Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 163

"Alright then, when you're free, let's check out handcraft together. Let's see if she's trying to pull a fast one on me," Phillip said with a laugh.

"Even if you gave me a hundred guts, I wouldn't dare," Silvia pretended to touch her heart.

Not knowing whether Ethan had explained everything to Ines, Erica decided to change the subject. "Let's not dwell on the past. Things are looking up for everyone now. Silvia's return from school is a good thing."

"Yeah, I was confused for a while." Phillip also laughed.

""I can take that to mean you're too excited to see me back," Silvia said, playfully winking.

Ines felt like a third wheel, unable to join in their conversation, and she sat quietly.

Unexpectedly, Silvia shifted the conversation to her. "Izzy, you were busy working yesterday and we didn't get to chat properly. Let's have a good talk today, if you're free."

Ines pursed her lips, "Sure, Ethan is away on business, I'll be here for the next couple of days. You can come over anytime."

Erica looked at Ines approvingly, finding her calm and composed nature to be a good thing. There wouldn't be any unnecessary jealousy drama.

"Silvia, if you have nothing else to do, stick around for dinner. Chat with Phillip, he's been thinking about you for a long time," Erica suggested to Silvia.

"Sure thing," Silvia agreed with a smile.

Ines looked a bit tired, so Erica suggested she take a break. After chatting with Silvia for a bit, Erica went upstairs to check on Ines, knocking on her door, "Izzy, had a good nap? It's me."

Ines was already awake, reading a magazine at the moment. Hearing Erica's voice, she quickly got up to open the door, "I'm rested, come in."

Erica walked in and saw a lounge chair by the window with a book on it. It was evident that Ines had been sunbathing while reading.

"Izzy, it's May already. The sun can be quite harsh. Don't sunbathe too much and avoid reading in the sun, it's bad for your eyes."

Ines chuckled and sat next to Erica, unconsciously leaning on her shoulder. They looked like a real mother-daughter pair, "Got it."

Erica felt happy seeing Ines being so close with her, "By the way, I came up to ask if Ethan has told you about him and Leila?"

Ines knew Erica was worried about her feeling uncomfortable because of Silvia's presence, who is Ethan's ex-girlfriend's sister, "Ethan already told me about his past some time ago. Don't worry, I can understand. I won't be silly enough to compare myself with someone who's gone and push my husband away, living in the present is what matters most."

"I'm glad you can think this way. As a woman, I understand how picky we can be when it comes to the one we love. It's not easy to let go of all resentments," Erica patted Ines' hand.

"In this day and age, who hasn't had a relationship before marriage? It's rare for one's first love to be their spouse. I won't be jealous over this."

"I must say, you're quite remarkable," Erica said, a sense of unspeakable pride in her eyes. She initially didn't like Leila, as she caused a rift between Ethan and Aaron. But she learned to accept

their relationship as she realized how capable and kind-hearted Leila was, despite her poor health.

However, Ines was no worse than Leila. "Leila passed away when Silvia was still in high school. She felt incredibly lonely and the Meyer family was too immersed in grief over losing Beasley and no one cared about Silvia. When they finally noticed, Silvia had lost a lot of weight and became rather gloomy. The doctor said she was mildly autistic. The Meyer family felt guilty as Leila died due to company matters, they couldn't let anything happen to her sister. So, Phillip took her in. They lived together for about a year and, under Phillip's guidance, she gradually became more lively. That's why she and Phillip are so close."

Ines had no idea about this story.

"When Silvia moved in, Phillip had already retired. They were often the only ones at home. Silvia's likable personality made it easy for them to bond. Besides Ashley, Phillip dotes on her the most. He was always worried about her when she went abroad, often calling to check up on her."

Erica finished her story and noticed Ines staring at her in puzzlement, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I think you have the talent to be a psychologist," Ines commented. Every time she felt uncomfortable, talking to Erica would make her feel better, even more so than a psychologist.

Erica playfully slapped her hand, "Now you're starting to tease me like Ethan does, huh? I'm just worried about you two. You finally came together and shouldn't be arguing over trivial matters. A mother's worry for her child never ends. Don't think I'm nagging, you'll understand when you have kids." Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

"I could never think you're nagging. I love this feeling," Ines giggled.

Erica looked at Ines seriously, her eyes filled with sincerity and amusement, "Ethan is lucky to have you, and so are we, the Meyer family."

"You're too kind."

"Oh, forget it, let's not flatter each other anymore. It's kind of pointless."