Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 255

They had just left the small shop when Rita called, telling them she had reached downtown and asking them to meet up.

When they arrived at the cemetery, it was past one in the noon and the sun was blazing hot. Ethan held up an umbrella for Ines.

Rita and Zander placed the prepared flowers on the grave. Even though Ines had regained her composure, her heart still ached as she looked at her parents' pictures. Rita also wore a serious expression, gazing at Hunter's photo on the tombstone and saying, "When Ms. Page died, I really hated you. She sacrificed so much for you, only to end up committing suicide. Then you distanced yourself from Izzy, pushed her and her mother into the Galeana family, and made her face criticism at a young age. Finally, she had to leave for B city and start over. Seeing her struggle like that, my resentment towards you grew stronger." After a pause, Rita continued, "I've heard about what you did for Izzy. Even though I don't completely agree, I'm deeply moved. If my child had to choose between enduring prison or enduring rumors, I guess I would also choose to let her bear the rumors, rather than ruin her future. Izzy has also let go of her hatred for you. She will guard what you care about."

"You can never repay the debt you owe Lilian in this lifetime, and you've paid with your life. My sister was a foolhardy woman who loved you deeply. All she cared about was your betrayal. If she knew the truth, she would certainly forgive you. Rest in peace."

Zander, always a man of few words, did not say any emotional words like Rita. He simply placed a pack of cigarettes in front of the tombstone, "I know you liked smoking. This is for you. If you feel lonely, you can smoke one."

Upon hearing Rita and Zander's words, Ines couldn't help but bury her face in Ethan's chest. Ethan whispered in her ear, "Everything will pass. From now on, our children and I will be with you. You

won't be alone."

Ines nodded solemnly, "I know."

Since Ines was pregnant, they didn't stay at the cemetery for long. Rita and Zander didn't have any vacation days and had taken a leave to come here. Seeing that Ines was doing well, they didn't plan to stay in A city any longer and went straight to the airport.

Knowing she had to go to work at the Galeana Group in the afternoon, they told her to get some rest and insisted on not being sent off by them, which Ines disagreed with.

Dane promised to safely send them to the airport, Rita said she would call Ines when she arrived at the airport and when she got home. Only then did Ines give up on the idea of seeing them off.

Ethan and Ines went to the Galeana Group together. Since Ines had recently acted as the chairman, and with Ethan by her side, the executives didn't have any objections, even the directors chose to keep quiet and let them handle this issue.

With Ethan's help, and her familiarity with the Galeana Group's work, they managed to handle most of the backlog within an afternoon. When they finally took a break from work, they realized it was already getting late.

Ines' shoulders were sore. Just as she was about to massage them, Ethan walked behind her and started to gently knead her shoulders. Ines closed her eyes in enjoyment, feeling comfortable like a little kitten.

"It seems our Izzy has the potential to become a powerful woman." Ethan said unconsciously.

Upon hearing this, Ines' expression slightly changed, "Ethan, do you want me to stay in this position?"

"It depends on you. If you like this kind of work, I won't object. I won't make you stay at home as a full-time housewife. That would only make you bored when I'm at work and have too much idle time to overthink. Izzy, do whatever you want." Ethan said seriously.

Even though he liked seeing her as soon as he got home, he knew she won't be happy that way. When their child grows up, they will definitely go to school. She would be bored staying at home alone.

Ines nodded, "Hmm, I'll try it first. If it's too hard, I won't tolerate it. I might choose to leave."

Ethan laughed, knowing that she wasn't that kind of person.

"Alright, let's eat first and then continue working." Ines held Ethan's hand.

Ethan opened the thermal lunch box that Camela had sent not long before. The food was still warm. They put the food on the table and started eating.

Emma originally had something work-related matters to discuss with Ines, but seeing the cozy scene, she hesitated on whether to go in.

Just as she was about to leave, Ines called out to her, "Do you need something?"

Emma braced herself and walked in, handing the plan in her hands to Ines. She was about to call her "sister", but remembered what Silas said, that she's actually a bit older than Ines, so technically she's the older sister.

Emma didn't add a title, instead she said directly, "This is the plan for the official announcement of your appointment as the chairman of the Galeana Group. Take a look and see if there's anything that needs to be modified. If there is, point it out and I'll correct it right away."

Ines took it, not looking at the details of the plan or at her, and casually asked, "Have you eaten? If not, sit down and eat with us."

Emma glanced at the lunch box that only had enough food for two people and shook her head, "I've already eaten." Ines knew she hadn't eaten, but since she said so, she didn't say anything more. She was just being polite, their relationship hadn't reached that close yet. "I'll look at the plan after I finish eating. You can go off to work now. If I have any changes, I'll let you know first thing tomorrow morning."

Emma nodded and left the office.

Ines couldn't help but frown, nudging Ethan's arm with her elbow, "What do you think is going on with Emma? I feel like she's changed over these past few days, I can't tell what she's thinking anymore."

"After all she's gone through, I feel like she's grown up a bit. I sense some shred of conscience in her, not entirely devoid of humanity like Shirley. Judging from how she acted at the funeral, she seemed really torn up about her dad, didn't seem like she was faking those tears," Ethan said.

"I'm not exactly a forgiving person. Just thought she's been acting decently recently, so I decided to cut her some slack. If I were to go by how she treated me in the past, I wouldn't even give her the time of day," Ethan chuckled. After they had dinner and handled some work, it was almost eleven o’clock when they got home.