After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 76

Susan didn’t really respect her. She just kept things polite on the surface. Ethan was barely ever home, so Isabella didn’t have to fuss over him, and her monthly allowance always showed up on time. Honestly, what was there to complain about? She’d have to be out of her mind to actually want to go back to the Adams Estate.

Ethan looked straight ahead as he walked, his voice calm but firm. “You’re my wife, legally. No matter how my family treats you, that doesn’t change. From now on, I need you to think about the Adams family’s reputation in everything you do. I’m not asking you to make us look good, just don’t embarrass me. That’s all.”

He was the head of the family. Looking after their reputation was his job.

Isabella let out a little sigh. “I get it. I’ll be more careful.”

They walked quietly for a moment, one behind the other.

Ethan broke the silence. “I paid Harold Carter back for the kite.”

“Good. I didn’t want to owe him anything. I tried to give him the money right away, but he told me to forget it and called it a gift.”

Ethan paused. “If you want something in the future, just buy it yourself. If you need more money, let me know. I’ll send it to you. Don’t let anyone else pay for you. I know I don’t love you, but we’re married. I can’t have people thinking I can’t even buy my wife a kite.”

He added, “And if you want to go fly kites, tell me. If I’m free and the weather’s good, I’ll take you. You don’t need anyone else to show you how.”

Isabella nodded. “Alright. Next time I’ll just ask Mr. Carter to add me on social media so I can pay him back online.”

His face darkened. He was her husband. Wasn’t she supposed to take care of him if he got sick? How could she just say no like that?

“You don’t even like me,” Isabella said. “If I tried to help, you’d just complain that I’m doing everything wrong. Getting you to take medicine would be impossible. The only person who can talk you into it is Natalie.”

She didn’t have that kind of power over him, and honestly, she didn’t want to try.

Ethan opened his mouth, ready to argue, but nothing came out. He knew she was right. Every time he got sick, he’d whine about how bitter the medicine was and refuse to take it. He wouldn’t take pills, wouldn’t get shots. He’d just wait it out or call Natalie Gates to come coax him into taking his medicine.