Broken Memories, Intertwined Hearts novel Chapter 343

When Ines woke up, she instinctively reached out, only to find that her hand couldn't move. She opened her eyes in a daze, only to find Ethan clutching her hand, fast asleep by her bedside, still in the clothes he'd worn to the party the night before.

Had he been sitting there all night? What had happened?

Ines didn't connect this situation with herself. She couldn't help but gently shake Ethan, "Ethan, wake up."

Ethan was a light sleeper. As soon as Ines nudged him, he woke up. He seemed to be quite tired, and his voice was a bit hoarse, "Izzy."

"Ethan, what happened? Did you stay up all night?" Ines asked with concern.

Ethan seriously looked at Ines, gently cradling her face, and said softly, "I'm sorry, Izzy, I've caused you trouble again."

Ines paused for a moment, quickly linking this to the events of the previous night. Besides Ashley, she couldn't think of anyone else who would let Ethan know so quickly. "Did Ashley tell you?"

Ethan nodded, then pinched Ines' face, "Why didn't you tell me anything? Didn't I tell you to come to me directly if anything happens?"

Ines gave a bitter smile, "I didn't know how to say it."

"Izzy, after Leila's death, I did go through a period of mental collapse. I used to dial her number in the middle of the night. Once her phone was disconnected, and I scolded Lucas. After that, Lucas would top up this number from time to time. This went on for almost a year. After a year, I slowly got better and didn't call Leila so frequently. Only when I felt too upset did I call once. Later, I felt it’s not healthy, so I forced myself to quit this habit, deleted her number, and slowly returned to normal life."

Ines' heart ached. She knew clearly that she was feeling sorry for him. Indeed, the deepest pain was invisible, especially for a reserved person like Ethan.

Ines gently held his arm and asked in confusion, "Then why did her number appear on your phone again? And it's still active?"

Ethan didn't hide anything, "I asked Lucas last night. He said he had topped up a lot of money at once. As for why that number appeared on my phone again, someone must have deliberately arranged it."

Ines' fists clenched tightly. It must be Silvia. How could that woman be so persistent? She was too annoying, always causing trouble, and always using Leila, with no creativity at all.

She almost fell for it. She really underestimated Silvia. Ashley was right, that woman was too terrible.

Ines' sudden silence made Ethan tense. He thought such an explanation couldn't win Ines' forgiveness, and his eyes gradually dimmed.

"Izzy." Ethan called softly.