Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts

Chapter 184

As everyone was deep in conversation, the waiter came in and unfolded the coffee table in the middle. It quickly transformed into a square dining table.

Everyone gathered around it, and the six of them paired off in threes. Noel looked at the dishes served and couldn't help but say, "If I knew you guys were only going to eat and not drink, we should have just picked a restaurant outside. The food here is nowhere near as good.”

“Shut it, Noel. Can't we eat in peace?” Ashley snapped.

Noel glared at Ashley, "I wasted my time being nice to you. You always favored Aaron. Are you into him or something?” All rights © NôvelDrama.Org.

That comment made everyone feel awkward. Even Ashley was stunned into silence and only managed to retort after a while, “No one will think you're mute if you don’t say dumb things.”

Aaron glanced at Ashley, and Ashley shot him a glare, “What’s that look for? You think I like you? You’re neither as rich nor as handsome as my brother.”

It was only after she finished speaking that Ashley realized that she seemed to be defending herself too vehemently.

Seeing Ashley like this, Ethan was almost certain that Izzy’s guess was right. Ashley was indeed hiding her true feelings.

When did this happen?

Izzy gave Aaron a look, unsure of what he thought of Ashley.

Aaron avoided her gaze.

Noel asked, “What the hell happened? Did I say something wrong again? Ashley, I was just making a casual remark. Why are you so worked up?”

Izzy finally understood why Noel had been unsuccessful in pursuing Phoebe for so long. Noel could be really clueless sometimes.

Phoebe shot Noel a disgusted look, “Idiot.”

The mood soured because of Noel’s thoughtless comment. As they were leaving, Ethan turned to Aaron and said, “Aaron, I hope you’ll always be just Ashley’s elder.” The meaning behind his words was clear to Aaron, and it left him shocked. He thought back to his interactions with Ashley and realized they might have been too close. He had always thought it was harmless. After all, he had watched Ashley grow up. But he overlooked one crucial fact - they were not related by blood.

“Ethan, don’t worry, I know what to do.”

After finishing his sentence, Aaron turned around and saw Ashley standing not far from him.

“Ashley.”

Ashley raised her hand to stop him, “Don’t talk to me. I don’t want to talk to you right now, and I don’t need you to take me school. Just go.”

Once they were in the car, Izzy couldn’t help but jab Ethan’s shoulder, “Why did you say that? You don’t like the idea of him and Ashley together?”

“They’re not suitable.” Ethan said, his expression stern, like a strict parent considering his daughter’s future.

“What's not suitable about them? I think they’re great together.” Izzy disagreed. Ashley and Aaron always seemed comfortable around each other.

Ethan said, “Aaron is the same age as me.”

Izzy burst into laughter, “No one said you guys aren't the same age. But what does that have to do with whether Aaron is suitable for Ashley?”

“Their age difference is too big.”

Ethan argued. “They are only 12 years apart. You’re being too rigid. It’s common for older men to marry younger women these days. Some couples even have a 20 or 30-year age gap. Ashley may be young, but she’s way more mature than Bella. She’s not going to cause Aaron any trouble. He won’t need to spend much time teaching her anything. The real gap between them is not as big as you think.”

“They don’t have a romantic relationship.” Ethan seemed reluctant to see them together. Izzy looked at Ethan and said earnestly, “If by relationship you mean romance, then that’s not a problem. You and I got married after just one meeting. Did we have any romance then? We cultivated our feelings for each other gradually. They’ve been in each other's lives for many years. Their bond is strong. Aaron dotes on Ashley. If they end up together, I’d support them.”

Ethan said, “Not every couple can be like us, meeting once and realizing the other is the one and gradually cultivating their feelings over time.”

Izzy felt Ethan was being a bit stubborn tonight. Maybe it was because he, being a brother, always wanted the best for his sister.

But love is like drinking water, only the person drinking it knows how hot or cold it is. As long as the people involved are comfortable, the judgment and scrutiny of others don’t matter.

“And your main reason is that you know Aaron very well. Isn't it better to let Ashley be with someone you know than with a stranger? You guys can be more at ease.” Ethan’s expression didn't change,

so Izzy dropped the topic, “Alright, let’s not talk about it anymore. Let the two of them figure it out. I’m saying all this because if they do want to be together in the future, as a brother, you shouldn’t stand in their way.”

“We'll see. You, of all people, should know who Aaron likes. I don’t want my only sister to get hurt.”

Izzy was taken aback, then said, “Ethan, life is long, and anything can happen. You should know that better than I do.” Even the deepest of feelings could fade with time.