All Chapters of After The Divorce, She Became The Nation’s Sweetheart: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

The van hummed softly along the highway as it made its way toward the airport.The midday sunlight drifted through the windows, bright and warm, brushing over Isabelle’s profile as she checked the mirror.For the fourth time.Rina watched her for a long, deadpan second before finally bursting into laughter.“Oh my god—” she poked her arm, “you’re already beautiful, okay? The mirror isn’t going to suddenly decide otherwise.”Isabelle quickly came to her senses. She snapped the compact shut, embarrassed as she hadn’t expected Rina to have noticed it.“I wasn’t checking. Something just felt… off.”Rina arched a brow, clearly unconvinced. “Mmhm. Totally.”Then, grinning, she leaned closer. “You meticulously dressed up today. Carefully curled your hair. That cream sweater that makes you look soft and expensive. Natural makeup that still screams ‘I tried.’” She paused dramatically and looked at Isabelle pointedly. “You and that man from yesterday… got an appointment?”Isabelle immediately f

The moment Isabelle’s phone rang, the group all glanced toward her with varying degrees of curiosity.Isabelle gave them a polite nod.“I’ll take this over there.”She stepped a few paces aside—far enough that Sophia and Faye couldn’t overhear, but close enough that Chris and Vincent could still faintly catch her voice if they tried.She answered quietly.“…Riven?”His reply came immediately, low and steady.“Where are you right now?”Isabelle blinked and looked around.“I just arrived. Still at the airport… the arrivals hall.”She paused, confused by his tone.“…What’s wrong?”Riven exhaled through the speaker. “Wait there.”Isabelle’s breath caught. She glanced instinctively around the bustling hall again, suddenly aware of the possibility—“…Can you see me right now?” She muttered with disbelief.There was a moment of silence before he answered.“I saw the situation outside. It isn’t safe for you to use the main exit.”Isabelle held her phone quietly, unsure what to say. The concer

Isabelle flinched, her breath catching the moment Riven’s voice brushed the side of her ear.She spun slightly, her eyes wide with surprise.Riven stood just behind her—close, too close—one hand resting lightly on the counter near the cutting board, as if he’d been there for a while.Perhaps the space was too narrow, because she suddenly felt cramped by his close presence. She instinctively leaned backward, her heartbeat jumping violently.“Riven—” she whispered, startled.What was he doing?The man was unusually calm. As if he didn’t notice her panic, he said lightly,“I said… let me help.”Isabelle’s brain had short-circuited.She didn’t fully register his words before speaking.“Y-you can’t whisper like that!” she blurted.Riven paused.Then, he tilted his head, a faint crease of amusement at his brow.“…Whisper like what?”Isabelle opened her mouth, then closed it again.Mortification crawled up her neck as she mumbled under her breath—“Y-you’ll make my heart act up again…”Riven

Later that morning, Isabelle trudged listlessly down the stairs for breakfast. She had finally remembered what happened the night before and that realization only made her want to dig a hole and bury herself in it.How could she have grabbed him… and asked him to stay?Her face burned but she managed to keep calm. She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead like a soldier marching to her death.But surprisingly, she didn't need to panic because Riven was not at the table.Only, Aimee was already at the table nibbling on toast, swinging her legs under the chair. The little girl looked up and blinked at her with wide, innocent eyes.Isabelle was immediately relieved and her face brightened up. “... Good morning,” she greeted the girl as she took a seat opposite her. Aimee tilted her head with a smile, nodding back in greeting.Isabelle exhaled as she looked around the dining before asking Aimee, whisperingly, “Where is your daddy?”The girl looked around cluelessly before shaking her head

Isabelle's brows twitched lightly.Her phone screen dimmed as she let it lower onto her lap gently.“Yes,” she said calmly. “Why?”Her simple response unsettled the group of nosy women. They exchanged looks again, hesitation flickering in their eyes, as if no one wanted to be the first target.Finally, the woman at the front folded her arms and sniffed.“Well… we were just curious. It’s not very common for a mother to be so… distant.”As she spoke, she glanced over her shoulder for support. Another woman stepped in almost immediately, eyes sliding to Isabelle’s face.“Your child is out there waiting for the race, but you’re… sitting here with another man.” Her tone was dripping with false concern as she folded her arms. “I remember last time, your son ran to Miss Tiffany instead of you. It caused quite a stir.”Isabelle’s interest finally stirred at that.That had been one of the most painful moments she’d had with Ryan.Her fists slowly tightened, but she kept her expression neutral