After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 1021

How could he stand the thought of Natalie going to prison, or even facing the death penalty?

“That’s enough for now, Ethan. Just don’t talk, okay? You really need to rest, you’re still so weak.” Jennifer’s voice was full of worry.

Ethan’s eyes stayed locked on Isabella. Tears slipped silently down his cheeks. There was so much he wanted to say, so many things left unsaid between them, but he just didn’t have the strength. All he could do was look at her, grateful that she was right here, alive, not just some memory.

Isabella held that gaze for a moment, then turned to the others. “Stephanie, Jennifer, can you give us a minute? I want to talk to Ethan alone.”

Jennifer looked hesitant, worry in her eyes. “Just… don’t be too hard on him, Isabella. Ethan’s barely holding on.”

Isabella nodded. “Relax, Jennifer. I’m just going to talk about things only the two of us understand.”

Stephanie trusted Isabella. She wasn’t Ethan’s wife anymore, but she’d always been kind. When Ethan had his accident, Isabella traveled all the way to be at his side. Stephanie called her again after Ethan was out of danger, and Isabella had come right back, no hesitation. Stephanie was sure Isabella wouldn’t hurt Ethan, no matter what had happened before.

Stephanie stood up and turned to Jennifer. “Let’s go. Let them have some time alone.”

She gave Harold a look. Harold nodded at Isabella, trying to be supportive, even though things between them had changed. “If you need anything, Isabella, just let us know.”

Now the room was quiet, just Ethan and Isabella.

Isabella pulled a chair closer and sat next to the bed. She grabbed a tissue and gently wiped away the tears on Ethan’s face. “While you were unconscious… did you dream that strange dream again?” Her voice was soft.

When she mentioned Natalie, something changed in Ethan’s face.

Isabella noticed, and her voice softened. “Did you finish the dream? Did you see who really killed me… was it Natalie?”

Ethan’s lips trembled. He forced out a warning. “Stay away from her. She…”

Natalie. Just her name sent a chill down his spine. In his dream, she’d been a monster—ruthless, deadly. She killed Isabella. She killed Cynthia. Even the car crash that killed the kidnappers was all Natalie’s handiwork. According to Jordan, she planned to get rid of the Lane family’s maids too, because some of them had seen her push Cynthia down the stairs.

Ethan had always known Natalie wasn’t the sweet, gentle person she pretended to be. It was always just an act. Maybe he thought she was a little fake, a little selfish, but never a criminal. Never a killer. But in that dream, she was something else entirely—cold, heartless, ready to do anything to get her way.