After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 139

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Isabella was stunning. On their wedding day, when she walked down the aisle in her white gown and a touch of makeup, Ethan found himself completely captivated, even if it was just for a moment.

Even after the wedding, when she slipped back into her usual simple clothes and bare face, her natural beauty still shone through. Honestly, if Isabella were the woman Ethan truly cared about, he might have hesitated to bring her out to social gatherings. He’d be worried someone else would see her, fall for her, and try to take her away.

But she wasn’t the one he loved... or at least, that was what he told himself. Still, it bothered him more than he wanted to admit.

He was staring out the window, cigarette in hand, when Isabella wandered over and asked, “Why are you smoking? Did someone get on your nerves again?”

Ethan hardly ever smoked. He only reached for a cigarette when he was in a bad mood. Even then, he usually did it outside, never indoors, since Natalie couldn’t stand the smell. Jordan had quit for Natalie ages ago, and Ethan had tried too, though not as thoroughly. Maybe it was a small act of rebellion… after all, Natalie had never chosen him.

“Just bored,” Ethan replied, his voice flat.

He stubbed the cigarette out in the ashtray and glanced at Isabella. “That dress…”

“What about it? Is it ugly?” she shot back, raising an eyebrow.

“No, it’s beautiful. It looks great on you. Your makeup is perfect, too. I was just wondering if you had something a bit more… understated.”

“You’re my wife,” he said quietly. “That alone makes you stand out. You don’t need to dress up so much. Otherwise, all eyes will be on you, and you’ll steal the spotlight from everyone else.”

“Let’s keep things low-key, Isabella.”

She looked down at her dress, then back at him. “All my dresses are simple. They’re nothing compared to Natalie’s fancy ones. And I’m barely wearing any makeup at all. If you really think I’m drawing too much attention, I can go upstairs, change into something casual, take off the makeup and jewelry.”