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?”

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

description made me cringe.

didn’t respond to Neil. I just waited in silence. A couple of minutes later, my phone rang again.

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

I quickly looked at Neil, worried

already changed. There was a clear flash of anger in

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

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

there’s nothing between Russel and me. Stop doing this.” I was speechless at my mom’s behavior; her illness had changed

awkward silence, not knowing how to face

couldn’t sweep away. He just looked at me, with no trace of a smile on

frowned as I explained about Russel coming over for dinner.

understand. But surprisingly, he got even angrier, “You knew he was at your house. Why didn’t you lock your door? Did you do it on purpose to

never entered my room without my permission before. I thought he wouldn’t do

accused me. His voice was filled with jealousy. “Why can’t you cut him off completely?”

being together. In her mind, she wants me to be with Russel, so she deliberately arranged for us to be together. You get it?” I was getting angry then. Russel’s actions made me uncomfortable, and then Neil was blaming me

pretty sure I didn’t. I made

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,

can’t deal with the shock right now. I

supposed to deal with these shocks instead?” Neil’s voice turned icy, “This is something your mom will have to accept sooner or later. The sooner she knows, the sooner she can prepare herself, Isn’t that better?”

Neil that I couldn’t say those things, and

him, and we would leave