After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 1005

“The people behind the kidnapping weren’t just random criminals. There’s an organization involved. I’ve already handed everything I have to the police. They’re doing everything they can to track them down.”

Anyone who dared lay a hand on Isabella, anyone who hurt her, would pay for it. He’d make sure she got justice, no matter what.

Just because he and Isabella were divorced didn’t mean she was fair game for anyone else. The divorce had been a mistake, something he'd done in a moment of anger. The second he held that divorce certificate, watching Isabella quietly pack up three years of their life for good, he regretted it all.

But admitting that, swallowing his pride and asking her to come back right away... he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He thought he could wait it out. Maybe Isabella would have a hard time on her own, maybe she’d come back to him, and then he’d have a reason to reach out. Then they could start over, remarry, go back to what they had.

If Isabella would just stop fighting with Natalie, their life could be normal again. Sure, he had tricked her into marrying him, he’d used her for his own reasons, but if she just stayed in her lane, if she kept quiet, he could give her a safe and comfortable life. She’d always be Mrs. Adams—a title, a position so many women would’ve killed for.

Without saying anything more, Ethan walked past Sophia and headed downstairs.

“Ethan!” Sophia hurried after him, grabbing his sleeve. He turned, frowning. “Sophia?”

“Ethan, I want to show you something. My chat with Natalie.” Sophia pulled out her phone, tapped open her social media, and pulled up the conversation. She handed the screen over to him.

Ethan scrolled through their messages, eyebrows raised. “There’s nothing special in here, Sophia.”

He looked up, his voice gentler. “But, Sophia, Isabella is gone. At least let her rest. Stop calling her names, give her some respect.”

Natalie had only messaged Sophia, asking if Ethan and Isabella really divorced and whether Isabella had actually left.

Natalie...

Could she have been the one behind Isabella’s death?

“Ethan... are you all right?” Sophia’s voice was small, careful. His expression was terrifying.

She’d known it would be hard for him the second the suspicion landed on Natalie.

“Ethan, I’m just telling you the facts. That day, Natalie asked me about the time Isabella left your place. That’s all I know. The timing just feels strange, that’s all...” Sophia trailed off, not daring to look him in the eye. She’d debated whether to keep this to herself but, seeing Ethan so shattered over Isabella’s death—and watching the whole Adams family scramble to find her killer—she couldn’t stay silent. She had her doubts, and her conscience wouldn’t let her keep them hidden.