After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 791

Since the divorce, Isabella never smiled when she saw Ethan anymore. At least, never in front of him.

But with Harold, she was different. She laughed, her eyes full of light.

That was proof enough of how much she couldn’t stand Ethan now.

He knew he’d messed up. He knew it better than anyone. But he was trying to change, really trying. Wasn’t it fair to hope for just one chance to make things right? To start over?

Ethan watched from a distance, unable to bring himself to interrupt her happiness. For now, he just stood there, silent.

Nadine, though, didn’t hesitate. She walked right over.

She had always liked Harold. Her family wasn’t as powerful as his, but they were still well-off, otherwise she wouldn’t have gotten an invite to this party. She and Natalie were best friends. Through Natalie and Ethan, she’d met Harold. It wasn’t love at first sight. It was the kind of feeling that grew slowly, the more she saw who Harold really was.

He was responsible, smart, and from a good family. He was set to inherit everything from the Carters.

So, little by little, Nadine fell for him.

She’d confessed once, heart pounding, but Harold turned her down.

Back then, Isabella and Ethan were still married. Harold kept his distance from Isabella. They hardly ever saw each other. No one would have guessed Harold liked Isabella, not even Nadine.

After getting rejected, Nadine blamed herself. Maybe she just wasn’t good enough. So she tried harder, pushing herself to be better, to be kinder to Harold and everyone in the Carter family. She hoped that if she kept at it, one day she might finally matter to Harold.

But as soon as Ethan and Isabella broke up, something changed. Harold didn’t hide his feelings anymore. He started chasing after Isabella, treating her gently, sending flowers, picking her up and dropping her off at work. Whenever Isabella needed help, Harold was there before anyone else.

“Harold, it’s just one dance. Won’t you do me this favor?” Nadine kept her smile, pretending not to notice his coldness. She turned to Isabella, her voice a little too sweet. “Isabella, can I borrow Harold for just one dance? I’ll give him back right after. Is that okay?”

Isabella’s answer was calm. “Nadine, Harold’s a grown man. If he wants to dance with you, that’s up to him. I can’t make that decision for him, so you don’t need my permission.”

“But he won’t agree! Isabella, please, just talk to him for me. It’s only a dance.”

“I’m sorry, Nadine. This is between you and Harold. He can decide for himself. If you want to dance, just ask him.”

“Isabella…”

“Nadine.” Harold’s voice was sharp now, his face cold. “I already said I’m not dancing. Please stop interrupting. Let Isabella and me talk. And don’t put her on the spot. Who I dance with is up to me.”