After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 74

“I still think Ethan cares about Isabella, even if he’s not showing it,” Harold said, tapping his fingers on the table. “You could hear it when he started complimenting her kite. His whole tone changed.”

Jesse rolled his eyes a little, but there was a smile tugging at his lips. “Whatever feelings he has, that’s his business. They’re married now, and they’ve got a whole lifetime ahead of them. Who knows? Maybe he’ll actually fall for her in time. But listen to me, Harold. Don’t even think about catching feelings for Isabella. I get it, she’s amazing, but she’s Ethan’s wife. Unless they split up, she’s off-limits. If that day ever comes and you still like her, I’ll be cheering you on. But until then, let it go.”

Harold hesitated, a little too long. “It’s not like that. I just feel bad for her, that’s all. I’d never go after a friend’s wife. That’s just not who I am.” His words sounded firm, but deep down, even he didn’t quite believe them. Being the family heir didn’t mean he was clueless. He knew perfectly well there was something about Isabella Lane that was starting to get to him.

Jesse gave him a look, soft but knowing. “Come on, Harold. We’re both men here. We’ve known each other forever. I get it.”

Harold let the silence stretch for a second, then changed the subject. “Ethan said he and Jordan Lane are going out on the water tomorrow. He invited us, but I turned him down.”

Jesse looked relieved. “Good. The last thing I want is to spend a day on a boat with Jordan Lane. He and I just don’t mix, so why force it? Besides, the Lane Group and the Mason Group are rivals. If they didn’t have that deal with the Adams Group, they’d never stand a chance against us.”

Part of Jesse’s grudge against Jordan was all about business. Both of their families were in the same industry, both were next in line, so of course they butted heads. The only reason they both kept close with Ethan was because he was always fair. No matter who brought what to the table, if a project didn’t fit, Ethan’s company wouldn’t touch it. He never let his personal feelings get in the way, and Jesse respected him for it.

Ethan never got involved in their rivalry either. He never talked badly about Jordan to them, or vice versa. He kept it clean.

“You know,” Harold said, thinking out loud, “I bet the only reason the Lane Group gets so much business from the Adams Group is because Ethan wants Natalie to have a good life after she gets married. If her family does well, Natalie gets to live in luxury.”

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