Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 228

Ethan snuggled Ines close, grinning, "We're grabbing dinner with the Galeana fam tonight, then crashing in the city. I'm about done with staying at the Base."

Ines felt Ethan skirting the issue. She distanced herself, pinning him with a look, "Ethan, you're always sidestepping with distractions. You think I don't notice? I just don't want to argue. If you don't come clean, I'm done."

Ethan looked at Ines' resolution, couldn't help but stroke her hair, "What if I told you, I was bought out with a wad of cash, would you believe that?"

"Ethan." Ines raised her voice, feeling a sense of powerless defeat. This man, when he didn't want to spill, there was no way to pry it open from him. She really didn't know whether to call him principled or just stubborn.

"Izzy, come with me, would you? You and your dad might need to sit down and have a serious talk. Plus, you haven't seen him since he got back. Don't you want to see how he's doing?" Ethan was inching closer to convince Ines.

"I've seen him already." Ines muttered.

She didn't tell Ethan that she had bumped into Hunter and Silas shopping for the baby.

Ethan frowned, "When did you see him? How come I didn't know?"

Ines was a little miffed, glaring at Ethan, "Why should I tell you? You keep secrets from me."

Ethan chuckled, hands on Ines' frail shoulders, looking at her earnestly, "Izzy, have you ever wondered why you don't care about other things I don't tell you, but when it comes to Hunter, you care so much?"

Ines turned her head, lips sealed tight, her mind in turmoil. She could feel her resolve softening. Maybe since she found out that Hunter was trying to protect her, she stopped hating him as much. But she was subconsciously avoiding facing it.

"Izzy, stop running from your feelings, okay?" Ethan said.

"Ethan, can you give me some time? Don't push me. I'm not ready to think about this." Ines this.

"Alright, but you have to come to dinner with me tonight. It's his birthday." Ethan said.

At this, Ines looked up at Ethan, "Who told you?"

"Silas did." Ethan said.

"He called you?" Ines asked.

Ethan looked at Ines, nodding slightly.

"He didn't tell me. Only Emma invited me for dinner. But she didn't mention it's his birthday." Ines said, slightly bewildered.

"He hasn't celebrated his birthday for years. Only when your mom was alive. But they were mainly focused on the Galeana Group, so birthdays weren't a big deal. Silas said they'd just have a simple dinner together. If they were too busy, they'd skip it. He probably didn't call you, feeling a bit sheepish. Seems like he's always troubling you whenever something happens." Ethan said. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Ines stayed silent, pondering for a while, then said, "Alright, let's go."

Excited, Ethan took her upstairs to change. She put on a slightly loose pale green dress, concealing her slightly protruding belly.

Ethan told Camela, who just emerged from the kitchen, "Camela, Izzy and I are having dinner with the Galeana family. We won't be back tonight and are staying at the house in the city. I'll bring her back tomorrow. Let the others know."

"Do I need to come with you?" Camela asked, concerned.

Ethan shook his head, "No need, Camela. It's just one night. I can take care of Izzy."

"Alright then." Camela said.

Ethan took Ines to the city. Regardless of their father-daughter relationship, they couldn't show up empty-handed for a birthday celebration. But Ines wasn't exactly enthusiastic. Ethan asked her what gift to buy, and she said, "Whatever."

"Izzy, you should show some sincerity, pick out a gift with care." Ethan said.

"Why bring a gift? My presence is the best gift." Ines said, slightly irritated.

Ethan chuckled, stroking Ines' hair, then pointing at an antique shop, "How about we get him an antique decoration?"

Ines glanced at the items in the shop, then pointed in the direction of the commercial street, "No need to go in, he might not like those things. We might as well go there and get a fishing rod. That might be more his thing." He needed to unwind a bit.

Ethan thought Ines made sense. He had no clue what Hunter liked. Might as well take Ines' suggestion. Even though she lost her memory, her intuition was still intact.

"How do you know he doesn't like antiques?" Ethan asked.

"I'm not sure, but I feel like he might not." Ines said casually.

Ethan laughed, "I can't think of anything better, let's go get a fishing rod. That way we can save some money." Ines didn't object, so they went to the nearby commercial street, and bought a full set of fishing gear on the seller's recommendation. Ethan looked at the gift in his hand, frowning slightly, "This gift is so lame, I'm embarrassed to present it."

"Then give it to me. I'll hold it." Ines said flatly.

"I was just kidding, I know you mean well, Izzy. You don't want him to work all the time; you want him to take a break." Ethan said.

"I just didn't want to spend money." Ines pouted.

Ethan pinched her face, saying helplessly, "Alright, cheer up. We're going to celebrate a birthday."

Hearing this, Ines looked at Ethan, flashing him a big grin, showing off her pearly white teeth, looking like she was about to bite him.

She growled, "How's this?"

Ethan was amused by her childlike antics, couldn't help but laugh. He gently pinched her cheek, "Izzy, you're a real character."

Ines swatted his hand away, "Stop making fun of me. I'm not in the mood. Let's go once we're done shopping, it's too hot."

Once in the car, Ines was out like a light in no time, her face going back to its peaceful and serene state. She looked like a completely different person compared to the one who was just throwing a fit. Ethan could only chuckle helplessly, his eyes, however, were filled with deep worry.