After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 1144

"Isabella," Ethan asked, thoroughly frustrated. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

"You're not stupid. In fact, you're brilliant. But you have one fatal flaw: whenever it involves your first love, your IQ plummets into the negatives. Stupid doesn't even begin to cover it."

"Your eyes work perfectly fine until it comes to Natalie, and then you're completely blind. Do you have any idea how many absurd things you did because of her?"

Ethan was momentarily rendered mute before defending himself in a low voice. "I... I didn't do that many absurd things. Yes, I used to love her fiercely, but that's in the past. I've moved on."

He hadn't fully let go before, but during his coma, the entire bizarre dream had played out in its entirety. Through it, he finally saw Natalie for who she was, and his feelings for her died completely.

In the dream, Natalie had even considered murdering him for his money.

That chilling realization had frozen Ethan's heart completely.

He had given her his absolute all. Even after she married Jordan, he had continued to love her, spoil her, and protect her—hurting Isabella in the process.

In the end, he was just a resource for Natalie to drain.

If he hadn't been the heir to the Adams family, if he hadn't had money and power, she probably wouldn't have given him the time of day.

"Whether you've moved on is your business. I don't care. Ethan, back to the main point. In your dream, York didn't show up until the very end. Why is he here now in reality? And years early, at that."

"Do you think Natalie colluded with him, and that's why he's here?"

Ethan shook his head. "I don't know."

He was stuck in this bed, unable to even walk. He was utterly useless right now.

"I had Keith look into him, but we didn't find much. York's real background has been scrubbed clean. He operates under the guise of legitimate business now. That's the front he's using."

"Nat simply doesn't have the kind of leverage needed to summon someone like him."

Isabella fell silent.

If she could remember the alternate timeline, perhaps York had experienced the same thing after his execution. That would perfectly explain his early arrival.

If York remembered the past timeline just like she did, was he here to seek revenge on Ethan? Or to prevent his own downfall?

York wasn't a good person.

In the previous timeline, he had no direct connection to Natalie; she had hired his subordinate, Dave.

But York was executed because Ethan had relentlessly pursued him to avenge Isabella.

And Isabella's death was caused by Natalie's jealousy.

If York remembered everything, would he spare Natalie? He probably hated her most of all.

A ruthless underworld boss wouldn't care about collateral damage. He would resent Ethan, and he might even harbor hatred for Isabella, the woman whose death had triggered it all.