After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 905

No matter how kind Ethan was to her now, she couldn’t shake off the lingering pain from her last life. That shadow just wouldn’t let go. She knew she couldn’t go back to him. Honestly, the best she and Ethan could ever be in this life was the kind of distant friends who only reach out for birthdays or holidays, always polite, always keeping a safe distance.

“Harold’s a good guy. If his family can accept you, then go for it,” Isabella said, her tone calm and certain. “But if his parents aren’t on board… then just forget it. I really don’t have the strength or the will to fight with in-laws again.”

Cynthia looked like she was about to say something, but she stopped herself. Memories flashed in her mind—the endless battles with her first husband’s parents after they got married, and then, after she married into the Lane family, there were more fights with Jackson’s parents. They made her life miserable too. It wasn’t until five years into that marriage, after both of Jackson’s parents had passed away, that Cynthia finally felt a little peace in the Lane family. Two marriages, two sets of in-laws, and neither had ever treated her kindly.

“Mom, Jackson remarried,” Isabella said, almost hesitant. “He and Deborah made it official. He’s started taking her to all those business dinners and parties now.”

Saying it out loud made Isabella’s chest tighten. It just felt so unfair. Her mother had spent twenty years working to hold the Lane family together, doing everything right, and now she just had to hand it all over to someone else.

Cynthia closed her eyes. Her voice was soft, almost resigned. “That’s his life. He and Deborah have been in love for ten years. Their son’s already ten. They finally got married—it makes sense he’d want to take her out and show her off.”

“And Deborah used to be his secretary. She knows his business, knows how to help him at those events. I never did. I just stood there, not knowing what to do or say. I was never any help at all.”

She took a breath. “Isabella, your dad and I are divorced. We’re on our own now. You don’t need to keep me updated on what’s happening with his family. I really don’t want to know about it anymore.”

She paused, then a small, wry smile touched her lips. “But if things ever blow up over there, if Jackson’s life turns into a mess, you can tell me about that. I wouldn’t mind hearing that my cheating ex-husband is getting what he deserves.”

She still felt bitterness when it came to Jackson. That would probably never change.

Isabella scooted closer, slipping her arm around her mom’s waist the way she used to when she was little. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll let you know if anything juicy happens.”

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