Chapter 228
Ethan snuggled Ines close, grinning, "We''re grabbing dinner with the Galeana fam tonight, then
crashing in the city. I''m about done with staying at the Base."
Ines felt Ethan skirting the issue. She distanced herself, pinning him with a look, "Ethan, you''re
always sidestepping with distractions. You think I don''t notice? I just don''t want to argue. If you don''t
come clean, I''m done."
Ethan looked at Ines'' resolution, couldn''t help but stroke her hair, "What if I told you, I was bought
out with a wad of cash, would you believe that?"
"Ethan." Ines raised her voice, feeling a sense of powerless defeat. This man, when he didn''t want
to spill, there was no way to pry it open from him. She really didn''t know whether to call him
principled or just stubborn.
"Izzy,e with me, would you? You and your dad might need to sit down and have a serious talk.
Plus, you haven''t seen him since he got back. Don''t you want to see how he''s doing?" Ethan was
inching closer to convince Ines.
"I''ve seen him already." Ines muttered.
She didn''t tell Ethan that she had bumped into Hunter and Ss shopping for the baby.
Ethan frowned, "When did you see him? Howe I didn''t know?"
Ines was a little miffed, ring at Ethan, "Why should I tell you? You keep secrets from me."
Ethan chuckled, hands on Ines'' frail shoulders, looking at her earnestly, "Izzy, have you ever
wondered why you don''t care about other things I don''t tell you, but when ites to Hunter, you
care so much?"
Ines turned her head, lips sealed tight, her mind in turmoil. She could feel her resolve softening.
Maybe since she found out that Hunter was trying to protect her, she stopped hating him as much.
But she was subconsciously avoiding facing it.
"Izzy, stop running from your feelings, okay?" Ethan said.
"Ethan, can you give me some time? Don''t push me. I''m not ready to think about this." Ines this.
"Alright, but you have toe to dinner with me tonight. It''s his birthday." Ethan said.
At this, Ines looked up at Ethan, "Who told you?"
"Ss did." Ethan said.
"He called you?" Ines asked.
Ethan looked at Ines, nodding slightly.
"He didn''t tell me. Only Emma invited me for dinner. But she didn''t mention it''s his birthday." Ines
said, slightly bewildered.
"He hasn''t celebrated his birthday for years. Only when your mom was alive. But they were mainly
focused on the Galeana Group, so birthdays weren''t a big deal. Ss said they''d just have a simple
dinner together. If they were too busy, they''d skip it. He probably didn''t call you, feeling a bit
sheepish. Seems like he''s always troubling you whenever something happens." Ethan said.
Ines stayed silent, pondering for a while, then said, "Alright, let''s go."
Excited, Ethan took her upstairs to change. She put on a slightly loose pale green dress, concealing
her slightly protruding belly.
Ethan told Cam, who just emerged from the kitchen, "Cam, Izzy and I are having dinner with
the Galeana family. We won''t be back tonight and are staying at the house in the city. I''ll bring her
back tomorrow. Let the others know."
"Do I need toe with you?" Cam asked, concerned.
Ethan shook his head, "No need, Cam. It''s just one night. I can take care of Izzy."
Property ? of N?velDrama.Org.
"Alright then." Cam said.
Ethan took Ines to the city. Regardless of their father-daughter rtionship, they couldn''t show up
empty-handed for a birthday celebration. But Ines wasn''t exactly enthusiastic. Ethan asked her what
gift to buy, and she said, "Whatever."
"Izzy, you should show some sincerity, pick out a gift with care." Ethan said.
"Why bring a gift? My presence is the best gift." Ines said, slightly irritated.
Ethan chuckled, stroking Ines'' hair, then pointing at an antique shop, "How about we get him an
antique decoration?"
Ines nced at the items in the shop, then pointed in the direction of themercial street, "No
need to go in, he might not like those things. We might as well go there and get a fishing rod. That
might be more his thing." He needed to unwind a bit.
Ethan thought Ines made sense. He had no clue what Hunter liked. Might as well take Ines''
suggestion. Even though she lost her memory, her intuition was still intact.
"How do you know he doesn''t like antiques?" Ethan asked.
"I''m not sure, but I feel like he might not." Ines said casually.
Ethanughed, "I can''t think of anything better, let''s go get a fishing rod. That way we can save
some money." Ines didn''t object, so they went to the nearbymercial street, and bought a full set
of fishing gear on the seller''s rmendation. Ethan looked at the gift in his hand, frowning slightly,
"This gift is some, I''m embarrassed to present it."
"Then give it to me. I''ll hold it." Ines said tly.
"I was just kidding, I know you mean well, Izzy. You don''t want him to work all the time; you want
him to take a break." Ethan said.
"I just didn''t want to spend money." Ines pouted.
Ethan pinched her face, saying helplessly, "Alright, cheer up. We''re going to celebrate a birthday."
Hearing this, Ines looked at Ethan, shing him a big grin, showing off her pearly white teeth,
looking like she was about to bite him.
She growled, "How''s this?"
Ethan was amused by her childlike antics, couldn''t help butugh. He gently pinched her cheek,
"Izzy, you''re a real character."
Ines swatted his hand away, "Stop making fun of me. I''m not in the mood. Let''s go once we''re done
shopping, it''s too hot."
Once in the car, Ines was out like a light in no time, her face going back to its peaceful and serene
state. She looked like apletely different personpared to the one who was just throwing a
fit. Ethan could only chuckle helplessly, his eyes, however, were filled with deep worry.