After I Stopped Loving Him novel Chapter 1096

She instinctively paused her steps.

Sensing her sudden anxiety, Harold immediately reached out and wrapped his hand around hers. "Don't be nervous," he murmured softly. "They're great, I promise."

She had met his mother before, but his aunts, uncles, and grandmother were completely new faces.

Barbara smiled encouragingly. "Just treat it like your own home. No need to be formal."

The siblings kept their voices low, but the elders in the room caught the movement and all turned their attention toward the doorway. Mustering her courage, Isabella let Harold lead her into the room.

"Grandma, Mom, Dad. Isabella and Cynthia are here," Harold announced, proceeding to introduce Isabella to the rest of the family.

Isabella greeted everyone with a polite, radiant smile. Cynthia and the others followed suit. Samantha immediately stood up, warmly ushering Cynthia over to sit next to her, while Arthur invited Zachary and Amelia to take a seat.

Salome looked visibly older and more fragile than Stephanie Adams, lacking the Adams matriarch's brisk, commanding energy. She sat on the sofa, looking slightly lethargic, as if she might nod off if her children weren't actively engaging her in conversation.

But at the sound of Harold's voice, she perked up. She lifted her head and studied Isabella closely. After a thorough assessment, she suddenly understood exactly why her eldest grandson was so captivated.

The young woman was breathtakingly beautiful, but more than that, she carried herself with an incredible elegance. She radiated confidence and an undeniable magnetism. It was no wonder the Adams boy was drowning in regret after their divorce.

Salome patted the space beside her. Pearl, who had been sitting there, immediately slid over to make room for Isabella. Harold naturally took the seat on his grandmother's other side.

As Isabella sat down, Salome took her hand, looking her over once more with an approving gleam in her eye. "Do you mind if I call you Isabella? You have a wonderful aura about you."

Being this close, Salome could see the bright, clear energy in Isabella's features. Elite families cared deeply about the energy a newcomer brought into their home, and Isabella's presence felt like an absolute blessing—the kind that brought prosperity and harmony.

"Of course, I'd love that," Isabella replied warmly.

Without warning, Salome slipped a stunning vintage bracelet off her own wrist. She took Isabella's hand and gently pressed the heirloom into her palm. "This bracelet was part of my wedding trousseau. It's one of my absolute favorite pieces, and I want you to have it as a welcoming gift."