Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 296

"This has nothing to do with me.” Ines declared firmly, but she knew deep down that her words lacked conviction.

"And who else if not you?" Ethan asked.

"Of course you. Don't forget, you're no angel either. You had me wrapped around your finger right from the start." Ines said Ethan eventually gave up trying to get the kids to settle down. After playing with them for a while, he reluctantly got out of bed.

When they got up, it was still early, and the others were still in bed. Ines knew that Ashley and Phoebe were late risers, so she didn't disturb them. She sent them a text message and then left the park with Ethan to wander around the town.

The town was not crowded in the morning, especially since it was the weekend and there were no office workers, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll.

After a while, Ethan suddenly said, "Oh, by the way, Izzy, Lucas got married last month. We've been busy, so he didn't bother us. We should pick out a gift for him.”

"Lucas just got married? I thought he was already hitched.” Ines looked at Ethan curiously.

Ethan shrugged, looking like he wasn't quite sure about the details, "That's what he said. They've been dating for many years. it seems.” "Have you met his bride? What does she like?” Ines asked

"I haven't met her. How about we call Lucas and ask?" Ethan said.

Ines gave Ethan an unhappy look, "You really don't care about your employees, do you? Lucas has been with you for so many years, and you don't even know his preferences. You're not doing a great job as a CEO.”

Ethan looked at Ines, seemingly finding her opinion a bit odd, "I don't see the problem here. Why should I be interested in a man's likes and dislikes? And as for other people's girlfriends, I'm even less interested.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Ines shook her head helplessly, unsure of what to say about Ethan. He really seemed to care about very few things.

As for Lucas, Ines was quite pleased with him and took great care in picking out a gift. However. after wandering around for a while, she realized she didn't know what to buy because she wasn't sure what the couple would like. In the end, they decided to play it safe and chose a set of jewelry.

When they got back, it was just in time for lunch. However, only Phoebe and Noel were in the restaurant. Ashley and Aaron were nowhere to be seen, apparently still asleep.

They first went back to their room to drop off their things. To their surprise, they saw Aaron coming out of Ashley's room. Seeing them. he looked a bit flustered. Ines was surprised and didn't know why that would be, while Ethan simply glanced at Aaron and asked, "Aaron. where's Ashley?”

"She's still asleep, won't wake up." Aaron said

Ines couldn't help but cough, and Ethan's face immediately darkened. Aaron was about to say something when Ashley came out of her room, her hair in disarray, “What are you all doing standing outside my room? Are you here to wake me up too? I don't want to eat now, just get me a takeout, I'll eat it in the car later. I stayed up too late last night."

Upon hearing this, both Ethan and Ines breathed a sigh of relief.

"You should get up now, it's almost noon. Not eating is bad for your stomach. If we miss the mealtime, the hotel won't serve lunch anymore.” Ethan said sternly.

"I got it. You're so annoying. You guys go first, I'll come down later." Ashley said.

After Ashley went back in, Ethan and Aaron went qutside. Ines knew they had something to discuss, so she ~ left her stuff in the room and went: down testhe restaurant to join ~ Phoebe. Phoebe and Noel were already eating, and they seemed to bein a rare state of harmeny, without their usual bickering.

Because Phoebe and Ashley shared a room, Ines couldn't help but ask Phoebe, "What was Ashley doing last night? Why can't she get up now?"

"Young people have so much energy these days. She was apparently talking to her boyfriend on the phone late into the night. I don't even know when she went to bed.” Phoebe said

"She was on the phone until late at night?” Ines asked.

Phoebe nodded and then said to Ines, "I think Aaron has some special feelings for Ashley. When I mentioned her talking to her boyfriend until late at night, his face changed. He said he was going to go up and get her to come down for lunch."

"I see. That's why we saw him coming out of Ashley's room earlier.” Ines said.

Ethan and Aaron went out to the balcony. Ethan looked at Aaron seriously and said, "Aaron, I'm starting to not understand you. What's going on with you and Ashley?"

Aaron chuckled, “Ethan, what do you want me to be with her?”

Ethan said, want, it's aboutwha Youre my brother. E can't quite-accept th between you two. If fee ings for her, how

youtwo apart? But if

your own heart, I keep your distance f you understand wha

f it really came to th nterfere too much. first time Fihan had

“It's not about what I

you want.

ven though I . e age difference you really have could I force you capt see

just hope.you'll

rom Ashley. Do t I'm saying?"

o

at, he wouldn't This was the clearly

expressecMiis stance to him. Aaron was taken aback, then admitted, > Ethan)! don't know. I just felt.abit uncomfortable when I hearcdshe has a boyfriend. I don't know what I feel for her. I've been thinkingabout it, but I still can't figure it out."

"Then think about it some more, and we'll talk when you have an answer." Ethan said.

“But I'm afraid of missing out. It was the same with Izzy. I couldn't distinguish her from Leila, so I didn't dare to act rashly.” Aaron said. After lunch, they prepared to go home. Ines was a bit reluctant to leave, feeling like she hadn't had enough fun yet.

Ethan pinched her face, "We can stay here for a while when we have more time. The air is really nice.”

Since the route home was not direct, Ashley chose to go with Aaron, while Noel took Phoebe home. On the way, Ines couldn't help but ask Ethan, "What did you and Aaron talk about?"

"Why are you still so concerned about him?” Ethan countered, his tone clearly dissatisfied.

Ines grinned, not quite sure how to explain this feeling to Ethan. There were some people in her life, not quite lovers, nor purely friends, far from romantic partners, yet they had a place in her heart. No matter what, she hoped they were doing well, and she couldn’t help but care about them.

This man, so easily prone to jealousy, she was carrying his child for heaven's sake. What more did he want? Was he not confident in himself, or was it her he doubted?

Ines smirked, "You can just think I'm daydreaming.”

"What more can I say to him? Our relationship has been through rough patches and just managed to mend. We can't afford another crack.” Ethan said.