After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 803

She and Ethan had already made a deal. Once her mom and uncle came back, Susan would move out and return to the Adams family. Ethan agreed to it without any fuss.

Isabella had checked in with her mom, who promised she’d be home next week. As soon as her mom got back, Susan could leave. That meant Ethan wouldn’t have anyone inside the house anymore. The bodyguards who looked after security always stayed outside. They didn’t come into the main house. Even back when Ethan was the one in charge, he never allowed the bodyguards inside without his say-so.

Rain started pouring outside, heavy and loud, with the wind rattling the windows.

Isabella got up to close them, and Harold joined in to help. After ten minutes of running around, they both flopped back onto the living room sofa. Isabella looked out at the storm. “Rain, wind, thunder, lightning. It’s wild out there.”

She was honestly grateful they’d left the banquet early. Even though everyone had a car, driving home in a storm like this would have been a total nightmare.

Harold took a sip of water and then set his glass down. “I’m the one who called Stephanie.”

Isabella blinked, surprised. “You called her? How did she get here so fast?”

“Stephanie’s been living at Jeremy’s place lately, trying to push him into getting married.”

Harold glanced at Isabella. “Ethan got jealous. He even had his bodyguards block my car so I couldn’t catch up to you. I was worried he’d do something reckless to hurt you, so I had to call Stephanie for help. She’s surprisingly reasonable when it matters.”

Isabella looked at Harold, her voice soft. “Ethan’s always giving you a hard time, in public and in private, all because of me. Harold, I’m sorry. You’re caught up in all this because of me.”

She knew Harold and Ethan had been friends for years, but now, because of her, that friendship was gone. Their companies, which used to work together, were slowly cutting ties. Isabella felt guilty. It seemed like Harold was paying a high price just because he liked her.

Harold shook his head. “Isabella, don’t say that. If you keep blaming yourself, I’ll get upset. This is my choice. You can’t carry that weight. I knew what I was getting into when I decided to pursue you. I knew it meant going up against Ethan. But I’m not backing down. I like you. That’s not going to change. Nobody can stop me.”