After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 1020

He could still remember the first time he met Isabella. She’d left him speechless. When Ethan had brought her over to meet him and Jesse, her smile was radiant and genuine. She spoke with this clear, melodious voice, every word bright and full of life. She had a natural confidence, reaching out with a warm handshake as she greeted him, completely at ease.

He’d almost gotten lost in that dazzling smile of hers. It was a shame, what ended up happening to her.

Ethan hadn’t followed the others. He stayed right there at the grave, staring at Isabella’s photo, unable to move no matter how much time passed. The others didn’t try to call him back. The rain kept falling, slowly picking up until it shifted from a soft drizzle to a relentless downpour. Ethan just stood there, umbrella in hand, the water pouring around him. From far away you could barely see his outline through the sheets of rain.

If only there was a way to start over...

He would give anything for that chance.

***

Inside the ICU, tears slipped from the corners of Ethan’s eyes.

His fingers twitched. Then, slowly, he opened his eyes.

Where was he? Wasn’t he just at the cemetery? Why couldn’t he move?

“Doctor, come quick! Ethan’s awake—I saw him open his eyes!” Stephanie and the others had picked today to visit. When Stephanie saw Ethan stir, she broke down in relief and happiness, her voice shaking as she yelled for help.

The doctor rushed in.

Two hours later, Ethan was transferred to a regular hospital room. He was finally out of danger. After a terrifying week in intensive care, he’d somehow made it through.

He had no idea how scared his family had been all this time, dreading every second that he’d slip away and never wake. Even now, after regaining consciousness, his body felt fragile and empty. Once he was settled in the new room, exhaustion pulled him right back under.

Just realizing that made Ethan want to cry with relief, to laugh with pure happiness.

“Ethan, you just woke up. You’re still really weak, so please, save your strength and rest.” Isabella’s voice was gentle, careful.

By the look in his eyes, the joy and the way he said her name, Isabella had a feeling that while Ethan was unconscious, he’d once again dreamed about their past lives. She knew the feeling well. Her own last hospital stay had left her tangled up in those old memories, caught in that cycle of grief, unable to stop the tears from falling.

Stephanie said Ethan had woken up crying too. So Isabella was sure he’d relived all those memories.

She wondered if this time, he’d finally seen the whole story, and learned the truth about what happened back then. Was it really Natalie who had taken her life? If it was, what happened to Natalie in the end? Did she ever pay for it?

If Ethan ever found out it was Natalie who caused her death, would he still take a stand for Isabella? Somehow she doubted it. He loved Natalie so much. If he ever discovered Natalie was the one truly responsible, he’d probably do anything to protect her.