After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 608

Isabella had no idea about any of this.

She and Laura stayed at the shop until eleven that night before finally locking up and heading home. Before they parted ways, Isabella reminded Laura that she wouldn’t be able to come in the next day. She had a meeting with Barbara and Linda about a possible collaboration.

Laura just grinned. “Don’t worry about it. Go take care of your stuff. I’ll handle the shop. That’s what we agreed on, right? You handle the company, I take care of the store.”

Things were a little easier for Laura. Isabella explained again how she still had to keep up with her novel updates. If she went over to the company, she’d have no time to write. With the shop open, someone needed to be there anyway. Laura could cover, and Isabella could squeeze in some writing time.

The studio was almost officially registered as a company.

“Be careful riding home,” Isabella reminded her as they stood at the door.

Laura’s place wasn’t far. She just rode her electric scooter to and from the shop every day. Isabella, on the other hand, drove. One of Ethan’s wedding gifts had been several cars, and she saw no reason not to use them. She figured if he wanted to atone, she’d take whatever he gave her. The more, the better.

Laura waved her off with a smile. “It’s only a couple minutes away, just past two traffic lights. You should get going too. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Isabella watched Laura ride off, then got into her own car and left.

Ethan had already moved out of the villa, so Isabella just went straight back there. She was used to living in that house by now. She’d promised Ethan she’d give Susan and the others a little time to move out, so she thought when she got home, Susan would still be there. The house would be lit up, maybe even someone waiting for her.

Susan was usually the live-in housekeeper. Sometimes she went home for a night, but most of the time, even when she was off, she stayed at the villa so she could help Ethan if he needed anything. With all the lights off, Isabella guessed Susan had either gone back to her own place or was already asleep.

“I didn’t forget anything. Susan’s off. She said she was going home tonight. Everyone else should be asleep.”

Ethan looked at her for a long moment. “Did you go to Harold’s house tonight?”

This villa was the one he bought, the one he’d called home for years. But now, after everything, he was just standing outside, waiting at the gate. The feeling hit him hard. For the first time, he really understood how much divorce could hurt both people.

Edward’s house had already been transferred to Ethan’s name. Susan spent her days over there now, cleaning and setting up the master bedroom with new furniture. Ethan still had to wait another month before he could move in. Even though the two houses were right next to each other, it felt like they were worlds apart. Isabella had shut him out, not just from her home, but from her heart.