After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 989

Her ex-husband Ethan was out of the picture now.

Isabella smiled. “I’ll only give you half my heart, and keep the other half for myself.”

After what happened in her last marriage, Isabella had taught herself a valuable lesson. Love yourself first. This time around, with someone new, she wasn’t going to pour every drop of emotion into the relationship. She’d give half, and save half—just in case. That way, if this relationship didn’t work out, maybe it wouldn’t tear her apart the way her first one did.

Harold looked right at her. “I’m all in. I don’t mind taking the risk, and I’m not afraid of getting hurt.”

He wrapped her up in his arms, holding her as if he never wanted to let go.

Isabella didn’t pull away. She just leaned into his chest, silent and still, letting herself enjoy the moment.

Suddenly, the office door opened. Laura and Linda stepped inside, then froze when they spotted the two hugging. Laura grabbed Linda, hurried them both back out into the hallway, and closed the door behind them, trying to be discreet.

That brought Isabella back to her senses. She stepped out of Harold’s embrace, her cheeks turning a shade of pink.

Harold caught the blush on her face and laughed softly. “We weren’t doing anything, you know.” He grinned. “It was just a hug. We didn’t even kiss.”

He glanced at her lips and took a quiet breath. Someday, once their feelings grew deeper, he’d let himself kiss her. For now, he was happy that she’d agreed to give them a chance, to be his girlfriend. This was a good beginning.

He wasn’t in any rush—he’d waited this long, he could wait a few more months.

“Sit down,” Isabella said. “I’ll get you a glass of water.” It was her way of calming things down, distracting herself from all those heart-racing feelings.

That giddy leap had been impulsive, sure, but she didn’t regret it for a second. Giving Harold a shot was really giving herself one too.

She really was a walking treasure chest.

“Sometimes I just wonder when their person is finally going to show up,” Linda said.

Isabella leaned in and whispered, “Aren’t you paying attention? Douglas totally likes Melissa. You haven’t noticed?”

Linda whispered back, “I’ve noticed that he spends a lot of time with her, sure, but they don’t really seem like a couple to me.”

“It’s Douglas who likes Melissa,” Isabella pointed out. “I’m not so sure Melissa feels the same, or maybe she just hasn’t figured it out yet.”

Linda had no response, just stared and let out a soft sigh.