Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel 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.

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.