Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 325

"Your students probably don't miss you as much as you think. They might even be happy you're gone for a few days. So, take this opportunity to rest up." Ines said.

Rita tapped Ines on the head lightly, "Cut the crap. I'm a seasoned teacher."

"But you're too strict, and your students are scared of you." Ines said.

"Rita, stay a few more days. It'll ease Izzy and Ethan's worry." Zander said.

Zander knew Rita well. After hearing this, Rita fell silent for a while before saying, "Alright, I'll stay a few more days."

Ines sneakily gave Zander a thumbs up, who responded with a victory sign. Ethan seeing their interaction, cracked a smile.

At this moment, Jeffery finished some paperwork and asked, "Mom, how do you feel?" Hearing this, Rita's smile disappeared, clearly reminded of the incident at the wedding.

Ines could only squeeze her hand, while Zander reassured her with a smile, "Let the kids handle their own problems. We're old now, and we can't manage everything. It's not worth it to get sick over anger. In the end, you're the one who suffers."

Rita responded, "Aren't you worried too? We've been so good to her, but she kept such an important matter from us. It's a big deal. She didn't just keep it from us, and she even kept it from Jeffery, her husband. How's that acceptable?"

Zander didn't say anything, Jeffery calmly responded, "Dad, mom, I will have a good talk with Joy."

Seeing Rita getting worked up again, Ines quickly changed the topic, "Rita, are you hungry? If you are, I can get Ethan to buy some food. You haven't eaten all day. If you starve, our two little ones will be upset."

Mentioning the two little ones, Rita immediately asked Ethan, "Ethan, go buy some food. Izzy hasn't had lunch yet. This is the time when the little babies need nourishment, we can't let them starve."

"Alright, wait here, I'll go get food." Ethan then turned to leave but hesitated and told Ines, "Izzy, stay put and don't run around. Keep Rita company. I'll be back soon."

Rita couldn't help but laugh. Zander's eyes were also filled with mirth. Ines blushed and scolded Ethan, "Ethan, you're so annoying. Hurry up and go, where can I run to?"

Only then did Ethan leave the room. Rita couldn't help but say, "Seems like you're really a handful. Ethan can't even leave without worrying about you."

Ines frowned and defended herself, "That's not because I'm irresponsible, he's just getting old and likes to nag. Plus, I'm carrying his child now, he never used to be this concerned about me."

"Ooh, sounds like someone's a little jealous, starting to compete for attention with your own child. Won't it be more troublesome when the baby is born?" Rita laughed and shook her head.

"Rita, she hasn't interacted with you guys much, so she might not know your personalities well. She was probably worried you guys wouldn't approve of her and Jeffery being together if her past got out, which shows she cares about Jeffery and doesn't want to lose him. As for her mom, she's not an ungrateful person. You can tell she's been a dutiful daughter all her life." Ines said.

Seeing Rita calming down a bit, Ines continued, "Besides, being jailed isn't always a given. Look at me, if my dad hadn't helped me with the Shirley Dave issue, I might also have a criminal record now. Would you say I'm not a good person?"

"Don't compare yourself to her. There's no comparison." Rita disagreed with Ines.

"Sure, we can't really compare, but there are similarities. I just want to tell you, that things aren't always as they seem. Joy just didn't have a father like mine to help her when she had problems. She's had a tough time these past years on her own." Ines said.

"Okay, I'm no spring chicken, I've lived through most of my life. I have more experience than you, and I don't need your lectures." Rita was clearly displeased.

"Rita, I know this might not be what you want to hear, but I gotta say it anyway. I only learned about this right before the wedding too. I was pissed off at first, but then I cooled down and gave it some thought, the thing isn't really unforgivable. You guys fully trusted me years ago when I accidentally bumped into Emma, because you truly treated me like family. Now, you can't accept Jeffery's wife, because subconsciously, she hasn’t earned the same spot in your hearts as I have." Ines said.

"Well, of course, you're my family," Rita said without hesitation.

Ines chuckled, "Likewise, there's always been a gap between you guys and her. And vice versa, how could there possibly be total trust?"