Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 478

“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” I quickly regained my composure, else it would be too easy for my panic to give me away.

Neil casually pocketed my phone and asked me, a smirk playing on his lips, “Oh really? Irene, you’ve gone to great lengths to avoid me even making up a story about marrying Russel. But honestly, I was rather pleased when I found out it was a lie.”

Just a couple of days ago, my mother had been urging me to accept Russel, warning me that eventually Neil would discover our sham marriage. Much to my surprise, he had found out today.

My thoughts were a chaotic mess. I forced myself to calm down. “I haven’t made up anything. I am married to Russel. Even though I don’t have feelings for him, I chose to be with him for the sake of our children. It’s perfectly normal.”

Mentioning the children caused Neil’s face to darken. “Irene, I hope for your sake that you’re telling the truth about the children. If you’ve lied about that too, making some other man the father, you’ll have to face the consequences.”

Facing Neil’s threats, I couldn’t deny a sense of fear. I knew this day would come eventually, but it had arrived far too soon.

Serena and Brandon were so young. I feared the damage a custody battle would cause.

“Neil, I’ve never lied to you. I am married to Russel, even though we haven’t formally registered our marriage yet. We’ve had a simple ceremony among friends and family, and that’s enough. As for the children, you’ve seen the paternity test results. There’s no need to embarrass yourself, is there?”

I forced myself to meet Neil’s gaze, trying hard to appear unfazed.

Neil’s eyes were sharp, as if they could dissect a person’s soul. It took great courage to hold his gaze. He was experienced enough to catch someone in a lie.

“As long as you haven’t registered your marriage with Russel, you’re not married,” Neil finally spoke again, steering the conversation back to the matter of me going home. “I’ll take you home. Just follow me.”

I was initially hesitant, but my mind was in turmoil. I didn’t have the mental energy to resist, so I followed him out.

Neil’s car was waiting outside, the driver ready for us. The driver looked somewhat surprised to see me, but he didn’t say anything.

I got into the back seat, and Neil joined me. After he gave the driver an address, he fell silent.

He had clearly had a bit too much to drink that night; he leaned back, eyes closed, my gaze.

“Do you want to say something?” He finally broke the silence, his voice hoarse and languid, adding a seductive quality to the confined space of the car.

“No, I was just chatting with your mom. I hope it made some difference.” I tried to deflect with a casual topic.

“Thank you,” Neil responded, closing his eyes again to rest. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I looked at the bag in my hands, pondering over what to do next. Knowing that Neil was aware of my unregistered marriage with Russel, I was certain he’d bother me again. His words had made his intentions quite clear.

Just when the atmosphere had once again fallen into silence, the car screeched to a halt. I was thrown forward, but Neil’s strong hand around my waist held me back, pulling me against his firm chest.

The mixed scent of alcohol and tobacco filled my nostrils, and I realized I was in Neil’s arms.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Whitmore, a car suddenly came out of nowhere. I didn’t see it…” the driver nervously explained.

Neil’s hand remained on my waist, steady and unyielding.

“It’s fine, keep driving,” he said, his chest vibrating with his words.

I awkwardly extricated myself from his grip and sat back properly. The close physical contact stirred feelings of familiarity and strangeness within me.

“Are you okay?” Neil sounded unexpectedly pleased.

“I’m fine. Sorry, I wasn’t seated properly,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

“No problem,” Neil responded, his reply brief and to the point.

When we were close to my house, I asked the driver to stop. If my mother saw me with Neil, I’d have to endure another storm of criticism. I was tired of it all.

Neil understood my decision and didn’t object. After I got out of the car, he didn’t leave immediately but watched me until I reached my doorstep.

I saw his car slowly driving away, disappearing into the night, just as I closed the door.

As soon as I shut the door, my mother’s voice echoed behind me, “Where’s your car? Who brought you home?”

Just hearing her voice sent chills down my spine, a sense of oppression filling me. I turned to see her looking at me suspiciously, waiting for an answer.

I avoided her gaze and replied nonchalantly, “My car’s in for repairs. I took a cab home.”

“And where were you tonight?” she asked.

“Mom, I’m not a child anymore. Do I have to report to you every time I go out?” I felt a surge of anger. If she found out that Neil knew about my unregistered marriage with Russel, she would use it as an excuse to force me to marry Russel.

Her face fell, disappointment evident in her voice, “Rena, I never interfered with your life, even when you married Neil. But now, you’re disappointing me more and more.”

I didn’t respond, heading to my bedroom instead.

Serena and Brandon were already asleep. They were such well-behaved children, easy to take care of even when I wasn’t home.

My mother followed me into the room. “Since you don’t want me to interfere, I won’t. You father and I have discussed it. With no one to manage Lucas’s company, we thought we should step in. From now on, we won’t interfere in your life, as long as you take good car of Serena and Brandon!”

I was taken aback.

My parents were going to manage my uncle, Lucas’s company. So, it’s just Norah and m left in Eldoria to look after the two kids.

It’s not that the kids are hard to handle, it’s just that I feel I would miss my parents. Sure, Mom and I had our disagreements, but I never held grudges. Especially with her health not being the best, if she gets herself worked up, I’m afraid it might wear her down.