Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 87

"Ethan, be honest, have you ever had a thing for that girl?" Ines raised her delicate fingers and gently poked Ethan's arm.

A girl like Bella is young and adorable, quite a head-turner. If she were a guy, she'd definitely take a second look at her.

Men are suckers for beautiful things. But she hasn’t noticed Ethan eyeing her like that, and that made her a tad happy.

Ethan's eyes were deep, his smile hardly contained. "Mrs. Meyer, are you getting green-eyed?"

"I'm asking you a serious question, no joking."

"If I had fancied her from the start, you wouldn't be in the picture," said Ethan helplessly.

Ines pouted and huffed lightly, "That's not necessarily true. Maybe you didn't make a move on her back then because she was underage."

"You silly girl."

"Ethan, do you regret marrying me? After all, I'm already 27, I can't compete with these young and pretty girls." For some reason, Ines suddenly felt insecure.

Ethan chuckled, realizing she was feeling insecure. He was willing to spend time to explain, to ease any doubts in her heart.

"Izzy, my intent has been to find a spouse, not a ward. The appeal of youth doesn't resonate with me. Our slight age difference of five to six years is the perfect equilibrium. Just take Bella as an illustration, still an innocent girl, grappling with her own emotions and requiring guidance to wade through life's complexities. I, unfortunately, lack the stamina and the patience for that task. However, you, Izzy, stand in stark contrast. A woman touched by life's experiences grows into rational maturity. This, in turn, allows us to comprehend and bear with each other more effectively, reducing disagreements. The last thing a marriage requires is disputes; irrespective of the depth of the love, it risks dissolving amidst the din of arguments. Do you understand my perspective?" Ethan laid out his thoughts with a sense of gravity. Ines was visibly moved. Reflecting on their shared past, his words appeared to hold true. Their disagreements had been few and far between. The infrequent squabbles they had were born out of care and worry, and these only served to fortify their bond rather than destabilize their marriage.

This was indeed the kind of marriage she had in mind.

"Alright, I accept your explanation."

It was still early, so they didn't rush home. The Diamond Hotel was right by the river, a popular spot at this time. They decided to take a walk by the river.

The evening breeze was refreshing. Although a bit chilly, it felt nice.

Ines was a bit tired from the day's activities. She pulled Ethan to sit on a bench, leaning her head slightly on his shoulder.

Her gaze was fixed on his side profile, clear and sharp, but not rigid, giving a soft feel, matching his reticent personality.