Chapter 71 Strangers Sleeping in the Same Bed

Isabella had been holding in these feelings for way too long. Today, she decided to spill it all out.

"Sorry," George mumbled.

Isabella shook her head, "I don't need an apology, George. We got no emotional connection. I don't know your past, your personality, or your temper. I only know when you get off work, but not when you come home. We're practically strangers."

She took a deep breath to calm herself and added, "We're just two strangers sharing a bed. Is there any point in keeping this marriage going?"

She wanted a passionate love affair, but George and the Spencer family made her feel unworthy of love and scared to fall in love again. So pathetic.

"I know we don't know each other well enough, it's my fault." George slowly walked towards her. She hugged herself and turned away.

But he still wrapped his arms around her and said, "Give me some time."

"No need, I'm set on getting a divorce. Even if you don't agree, I'll file a lawsuit," Isabella said firmly.

George didn't say anything more, just held her gently. Isabella didn't resist, but tears welled up in her eyes.

Eventually, she walked out of the room with red eyes. Marlowe came forward and hugged her, "You okay?"

"I'm fine."

George also came out, his face as cold and emotionless as ever.

Marlowe thought, 'Maybe heartless people are all like this.'

Early the next morning, a moving van pulled up next door.

The workers were busy, and to Isabella's surprise, George was standing at the door supervising.

She had a bad feeling.

"George, did you buy this house?" she asked.

It was bought by someone named White.

"Rented," George said.

"Why did you rent a house here?" Isabella asked, incredulous.

George answered, "For work. It's convenient here."

The answer was flawless, leaving no room for criticism.

Isabella took his words with a grain of salt and walked out of the house. When she locked the door, she remembered George entering with a code yesterday and immediately changed the code before leaving.

With Christmas Day approaching, things were extra busy at the company. Isabella's department was particularly swamped.

Colleagues were buzzing about rumors of the company being acquired.

"Have you heard? Our company is gonna be bought by a big company. What'll happen to us? Will we all get laid off?"

"That can't be. If all the employees are gone, the company would be a shell."

"How could it be a shell? The big company has plenty of people to fill in, normal operations won't be a problem."

"Should we start looking for jobs early?"

"Better to send out resumes just in case."

Listening to her colleagues' chatter, Isabella rested her chin in her hand, uninterested. Marlowe came over and patted her shoulder, comforting her, "Don't listen to their nonsense. The acquisition process won't affect the employees."

Isabella glanced at Marlowe and said, "I'm not worried about that."

"Then why do you look so down?"

"Marlowe, did you know George moved next door to me? I don't know if it's intentional, but it's super awkward," Isabella said.

Marlowe frowned and said, "He totally did that on purpose. How'd your talk go that day?"

"We talked about divorce. He said he didn't sign the divorce papers, so it doesn't count. But I think our marriage is done, so I insisted. It didn't end well," Isabella said.

Marlowe pursed her lips and hissed, "So, he still loves you, right?"

"Loves me?" Isabella shook her head bitterly, "Maybe he did, at some point, for a moment, but his love didn't last."

"Did he fall for someone else?" Marlowe asked.

"I don't know."

"Then how can you divorce if you don't know? He doesn't seem like the type to fool around. Is there some misunderstanding between you two?"

Isabella hoped it was a misunderstanding, but life wasn't a TV drama with so many misunderstandings.

"Marlowe, he might have a kid with his ex-girlfriend. I don't want to be a stepmom, and he's too complicated. I really can't handle it," Isabella said.

"What?" Marlowe exclaimed, "Having a kid is a deal-breaker. If he and his ex-girlfriend have a kid, there's no guarantee they won't get back together because of the kid. It's really not okay."

"Exactly, even if our marriage continues, it will be very difficult. Why should I make myself suffer? I want to live a few more years," Isabella's eyes dimmed as she said.

"Do you still love him?"

Marlowe knew she shouldn't ask, but she couldn't ignore the conflict and complexity in Isabella's eyes. If she didn't love him, it wouldn't be so hard.

Isabella looked at Marlowe for a long time before moving her lips, "I don't want to love anymore."

"I get you," Marlowe gave Isabella a look.

They both smiled at each other.

When Isabella got home from work, Ivan was already waiting at the door for her.

"Ivan, you got off work early today," she said.

"Not much work today, just came to chat with you," Ivan said.

"Okay."

Isabella opened the door but couldn't help glancing at the neighbor's house.

The yard was quiet and cold.

No one was there, and there were no lights.

Inside, Isabella busied herself making coffee for Ivan.

"This coffee was given to me by Marlowe. It's really good, try it," Isabella said while busying herself.

"Okay." Ivan glanced at the neighbor's yard and asked, "This morning, I saw him moving. Did he move next door to you?"

Isabella understood that Ivan was referring to George and smiled lightly, "George said he rented the house."

"Is he still not over you?" Ivan asked.

"Have your coffee." Isabella handed the coffee to Ivan and changed the topic, "Ivan, what do you think of Marlowe?"

"She's great." Ivan took a sip of the coffee.

Isabella leaned closer, "She's a year younger than you and has a great personality. Are you interested in pursuing her?"

Ivan finally understood that Isabella was trying to set him up, "Not interested."

"You don't like Marlowe?" Isabella was disappointed.

"It's not that, it's just..." Ivan looked into Isabella's eyes, and she understood, "Isabella, you know I..."

"Ivan." Isabella interrupted him, "We will always be family."

Ivan looked intently at Isabella and said, "Isabella, we can be more than that."