After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 868

The two brothers exchanged a glance before Ethan let out a quiet laugh.

He nudged Jeremy on the arm and whispered, “Don’t go. If you leave, it’s just me and her in here. If Isabella hears about it, she might get the wrong idea, and that’ll ruin my chances of getting her back.”

He stepped aside, letting Jeremy come in.

Jeremy, always up for a bit of drama, walked right in. Ethan closed the office door behind them.

They headed to the sofa and sat down across from Natalie.

Natalie was a little calmer now. She wasn’t crying anymore, but her eyes were still red.

When she saw Jeremy walk back in, she understood why. Ethan had called him back because he didn’t trust her alone with him anymore.

He really didn’t love her now. She felt it. She’d known for a while, but she didn’t want to let go, always thinking that growing up together meant their bond was unbreakable, that nobody could ever take her place in Ethan’s heart.

She’d been wrong. Ethan wasn’t waiting for her. He’d already moved on, walking straight toward Isabella instead.

“Natalie, I’ll get you some water,” Jeremy said, getting up and heading to the kitchenette. He came back with two glasses of warm water and a tray of pastries and fruit.

“Here, have some pastries. Ethan always keeps some in here,” Jeremy said.

Natalie looked at the pretty little pastries. They looked delicious, but she recognized instantly that these weren’t the ones she used to love. Back then, Ethan would have his family’s pastry chef make her favorites, and Susan would send them to the office just for her.

He always kept her snacks and fruit on hand, just in case. Most of what he offered clients was actually picked out for her.

Now, everything was different. The fruit had changed. The pastries had changed. It was all new.

Harold had told plenty of little lies to help Isabella. Ethan couldn’t deny that Harold treated her really well.

He had to admit, Harold’s feelings for Isabella were probably just as strong as his own.

Natalie took a sip of water. She didn’t touch the pastries or the fruit, even though they looked amazing.

But they were from Isabella’s shop.

This was Ethan’s way of caring for Isabella, supporting her business. Isabella’s transformation, her success, all of it was thanks to Ethan’s help. Without him, she might never have felt brave enough to leave him.

She cleared her throat, coughing softly to interrupt the brothers’ conversation about pastries. Maybe they could talk about something else, at least while she was still in the room.