Chapter 93
“Alright.” Ethan let go of Ines, only to hug her close from behind, as if trying to make her a part of him.
Ines was slightly touched. Sometimes Ethan seemed so resolute, like now, even with his strong physical reaction, he could still calmly hold her and sleep. But at times, this man was just a troublemaker, one that she couldn’t handle if provoked. Ethan’s large hand traced circles on her stomach, whispering, “Your girlfriends are all urging you to have kids, do you think we already have one on the way?”
Ines blinked, momentarily startled by his statement. Their relationship had been progressing for some time, and while they had utilized contraception in the initial stages, no preventative measures had been implemented of late. Her question emerged somewhat tremulously, “Are you suggesting we should have a baby now?”
Ethan chuckled, “I’m almost 33, by the time the child is born I might be 34 or 35, you tell me if I’m in a rush?”
Ines frowned slightly, “If you’re going to be a father at 35, it does seem a bit old.”
“So, we both need to try harder.”
They hugged each other, then Ethan handed Ines her phone, “Your phone’s been ringing non–stop when you were showering, lots of messages. Check if there’s anything important.”
Ines checked her phone, she had received a lot of congratulatory messages from her current and former colleagues from B City, and of course, a text from Aaron. Also, a recent phone call from Phoebe. She knew Phoebe must have spilled the beans to Ethan.
“Your friend thought you picked up the phone, she started talking before I could say anything,” Ethan explained.
“Mmm.” Ines nodded, knowing Phoebe’s character better than anyone else. No wonder Ethan knew about her past crush on him.
Ines replied to the messages one by one. Ethan put her phone on the bedside table and asked her to get some sleep early as there was something important tomorrow.
Ines was very tired and didn’t ask much about it.
Early next morning, Ines was woken up by Ethan. Ethan was already dressed, in a black suit, not his usual style, looking rather serious.
Ines put on the clothes Ethan had prepared for her. When they went downstairs, everyone was already there, all dressed in dark colors, including Phillip.
It was only when they arrived at the cemetery that Ines found out they were visiting Ethan’s older brother, the eldest son of the Meyer family, Beasley Meyer. Today was his birthday, he was a soldier who died in a car accident on a mission. He was only 29 when he passed away, very young.
The sky was filled with drizzling rain, everyone holding an umbrella.
Ines looked at the young face in the photo, who looked a lot like Ethan, the brothers were only a little over a year apart. If not for the people who knew them well, they might have mistaken one for the other.
She used to wonder why, for a military family like the Meyer’s, there was no one serving in the military in Ethan’s generation. Turns out there was.
Five years had passed, and the Meyer family had gradually moved on from the pain. They simply paid their respects to Beasley and then went home.
On the way back, Ethan seemed a bit down. Ines didn’t ask what happened, she just held onto his arm tightly.
“Izzy, I think maybe I should have been a soldier. If I had been the one to enlist, I might be the one lying in the grave now.”
Ines clung more firmly to his arm, an unspoken tension constricting her chest. Yet, she found herself at a loss for words. Given the close age range of the Meyer siblings, she surmised that their bond must have been quite profound. Ethan’s speech was punctuated with pauses, and through his scattered disclosures, Ines learned about Phillip’s unusual method of determining their futures–through a lottery system. Beasley, aware of Ethan’s proclivity for business, manipulated the draw by marking both chits with ‘business‘. Thus, irrespective of Ethan’s draw, he was destined for his preferred path. Once one individual’s fate was sealed, there was no requirement for the other to examine the remaining chit.
Chapter 14
Ethan, it’s not your fault. It was your brother’s choice, he won’t blame you” Ines didn’t know how to comfort him, and only managed to say this after a while
Ethan pulled a slight smile, nodding, “I know I just had some things pent up for too long, and couldn’t help saying them now Don’t worry about me
The Meyer household was a bit somber in the morning, but by the afternoon, it seemed everyone had gotten used to this kind of day and the mood gradually improved
Erica suggested playing poker at home Erica’s suggestion was unanimously approved by the women. Ashley kept losing round after round, and she cried out desperately, “Grandpa, I need your help!”
Phillip, hearing his granddaughter’s cry for help, rushed over. He confidently said, “Dear granddaughter, who dares to bully you? I’ll beat them till theyre down
Ines hadn’t played much poker before, so she was a novice. But she was incredibly lucky, and with Ethan giving her tips on the side, she won a good amount of money. In the end, Ashley couldn’t stand it anymore and cried out, “I quit, all my pocket money is gone! Grandpa, why do you always make me lose?”
Ashley complained to Phillip, who didn’t back down, “You, how come your luck is so bad? There’s nothing I can do about it!” Ashley slammed the table, looking very serious, “I’ve decided, I’m adding a new requirement to my dating standards, must be good at poker Pointing at everyone present, “Don’t get smug, I’ll get my revenge one day.”
Everyone laughed at her antics, Phillip rolled his eyes at her, “Useless, what’s so great about being good at poker? That’s for gamblers/
“Haha, grandpa, are you saying sis–in–law is a gambler?”
Ines, caught in the crossfire, looked at Phillip with a pitiful expression, “Grandpa, I’m not a gambler.”
“No worries, as long as that rascal Ethan doesn’t mind, the old man patted Ines on the shoulder.
Ines
She was speechless.
“Darling, rest assured, I don’t mind at all, Ethan immediately pledged his devotion. Ines couldn’t help but smile, she liked this warm and cozy family atmosphere.
