Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 443

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness for Serena and Brandon, thinking of Neil’s gentle tone when he’d picked up Hiram earlier.

Neil would have been such a wonderful father, if only…

O

After spending some time with the kids, I carried little Yara out and headed over to Russel’s place.

He was already at work, but I knew the key and the code to the front door, so I let myself in with no trouble.

Daisy and Boomer were sleeping but awakened at my entrance. Daisy barked a few times, thinking we had an intruder, but upon recognizing me, her barks turned into happy tail wags.

I gave the two adorable creatures a smile before carrying Yara up to the guest room on the second floor.

After settling her down, I sent Norah a text asking her to stay over at my place tonight and keep Serena and Brandon company.

Once everything was arranged, my phone rang. It was a call from Stella. She must have shown great restraint to hold off calling me this long. Her temperament had clearly mellowed over the past few days. The old Stella would have been hounding me with calls every minute.

“Rena, tell me you knocked that vixen out cold!” Stella demanded hotly.

“I didn’t, but she’ll probably quit tomorrow,” I replied.

“Quit? She can do that? Women like her are experts at clinging to men. I know she won’t be easy to get rid of. That jackass Mitch, trying to take my child, getting tangled with a woman like that. I’m so over it,” Stella scoffed bitterly.

I filled Stella in on the details, and she fell silent for a while.

I wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but I was certain she still had feelings for Mitch, which were shattered by Ariana’s appearance.

been smarter, if he’d apologized sincerely before things got too serious with Ariana, he might have been able to convince Stella to give him

was a fool, his brain apparently devoured by

see,” was all Stella said before ending our

sighed, glancing at Yara asleep on the bed. Her dad was such a blockhead.

morning, Norah sent me a text.

time, it was already ten!

quickly turned to check on Yara, but

lightning. I shot up and checked under the bed and in the blankets, but Yara was

in and kidnapped her? The thought

of the room and ran downstairs.

“Bark! Bark!”

“Meow~”

running down, they

no mood to play. I wanted to go out and

I didn’t even notice the delicious

you going?” Russel’s voice

turned around in surprise. Russel was wearing an apron, carrying a steaming bowl of greens. His handsome face was expressionless, but his eyes

was a baby stroller, with Yara lying

down, feeling as if I

wake me? You scared me half to

got home at eight. Daisy and Boomer were upstairs guarding the room, so I checked in and found you and Yara sleeping soundly. You looked tired, so I didn’t wake you up. I just

dining room, set down the bowl of greens, and removed his apron. He wiped

surprised I’d slept in so late. I was a bit hungry, but I wanted to check on Serena and Brandon first. I’d spent the night away from them, which made me anxious.

to read my mind. He pulled out a chair, “Sit down. I’ll

I quickly