After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 157

He didn’t even give Isabella a chance to speak. Turning to Natalie, he said, “Come on, let’s go home and get you changed. Your dress is a mess.”

Natalie just nodded, quiet and obedient.

“Benjamin, I’m sorry, but we’ll have to leave first,” Jordan added, glancing apologetically at the host. Benjamin wasn’t just anyone. He was older, respected, practically like family. He’d stayed out of the argument, but he’d seen everything.

Isabella had boldly insisted on checking the security footage, looking like she had nothing to hide. On the other hand, Natalie seemed eager to smooth things over, which made her look guilty. But this was a family matter. Isabella was Mrs. Adams, and Natalie was her sister-in-law. It wasn’t Benjamin’s place to step in. He just watched Ethan take charge.

“It’s alright. If anything, I should apologize. I didn’t host well, and Natalie ended up upset. Let me treat you both to dinner sometime, to make up for tonight.”

“Benjamin, this wasn’t your fault,” Jordan replied, trying to ease his mind.

Benjamin personally walked them to their car, watched as the driver pulled away, and only then went back inside.

By now, the crowd had scattered. After seeing Ethan’s stormy expression, nobody dared stick around.

Ethan was in no mood to stay, either. Normally, he never lingered long at these parties. Tonight was different, though. It was Isabella’s first time out as Mrs. Adams. He’d planned to stay a bit longer, let her meet more people, help her make connections. But now, after all that drama, his mood was shot. He was completely fed up with Isabella.

He walked up, took her hand, and said in a low voice, “We’re going home.”

He didn’t bother to ask if she wanted to leave. He just pulled her along, not giving her a choice.

Why did Ethan marry her instead of picking one of the countless wealthy heiresses who were a perfect match for him? The Lane family had their own children. There was no way they’d treat Isabella like one of their own. She was the most insignificant member of the family, with no real standing. She simply wasn’t good enough for Ethan.

Those who secretly liked Ethan were especially harsh, blaming Isabella for dragging him down and ruining his reputation. Natalie was her sister-in-law, after all. Throwing juice on her was just out of line.

But the most important thing everyone realized was this: Isabella’s position wasn’t secure at all. Ethan didn’t defend her. He just listened to Natalie and, no matter how much Isabella tried to explain, still made her apologize.

Now all the society ladies knew exactly how to deal with Isabella. She might have the title, but she had no real power. No one needed to bother getting close to her.

The truth was, the Adams family elders never wanted Ethan to marry her. People whispered that Isabella must’ve used some trick to win him over. But a marriage built on manipulation? Everyone knew that would never last.