Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 434

“I don’t recall anyone ever passing me a love letter.” Ethan ruminated on the thought, finding no trace of such a memory.

“Sweetheart, you’re killing me here. I feel pains inside my body.” Ines lightly rubbed her forehead. She felt she was thoroughly neglected by him, and the fact that he had no memory of it irked her greatly.

Some words, once said, become easier to voice. The first time is the hardest, but after that, it rolls off the tongue.

Ethan felt a tight knot in his chest, with a clear sense of panic creeping into his voice, “Why would you have a pain? Didn’t the doctor say everything was fine?”

Ines bit Ethan’s chin in frustration, “Why? Of course it’s because you are driving me up the wall.”

Ethan paused to process what Ines meant. Then he chuckled, “Then why you didn’t give the letters to me personally back then?”

Ines kicked Ethan lightly, gritting her teeth, “Jesus. I really don’t know what to say. In fact, I did give it to you myself.”

Ethan knitted his brows slightly. However, he truly couldn’t remember such an event. Ines recalled the scene, even now finding it slightly unbelievable. Despite her cheerful exterior, she had always been reserved when it came to the matter of love. Back then, she had an audacious idea and even acted on it! “Right after your speech, I followed you sneakily to a corridor and personally handed you the love letter.”

“Did you run off after you gave it to me?”

“Of course, what did you expect? I would wait for your response?” Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it would leap out of her chest, so after handing him the letter, she fled.

Hearing this, Ethan seemed to have a vague recollection. He did remember receiving a love letter that simply read: Ethan, I like you. But, he was no stranger to receiving love letters. Sometimes the letters were even in stacks. He didn’t pay much attention to them. This one was different. It was the shortest and was scribbled on a piece of homework paper. It was hastily torn and the edges were jagged, which perhaps contributed to his vague memory of it.

“You probably wouldn’t get it.”

“That’s why I had to leave quickly. There’s another thing that even Phoebe doesn’t know about. The first time I saw you wasn’t at your school speech, but at a dinner party.”

She knew him long before Leila did, probably when she was around fourteen. Back then, she was the apple of her parents’ eyes and they took her everywhere with them.

At her words, something flickered in Ethan’s mind, but it disappeared before he could grasp it.

Ines’ memory drifted back to that summer night. She was accompanying her father to the dinner party, but she started feeling unwell. After informing her father, she found a quiet corner and sat down. The pain didn’t subside but turned into a sharp agony that made her bite her lip and curl up. Beads of cold sweat were rolling down her face.

Just then, a pleasant voice asked, “Are you okay?”

Ines looked up to see a remarkably handsome young boy with captivating dark eyes. She was stunned for a few seconds, looking around to see if there was anyone else. Then she realized the boy was talking to her.

Seeing her father busy in the distance, she said, “I’m feeling sick. Can you take me home?”

She knew her father was here to negotiate a cooperation deal that he had been preparing for a long time. If successful, it would immensely benefit their company. She couldn’t be a burden to him at this crucial time.

“I’m sorry. I need to hold your legs to carry you.”

“I didn’t... mean that. I’m just not used to this,” Ines’ heart raced, and her face was flushing.

Since she was little, her father had been strict with her. Especially after she entered into puberty, her father barely allowed her to interact with boys. This was the first time she had such close contact with a boy other than her father.

“Your heart is beating really fast,” the boy stated honestly. His voice was calm and composed, which seemed to come from a mature man.

“Nonsense, that’s not true,” Ines’ voice rose a little. She slapped his shoulder, and then realized her action might be too harsh. He was just being kind and helping her get home.

“Uh, sorry, I just overreacted.”

“Do all the little girls at your age overreact like this?” The boy’s tone was impassive, and his emotions were unaffected. It seemed like he was naturally calm and composed, able to handle any situation with ease. Ines pouted her lips. There was a trace of displeasure in her voice, “I’m not a little girl. I’m in eighth grade. Besides, you are not much older than me.” This is a typical mindset. The kids want to grow up when they are young and pretend to be more mature beyond their age. But when they actually grow up, they wish time could go easy on them. They want to become younger.

“I’m a junior at a university,” the boy said, with a small smirk playing on his lips.

Ines made a rough estimate. The boy appeared to be about six or seven years older than her, “So, are you starting your internship now? Is that why you’re following the boss to gain some experience?”

“You could say that,” he replied. He was here with his mother. Although he was working at the family business, it could still be considered an internship.