After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 204

“Dad, I’m heading back to work.” Jordan stood up and left without waiting for his father to start in on another lecture.

Cynthia didn’t have much to her name. Normally, Jordan barely gave her assets a second thought. He only brought it up now because he was in a bad mood.

The truth was, he had never really accepted Cynthia, even though she’d always treated him kindly. He saw her as someone who was here for one reason—to clear the way for Isabella, to make sure she had the perfect future. And Cynthia had pulled it off. She didn’t have to do anything obvious, just hold her ground. With her position secure, Isabella could easily find a great match.

All the property Cynthia had now would end up with Isabella sooner or later anyway.

But at the end of the day, his father still called the shots at The Lane Group. Jordan knew better than to go too far and risk making his father angry. That wouldn’t end well for anyone.

His dad always talked about how much Cynthia had sacrificed, mostly referring to the fact that her family made her get sterilized before marrying into the Lane family. But Cynthia agreed to it herself. You can’t complain about choices you make. If you want something badly enough, you put up with the price.

Jordan didn’t stick around to hear any more. He just walked out.

Jackson watched his son leave and let out a long, helpless sigh. He hadn’t given Cynthia much, and what he did give all came out of his own private savings. Jordan was just so narrow-minded. The Lane Group probably wouldn’t last long once it was in his hands.

But for now, there was no one else to take over. His illegitimate son, Kevin, was only ten. Far too young to be anyone’s successor.

Jordan’s suspicions weren’t wrong. Jackson did have a son outside his marriage, and he’d kept Kevin and his mother hidden so well that even Cynthia was in the dark. Cynthia’s own family only ever insisted she be sterilized, but it hardly mattered. If Jackson wanted more kids, he could always have them elsewhere.

The Lane family was a big operation. One heir would never be enough.

Jackson figured he should set aside more money for Kevin, just in case Jordan ever ran the company into the ground. At least then, Kevin would be taken care of. Cynthia had her rental income, so she wouldn’t have to worry either.

…

Susan hesitated, then added, “He’s got so much on his plate, always rushing around, and he’s been exhausted lately. The past couple of days, he’s had a bad cold too.”

She glanced over. “You used to make him soup all the time, Isabella. Why don’t you anymore?”

It was clear Ethan wanted her special soup, but he was too proud to ask. So Susan brought it up for him.

Isabella shrugged. “He never comes home for meals anyway. He’s always out at some business dinner, eating all kinds of gourmet food at fancy hotels. I doubt he’s missing my soup.”

She used to bring him soup all the time. After their wedding night, though, she just couldn’t find the motivation. If Ethan wanted soup, he could always get Natalie to bring it. He’d probably enjoy it more.

Susan went quiet for a moment, then said softly, “Soup you make yourself, and bring to him, just has a different taste. When Ethan drinks it, it’s like honey. It makes him feel at home.”