Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Ethan and Ines had been having the time of their lives. But as the days turned into two weeks, Ines began to feel the tug of homesickness. Her
thoughts drifted to their two little babies back home. Were they eating well? Were bedtime stories being read?
The urgent voice of Phillip had already echoed through several phone calls, but Ethan had fielded each one, keeping the chaos caused by their
dynamic duo close to the chest.
“Honey, shouldn’t we be heading back?” Ines mused. Her voice was tinged with guilt and longing.
Ethan frowned, not mentioning anything about the two little babies. “No rush, love. What else do you want to see? Let’s go back a bit later.”
But Ines was unwavering. “No, I miss Ivy and Ollie. We can always travel again. You said your life is with me, Ethan. Don’t think you can get off this
easy. You owe me more adventures.”
Unable to resist her playful pout, Ethan caved, “Alright, we’ll head back tomorrow first thing. Let’s make today count.”
They returned home with suitcases laden with souvenirs, only to be met with the cold shoulder from Ivy and Ollie. Gone were the usual squeals and
hugs -- this time, they didn’t even glance up from their toys as their parents entered the living room.
“Ivy, Ollie, Mommy and Daddy are home,” Ines called out again. Her voice was a blend of cheer and desperation.
The kids paid her no mind, treating her words like a breeze that had simply ruffled their hair.
Ines shot Ethan a glare. “This is your fault. I wanted to come back sooner.”

Ethan shrugged it off. “They’ll come around. Just let them vent a bit.”
Easy for him to say. Ines picked up Olivine, who didn’t resist but stayed stubbornly quiet in her arms. It was the embodiment of passive resistance.
“Sweetie, Mommy’s sorry. I should have come back sooner,” Ines cooed apologetically, trying to plant a kiss on her daughter’s cheek.
Olivine turned her face away, which was the ultimate snub.
Phillip chuckled at Ines’ failed attempt, “What did you expect? You were gone for ages. Of course, they’re peeved.”
“Grandpa, I’m so sorry. They must have given you all a hard time,” Ines said with genuine concern.
Phillip gestured to his heart, “The ruckus wasn’t the issue. It was seeing them cry that really got to us.”

A flicker of amusement crossed Ethan’s face as he scooped up Oliverio, who, like his sister, ignored their dad completely, even letting out a disdainful
huff.
Ethan raised an eyebrow and signaled Ines to set down Olivine. He did the same with his son. Ines didn’t know what Ethan was planning, but her
trust in him was absolute.
Hand in hand, they headed towards the stairs. Only a few steps in, the kids’ cries erupted. Ines started to turn back, but Ethan’s grip tightened,
signaling her to keep going. They ascended the staircase, and suddenly, through sobs and cries, they heard, “Mommy, Daddy!”
Ethan smirked. “Now we can go back down.”
Ines realized Ethan’s tactic and couldn’t help but laugh at his cunning. Even with their own kids, he played chess, using their attachment to draw out
the first move.

“Daddy, hug!” Olivine cried, reaching out with her little arms. Ethan picked her up, and Ines hugged their son. Olivine, still in a huff, bumped her head
against Ethan’s nose in protest. Ethan winced at the sting while the little girl, clutching her own head, cried louder, looking utterly wronged.
Shaking his head with a laugh, Ethan checked her head for redness. “Olivine, you’re adorably silly. Trying to get back at Daddy like that? Is your head
as hard as mine? Don’t do this again, okay?”
Oliverio watched his sister, a smirk almost breaking through. Ines tapped his head. “That’s your sister. Be kind, no schadenfreude.”
Olivine looked accusingly at Ethan, mumbling, “Daddy, bad, bad.”
This little girl learned a new word, ans Ethan was thrilled, soothing her with gentle pats. “Okay, okay. Daddy’s indeed been bad. Won’t make fun of our
little treasure again.”
Phillip and Camela laughed from the sidelines. Ines, puzzled, asked, “Grandpa, who taught Ivy that word?”
“Kids these days are sharp. Sometimes, to calm them down, we’d say you two were being bad. Looks like she picked it up.”
Later, as Ethan applied ointment to Olivine’s forehead, Ines’ mind wandered. She had heard from Phillip that Silvia wanted to meet her. Why her, not
Ethan? With Silvia’s childhood shadows in mind, she hesitated.
“Izzy, what’s on your mind?” Ethan, noticing her distraction, said in a gentle way.
Ines smiled, not hiding her thoughts. “Silvia wants to meet me. I’m not sure if I should go.”
Ethan’s expression darkened. “There’s nothing to talk about between you two. You don’t need to bother with her.”

Phillip overheard their conversation and let out a soft sigh. The way Silvia had ended up, he thought, was a result of her own doing. No one else was
to blame. He’d relay the message, but whether or not Ines decided to visit Silvia in prison was not for him to meddle with. Ines wrestled with the
decision all night, but come morning, she found herself making the trip to the prison. She sat in the visitors’ area, waiting, until Silvia was escorted in.
Silvia’s appearance had changed drastically. She was clad in the standard prison uniform. Her features were gaunt, and her cheeks were hollowed
from the harsh life in jail. Yet, there was an eerie calm about her. She no longer wore a hypocritical mask on her face like before or laughed
hysterically.