After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 727

She texted Jordan, asking when he’d be home. He answered that he was still out drinking with clients, probably wouldn’t make it back until one or two in the morning, and told her not to wait up—just get some rest.

She got up, headed to the bathroom, and filled the tub with warm water. Soaking for half an hour helped her unwind a bit, but when she went back to bed, sleep didn’t come easy.

She managed maybe an hour before another nightmare jolted her awake.

When she opened her eyes, tears were already streaming down her cheeks. The dream had rattled her so badly she was crying in her sleep. Wiping her face roughly, Natalie clenched her jaw, her whole body tense with anger. She punched the bed and muttered under her breath, “Isabella, one day, I’ll make you pay for everything I’ve suffered.”

After two nightmares in a row, there was no way she could fall back asleep.

She switched on the lights and sat on the sofa, staring into the quiet of the night.

Then she heard the front door open.

That had to be Jordan.

Standing up, she walked out to the balcony to check. Sure enough, his car was in the driveway.

She turned on her heel and walked toward the main entrance.

A few minutes later, she opened the front door—and stopped short. It wasn’t Jordan standing there. It was his secretary.

Natalie’s mood soured instantly. She’d never liked Malvina. The woman was just as young and pretty as she was, and Natalie had complained to Jordan about it more than once. He always said Malvina was good at her job, that a new secretary might not measure up. So Malvina stayed.

Now, with Natalie glaring at her, Malvina just smiled politely. “Jordan drank too much tonight. He’s in no shape to drive, so I brought him home.”

“You weren’t drinking?” Natalie asked, her voice stiff.

“No, I wasn’t at the dinner,” Malvina replied.

Of course, Malvina couldn’t take Jordan’s car. Natalie didn’t offer to call her a cab, either. How Malvina got home wasn’t her problem.

Malvina walked out of the gated community and caught a taxi from the street outside.

Natalie locked the front door behind her and went back to the sofa, settling down next to Jordan.

He was slumped against the couch, eyes shut.

“Jordan,” she called softly.

No response.

She called him again, giving his shoulder a gentle push. This time, his eyes fluttered open. Even through the haze of alcohol, he recognized her face right away. He reached for her, pulling her into his arms and nuzzling into her neck, holding her close.