After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 988

Harold eased his hold, gently moving Isabella back so she could look at him.

“Isabella.”

He looked at her, eyes soft. “Starting today, I’m done with business dinners at night. Let’s go on dates every evening, just the two of us. Wherever you want to go, I’ll be there. I want our time together to be sweet, something we both remember.”

Honestly, he’d never really experienced proper dating either. He wanted to know what real romance felt like.

“But if you skip out on business events, won’t that hurt your company?” Isabella asked, concern lacing her voice.

As CEO, there was always some work obligation calling.

Harold and Ethan both had their calendars packed. Their lives were full of endless meetings and responsibilities. Most heirs in wealthy families barely had time to date, so they ended up in business marriages. Usually, they’d known their future partner for years and just got together when the timing was right, hardly ever having the luxury of an actual romance.

It wasn’t that they never wanted to date. Life was just too busy, with both partners dedicated to their own careers.

Sometimes things got so hectic that even answering a call from family felt impossible.

Harold shook his head. “It’s fine. I’m still just the next in line at The Carter Group. I don’t fully run things yet. My dad still calls the shots, unlike Ethan, whose dad stepped aside already. So if I skip a few events at night, the company won’t even notice.”

“Honestly, my dad will probably just get more tired picking up the slack. If he knew I was finally in a relationship, he’d probably wish I spent my days with you, too.”

Being just over thirty wasn’t exactly old, but in the eyes of anxious parents, staying single at that age made them worry nonstop.

She was genuinely worried that Ethan might never give up.

Harold met her gaze. “No, I’m not afraid. No matter what you feel for me, it’s enough. If you were really just using me to get rid of Ethan, you would have done it a long time ago. You’re not the type to play games.”

She wasn’t newly divorced. She’d been divorced for a while, and even when Ethan wouldn’t leave her alone, she still hadn’t said yes to Harold. If she wanted to use him, she wouldn’t have waited until now.

Being used by Ethan had hurt her most of all. She hated that feeling, hated the thought of turning someone else into a pawn.

Despite everything she’d been through and all the changes, Isabella still had a gentle, kind side. Harold knew it. He trusted her completely.

He leaned closer, voice calm and steady. “Isabella, I’ll wait for as long as it takes. One day, you’ll love me with your whole heart. And when that day comes, there’ll be nobody else for you but me.”