Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Ethan let out a gentle sigh, smiling as he said, “Alright, sweetheart, I’ll show you, but brace yourself. This is a surface wound and it hasn’t fully healed
yet. So it might look a little frightening.”
Ines’ fingertips trembled lightly as she managed to croak out, “Okay.”
Ethan removed his shirt, and then motioned to his back. “I only got hurt on my back. The river was pretty rough, and I couldn’t grab onto anything like
reeds. I kept getting washed away and hit against sharp rocks. In addition, being soaked in water all the time made some of the wounds inflamed and
swollen...”
Before he could finish, he felt the hot tears from Ines fall on his back, which seared his wounds and tugged at his heartstrings.
“Izzy, I’m really okay now.”
Ines stared blankly at the overlapping scars on his back. Some areas were probably very deep and were still bandaged. Others were healing slowly,
while some were still inflamed and swollen.
She knew that if he hadn’t been so severely injured, he would have come back to them much earlier and would never have delayed for such a long
time.
Ethan pulled Ines onto his lap and softly kissed the tears off her face. “Izzy, stop crying, okay? It ruins your beauty.”
Ines tried to stand up, but Ethan instantly held her down. “Izzy, stay still. Let me hold you like this.”
“Ethan, your wound...”
“Silly girl, my wound is on my back, not on my legs. You’re so light now, you’re not a burden at all. Have you been skipping meals lately?”
Ines pouted. “How could I eat properly when your fate was uncertain? I didn’t have any appetite.” She had even neglected their two kids, let alone her
own meals.

“Alright, I won’t blame you this time. But you must take good care of yourself in the future.” Ethan gently caressed Ines’ face.
“Got it. Stop nagging.”
“See? I just got back and you’re already complaining about me nagging.”
“I just like a man who nags. Oh, I need to tell everyone at home that you’re back. They’ve been worried sick. I’ve caught Mom wiping away tears
several times.” After the initial sadness, Ines was bubbling with excitement, eager to prove wrong those who had doubted Ethan’s survival.

“No need, Silas saw me just now. Everyone knows already, so you don’t need to spread the word.”
“Alright, let’s go to the hospital to treat your wounds. They look pretty bad, probably from recurring inflammation. We can’t take this lightly.”
“Aren’t you going to work?” Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“I’m the boss. Who dares to question me if I take a day off?” Ines chuckled.
Ethan shook his head in amusement. He remembered he used to say the same thing, and now it seemed to have rubbed off on his wife.
Ethan was back, and Ines seemed to come back to life. She had been walking around like a zombie, snapping at everyone. The employees of
Galeana Group suffered greatly. But now, seeing them walking hand in hand, everyone greeted them warmly. Naturally, Ines responded cheerfully
and thanked them.
“Ms. Ines is finally back to her senses. I heard she scolded all the department heads.”
“Yeah, I heard Herschel got an earful too. But speaking of which, I need to tell Rory to get our proposal signed as soon as possible. Now that Ms. Ines
is in a good mood, we should seize the chance. We spent a whole month on that plan.”
“But that depends on whether Ms. Ines comes to work tomorrow. Judging from her current state, I doubt she will.”
The two women whispered to each other, which Ines naturally couldn’t hear. Ethan just smiled and smirked. Previously, Ines wouldn’t have held his
hand in such a formal setting, but today she seemed to forget that. She was playing with his hand while leaning on his shoulder from time to time,
looking very dependent and affectionate.

He was truly happy about this change. It showed that she relied on him more than he had imagined. However, if the price was her being scared and
worried, he hoped there wouldn’t be a next time. They had come a long way to reach where they were now.
On their way, Ines told Ethan everything that had happened during his absence. Ethan just smiled and didn’t seem to mind. “All hardships are over.
Let’s hold our wedding next month.”
“So soon? I’m not prepared at all.”
Ethan chuckled and pinched Ines’ nose. “What preparation do you need? You’re already Mrs. Meyer. Don’t worry about the wedding. I’ll handle
everything.”
“I just feel weird. Our kids are already here, but we’re just having a wedding ceremony.”
“What’s there to feel weird about? Don’t care about what others think.”

Ines smiled. “As you say, darling.”
“That’s my girl.”
Ethan’s wounds were indeed inflamed. After receiving some anti-inflammatory injections and medication, they left the hospital.
“Ethan, where are we going now?”
“Let’s go to the Meyer Mansion. I miss our kids and want to hold them.”
Ines pouted and pretended to be angry. She poked Ethan’s chest several times. “Ethan, you’re too much. You only think about our kids. You must be
missing your little Ivy.” Ethan was used to Ines being jealous of Olivine, their daughter. He kissed her hand and pulled her into his arms. His warm
hand subtly squeezed her waist, and he whispered in her ear, “I’ll hold the kids first. I’ll hold and pamper you tonight. How does that sound?”
Ines blushed at his suggestive words. “You pervert, I don’t need your hugs.”
“Alright, honey, let’s go home.”
They were delayed at the hospital for quite some time. By the time Ines got home, it was already nearing the end of the workday. Just as they had
done the day before, her two little ones were perched on their individual stools at the doorway, eagerly awaiting her return.
Witnessing this scene again, Ines didn’t feel the same heartache she had experienced yesterday. Instead, she was overwhelmed by a powerful sense
of happiness. “Ethan,” she said, “lately, it seems that Ivy and Ollie have been doing this every day. It’s as if they can tell time. Every day around this
time, they step outside and wait for me.”