Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 509

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.

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.”