Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 130

Hearing those words, Ethan's face darkened instantly. His hands clenched under the table, suppressing a wave of anger ready to explode.

Noel's face was also serious. He said to Aaron in a dissatisfied tone, "Aaron, we're all best friends here, don't spoil the mood. You've had too much to drink, watch your words next time. Marriage isn't a game, you can't just call it quits."

A mocking smile flashed in Aaron's eyes, he looked exceptionally bitter, "Noel, ask this man here if he even considers me a friend. This is the second time, the second time he's stolen the woman I love from me."

He could accept Ines's husband being anyone else, but he couldn't accept it being Ethan.

"I've told you, it was an accident." Ethan kept repeating the same words. He wasn't good at explaining, always resorting to such phrases.

"Don't sugarcoat it! Love at first sight, huh? Did you just think Ines and Leila looked somewhat alike? You were just looking for a replacement for Leila."

"Aaron, I'm not that petty." Ethan forced a smile. The replacement theory was complete nonsense.

Noel also thought Aaron was being obstinate. Ines and Leila hardly looked alike. Even if their personalities were slightly similar, Ines was more playful and lively, while Leila was a mature and steady professional woman, always serious. From NôvelDrama.Org.

Besides, Ethan only met Ines once, it was unlikely he could have noticed any similarities in their personalities.

"They're both auditors, isn't that enough?"

Noel shook his head, "Aaron, you’ve become increasingly paranoid over the years. Ethan has interacted with many auditors, those aren't reasons." Why did he have to go after Ines?

Ethan frowned at Aaron, carefully pondering his words.

He hadn't thought about any of this at the time. He just found Ines interesting, so he strangely wanted to marry her.

"I'll tell Ines everything. I want to see what she will do."

As soon as Aaron finished speaking, Ethan punched him. Anger flashed in Ethan's eyes. Ines was his bottom line, but Aaron had been crossing it repeatedly tonight, he couldn't tolerate it any longer.

Taken aback, Aaron fought back, and the two began to brawl. For a while, they seemed evenly matched.

Noel chose to stand aside, refraining from interceding in the brawl. After all, both were full-grown men, as tough as they come. A few bruises wouldn't cause them any significant harm. Eventually, the fight subsided. Aaron slumped onto the sofa, his energy spent, while Ethan, though equally battered and covered in bruises, maintained his poise. He straightened his rumpled white shirt, collected his coat, and directed at Noel, "I'm heading out, ensure he gets home safely."

Noel nodded, "You okay? You drank quite a bit, can you drive? If not, I can call Lucas to pick you up."

"No need, I'll get a designated driver."

With that, Ethan left without a backward glance. Noel sighed and turned to Aaron, who seemed to have fallen asleep. After a while, Noel reluctantly carried Aaron out of the private room.

When Ethan got home, the lights in the living room were off, only the TV was on. Ines was sound asleep on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket. Her mouth was slightly open, making a faint breathing sound.

Looking at her face, he once again confirmed that she was the one, not anyone else, but the woman he had chosen at first sight.

He lifted her into his arms, and she immediately clung to his neck, pressing her face against his chest. This reliance made him smile, his irritation from meeting Aaron completely disappeared.

Just as he was about to lay Ines on the bed, she stirred and like a puppy, started sniffing him.

Ethan cursed inwardly: I forgot to shower first.

Seeing Ines about to wake up, he quickly turned off the lights, leaving only the dim wall lamps on. Ines asked sleepily, "Ethan, when did you get home?"

Ethan hadn't looked in the mirror, but he could feel the burning pain on his cheek and lips. He knew he must look a mess. He turned his face away slightly, not wanting Ines to see his bruises, "I just got back, I'm gonna shower first, you go back to sleep."

Ines wasn't fooled that easily, her eyes narrowed at Ethan's evasiveness, "Ethan, why are you hiding from me?"

"No..." Ethan denied, trying to get up and go to the bathroom.

Seeing him trying to escape, Ines quickly got up on her knees, pushed him back down, and forcefully turned his face towards her. Her eyes widened in surprise, then she turned on all the lights.

Ethan had always been a gentleman in her eyes, the idea of him fighting was preposterous.

Under the bright lights, Ethan's usually perfect face was bruised, especially his lips, looking like he'd been punched hard.

Ines looked at him sympathetically, "Ethan, who did you fight with? Look at yourself!"

Ethan gave her a sheepish smile, "It's nothing, just an old friend, he's no better off."

"Was it Noel?" Ines asked.

Ethan shook his head, "Not him, a friend from a long time ago."

Seeing that Ethan didn't want to talk about this person, Ines didn't press further, she just said exasperatedly, "You're in your thirties and still fighting with people, isn't that childish?"

"He said things that were too offensive, I couldn't hold back." He finally married his wife, but Aaron was talking nonsense and insulting him. Besides, he seemed to have not given up, wanting to snatch Ines from him. This was absolutely intolerable, even if he was a good friend.

"Who threw the first punch?"

Ethan touched his nose, gave an embarrassed smile and admitted, "I think it was me."

"I had no clue, you got a rough side too, huh? Well, today's been an eye-opener that's for sure." Ines shot him a look, then leaned in again, taking a whiff of him. She could smell smoke and booze, pretty strong, definitely not from someone else. He must have had his fair share.