Strangers When We Meet Again

Sophie's outburst drew a crowd of onlookers.

Isabella's expression turned cold. "I didn't. She did it herself..."

She tried to explain, but before she could finish, Ethan had already swept Sophie into his arms.

"I'm taking you to the hospital first!"

He rushed off without sparing Isabella a single glance.

...

When Isabella arrived at the hospital, she saw the doctor speaking with Ethan.

"Don't worry, Mr. Cross. Miss Shaw is fine—she just needs some rest."

Ethan visibly relaxed. When he turned around, he saw Isabella.

He looked surprised and walked over to her gently.

"Bella, what are you doing here?"

Isabella got straight to the point, "I came to tell you that I didn't push Sophie just now. She framed me."

Isabella hadn't wanted to get entangled with Ethan and Sophie.

But she refused to take the blame for something she didn't do, so she came to clear her name.

Ethan's hand stiffened.

The next second, he said softly, "It's okay. I'll apologize to Sophie on your behalf, and we can put this behind us."

Ethan tried to take Isabella's hand and leave.

But Isabella wouldn't move.

She looked up at him in disbelief.

"Apologize? Why should you apologize? Ethan, didn't you hear what I just said? I didn't push Sophie! She deliberately—"

"Enough!"

Before Isabella could finish, Ethan cut her off, unable to contain himself any longer.

"Sophie isn't that kind of person!"

The last trace of color drained from Isabella's face.

"She's not that kind of person?" Her earlier attempt at explanation suddenly lost all strength. She smiled weakly, her voice trembling. "So Ethan, you think I am that kind of person?"

Seeing Isabella's pale face, Ethan felt like his heart had been stabbed.

He panicked instantly and grabbed her hand.

"Bella, that's not what I meant. It's just that Sophie couldn't possibly risk her own body to frame you at a time like this, because she..."

Ethan's words suddenly stopped short, and he changed direction.

"What I mean is, you definitely didn't do it on purpose. Maybe you didn't notice there were stairs behind Sophie, so..."

The more he explained, the more hollow his words sounded.

Even Ethan gradually couldn't continue. Finally, he could only look at Isabella and say almost wearily, "Bella, can we not talk about this anymore?"

Isabella looked up at him.

She suddenly remembered when she and Ethan were in high school together. Other students, jealous of her academic progress, had falsely accused her of cheating.

Ethan had believed her without question and even dragged everyone who had gossiped about her to apologize to her face.

She had thought that even if Ethan betrayed her, their years together would at least be worth mutual trust.

But now he wouldn't even trust her character.

Something inside her finally collapsed completely. She lowered her head and said quietly, "Fine."

Ethan seemed surprised that Isabella had given in so easily. After a moment of shock, he put his arms around her and spoke as if coaxing a child.

"I knew my Bella would be reasonable."

Reasonable?

Isabella smiled weakly.

She simply didn't want to explain anymore.

After all, explanations were for people who mattered.

And she had completely stopped caring about Ethan.

...

Over the next few days, Isabella began preparing divorce papers.

She sent the signed divorce agreement and all the photos the private investigator had taken to her lawyer.

The lawyer reassured her over the phone.

"Don't worry, Miss Winters. With these photos, the divorce is a sure thing. Even if you lose your memory, I'll handle everything properly for you."

Isabella nodded. "I'm counting on you for the divorce."

She hung up the phone, but when she looked up, she saw Ethan standing in the bedroom doorway.

He grabbed her hand, looking alarmed.

"Divorce? Isabella, who's getting divorced?"