After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 87

“It’s my fault,” Ethan said quietly. “When she gets back, I’ll apologize.”

He knew he’d messed up. He’d said things to Isabella that cut deep. He treated her like a stepping stone, just a convenient way to see Natalie. When he got sick, he worried about passing it to Natalie, but never even considered Isabella. No wonder she was so hurt.

Still, Ethan couldn’t believe she’d really fallen out of love with him. She had to be saying that just to get a reaction. Love didn’t just disappear overnight. He’d loved Natalie for years, even when he knew there was no future. It wasn’t something he could just walk away from.

Isabella loved him. Even if he broke her heart, he didn’t think she’d give up on him so easily. She was probably just angry, pulling away to make him notice her. And, honestly, it was working. He found himself thinking about her more than ever.

Jordan frowned. “Even so, she shouldn’t have left you alone while you’re sick.”

“She was upset,” Ethan replied, almost without thinking. “She just needed some space. She wasn’t out having fun or anything.”

Natalie picked up on the way Ethan defended Isabella. The knot in her stomach tightened. She’d gotten used to being the center of Ethan’s world, to having all his attention. The idea of him and Isabella actually getting close was something she couldn’t stand.

Jordan had every reason to want her gone. Back then, when she was still Mrs. Adams, the Lane family had to show Ethan some respect. He kept her locked up in the basement, calling it punishment. Looking back, maybe he was protecting her from Jordan’s rage. But once the divorce went through, she walked away with nothing. No more Adams family to protect her. Her mother had turned her back. She couldn’t go home. That gave Jordan the perfect chance to make a move.

Those memories haunted her. She’d wake in the night remembering Ethan claiming her body, buying her a grave so she could rest in peace. He’d whisper that the world was too cruel, and she shouldn’t come back for another life.

Everything that happened was because of Ethan and Natalie. So Ethan was sick now? Good. Let him suffer. She hoped his fever burned him up. If he died, she’d be a wealthy widow. She’d spend all his money on young, handsome men, just to spite him.