to win his affection. Gifts for him, presents for his family, little tokens for his friends. By the time he left, she had nothing. Not this time. This time, she was saving every penny.

With her monthly payments and the extra rewards for playing her part, her savings would pile up fast. In a year or two, she’d have enough to start her own business. Anything else she needed, she’d just ask him to buy. He’d already promised she’d never have to worry about money.

“It hasn’t even been a full month,” Ethan pointed out, a little annoyed.

She didn’t miss a beat. “But I’m already your wife. You said thirty thousand a month, so that’s a thousand a day. You can just pay me for the days left in the month.”

Isabella grinned. “Don’t worry, Ethan. You pay me, I’ve got your back. I’ll make sure no one suspects anything, and I’ll even help you find more chances to be with your unrequited love.”

He hated the way she said it so casually. He remembered their wedding night, how she’d cried for hours after he confessed the truth, how she’d clung to him until he fled to the study and slammed the door. He’d avoided her ever since. Now, seeing her like this, so calm, so focused on money, it was like she’d turned into a completely different person. No more tears, no more drama. She just wanted her pay.

Fine. If that’s what she wanted, he had plenty to give. As long as she played along and made it easy for him to see Natalie, he’d keep the money coming.

“Jordan will be there,” he reminded her. “Don’t let him pick up on anything.”

He didn’t say no to her offer to help him get close to Natalie. He just wanted her to be careful. Jordan had never really believed Ethan loved Isabella. Only after that over-the-top wedding did Jordan finally let his guard down, convinced Ethan had moved on from Natalie. Still, it stung. The three of them had grown up together, and just because Jordan ended up with Natalie, suddenly Ethan wasn’t allowed to be near her anymore?