After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 896

Her relationship with Harold kept getting warmer. Every time he brought her flowers, she never knew what to do. Taking them felt awkward, but refusing seemed rude too.

“You really don’t have to feel pressured,” Harold told her, smiling a little. “It’s just a small gift. Didn’t cost much at all.”

He looked at her, his eyes full of concern. “Honestly, I just wanted to make you smile. That’s all. I’m sorry about what happened last night. I know it upset you.”

She shrugged. “I was mad, sure, but I’m over it now. Actually, Natalie came by earlier. She said she was pleading for Nadine, but honestly, she’s always so smug when she talks to me. The Franklin family sending her to talk was just asking for trouble.”

Isabella and Natalie had always been at odds.

It was almost funny, really. The Franklins sending her worst enemy to plead for Nadine? That was never going to work. Natalie didn’t even pretend to be friendly. She just blamed, insulted, and threatened Isabella, like she always did. Maybe Natalie hadn’t realized yet, but things had changed. Isabella wasn’t going to put up with it anymore.

“One minute she’s waving around a promise for a new car, the next she’s handing me ten grand and calling it enough for repairs. Do I look like someone who needs money for repairs?”

“You didn’t agree to it, did you? I had a feeling she’d try something like that. The Franklins probably thought you’d show her some respect, since she used to be your sister-in-law.”

Harold pressed the elevator button and they stepped inside together.

“I told them last night I wasn’t interested in settling.”

“Good. If you don’t want to settle, then don’t. Nadine crossed the line. She needs to face the consequences.”

“If the Franklin family bugs you again, just tell me. I’ll take care of it.”

Isabella smiled. “Thank you, Harold. But I’ve got this.”

He gave her a hopeful look. “Isabella, I really want to help. We’re friends, right?”

She grinned. “I appreciate it. I really do. If something comes up that I can’t handle, you’ll be the first one I call. But as long as I can manage on my own, I’d rather deal with it myself.”

She glanced at him. “Did you have something in mind?”

Harold’s voice softened. “My grandma wanted me to invite you over to our place for dinner.”

Isabella paused. She could guess what Salome was thinking. After a moment, she shook her head. “I have to work this weekend. I need to be on set and make sure everything runs smoothly.”

“It’s just a meal,” Harold said, sounding a little desperate. “My grandma just wants to meet you, that’s all. There’s nothing else to it.”

The truth was, his grandma still wasn’t thrilled about the idea of him dating Isabella, but Harold had been stubborn. He told her Isabella was the only one he wanted, that no one else mattered to him.

After seeing how serious he was, and knowing he’d been chasing Isabella for a while, his grandma had finally agreed to meet her.

His mom, on the other hand, had no objections. She’d said it was his life, and if Isabella was who he wanted, then he should go for it.