Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 348

Just as I nodded in agreement, my phone rang. The sudden noise in the quiet living room sent my heartbeat racing. Seeing the caller ID, I felt a headache coming on.

Sure enough, it was my mom.

I didn’t want to answer it, but I was worried that ignoring it would make her suspicious. So I gave Neil a look and picked up the call,

“Rena, where are you? Why haven’t you come home yet?” My mom’s stern voice put me under a lot of pressure.

“I’m on my way home. I was out shopping with Alicia Rider.” I quickly made up an excuse, my insides churning with anxiety.

“You’re with Alicia? Really?” My mom asked doubtfully, “Then where is she? Let her talk to me.”

Well, that was a pickle. I glanced nervously at Neil, who was quietly watching me with a serious expression.

“She just left. I’ll have her call you later, okay? I’m about to head home too.” I had no choice but to keep up the lie.

My mom wasn’t easily fooled. “No need. I’ll call Alicia directly. I have her number!”

She hung up before I could coordinate with Alicia. Cold sweat trickled down my back, and I felt extremely uneasy.

Neil’s gaze was piercing, as if seeing right through me. He suddenly said, “I’ve already texted Alicia. It should be fine.”

I was taken aback, “Really?”

an eyebrow and said, “Feels like we’re having

made me

Neil. I just waited in silence. A couple of minutes later, my phone rang again. It

quick thinking and Alicia seeing his message in time, my lie was salvaged. My mom only told me to get home soon. I thought that was it, but then she suddenly brought up Russel Dawson, “Rena, did Russel say anything to you? After he brought you food, did

suddenly spiked. I quickly

already changed. There was a clear flash of anger in his eyes.

my mom did that intentionally. Even though Alicia vouched for me, she was still

care about him anymore, what she said wouldn’t be a problem. But if Neil heard, it would definitely cause trouble between us, which was exactly

between Russel and me. Stop doing this.” I was speechless at my mom’s behavior; her illness had changed

an awkward silence, not knowing how to face

sweep away. He just looked at me, with no trace of a smile

frowned as I explained about Russel coming over for dinner.

surprisingly, he got even angrier, “You knew he was at your house. Why

And Russel had never entered my room without my

started seeing him again while I was away?” Neil accused me. His voice was filled with jealousy. “Why

approach him. My mom invited him. After waking up, her personality seems to have changed. She doesn’t approve of us being together. In her mind, she wants me to be with Russel, so she deliberately arranged for

give Russel any hints? I’m pretty sure I didn’t. I made

was on full display as he scoffed, “Is that so? Then why didn’t you handle things more decisively? When he showed up at your house, you should’ve told him to leave. Or you could’ve told your mom that we’re not just seeing each other but planning to remarry, have children, and spend our lives together. How

right now.

turned icy, “This is something your mom will have to accept sooner or later.

tell Neil that I couldn’t say those things, and I had even

all ties with him, and we would leave Rosemont.