After I Stopped Loving Him (Isabella and Ethan) novel Chapter 967

Compared to seeing a movie, Harold was honestly way more excited about going shopping with Isabella. To him, it felt like a real date.

Actually, tonight kind of was a date. Dinner, a movie, wandering around the shops together—how could it not be?

Once that thought hit him, Harold couldn't help but feel happy. It was like waiting for Isabella all this time was finally paying off. If everything went well, maybe they'd get married by the end of the year. Or next year at the latest. He’d dreamed about marrying her for so long.

“I just want to walk around,” Isabella said. “I don’t need anything, I just haven’t gone shopping in ages and it sounded nice.”

Harold smiled at her, a little soft around the edges. “Alright, let’s park at the theater and then just wander the streets for a bit.”

Isabella didn’t mind his suggestion at all.

So they started walking, no destination in mind, just taking it easy.

“Isabella, is it okay if I hold your hand?” Harold asked, sounding a bit nervous.

Isabella was caught off guard for a second and didn’t say anything.

Harold blushed a little. “I mean, we know each other so well, but I didn’t want you to think I was being pushy or taking advantage. I just thought it was polite to ask.”

Isabella let out a small laugh. “Harold, even if you haven’t dated much, you’ve seen how these things work. I didn’t expect you to be so… innocent.”

His cheeks turned even redder. “I just want to respect you.”

She looked at him and shook her head, smiling. “You really are the whole package. You’re kind, patient, and you actually care about how I feel. I can’t believe you’re still single. I seriously lucked out with you.”

But Isabella didn’t care what anyone thought anymore. She was over it. Harold was a good guy, and she liked being with him. So why not give it a shot? Her mom always said the divorce wasn’t her fault. Why should she punish herself because of Ethan’s mistakes? Why miss out on someone truly worth her time?

Isabella felt lighthearted all evening.

But that night, she slipped back into an old nightmare. Memories of her past life, her death, kept haunting her. She tossed and turned, crying out for help in her sleep, her pillow soaked with tears.

When she finally woke up, her face was wet and she was drenched in cold sweat. She turned on the light, got out of bed, grabbed a pack of tissues, and wiped her face.

It had been so long since she dreamt about those days. Why now?

Was it because Natalie was still out there, stirring up trouble? Maybe it was because the person who hurt her was still alive. Maybe that nightmare was a warning—her danger hadn’t really passed.