Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 476

My words had barely left my mouth when Russell’s demeanor noticeably shifted, his entire presence exuding a powerful intensity. I seemed to have provoked him, as his face was

painted with an anger I had never seen before.

However, he didn’t lash out at me. He merely clenched his fists, staring at me with a restrained fury.

“Did you visit Neil today?” Russel asked suddenly.

“Yes,” I confirmed, neither denying my actions nor explaining why I had gone. If Russel wanted to misunderstand my intentions, then let him. I was perfectly content to let him think I was still hung up on Neil, so he could finally let go.

As expected, Russel’s eyes darkened at my admission. His gaze, sharp as a knife, cut through me like a hot blade through butter.

But I wasn’t afraid. If we didn’t have this confrontation, we would only be wasting more time.

“Where exactly do I fall short compared to Neil? Anything he can provide, I can offer you even more!” Russel’s emotions finally started to flare up. I knew he had been holding back for far too long.

Seeing his emotional unrest, I found myself oddly calm. My voice softened considerably, “It’s not a matter of you being less than Neil, but me being unable to fall in love with you. Being with someone you don’t love is agonizing, and I think you understand that.”

Russel had been forced into an engagement with Chloe in the past. During that period, he didn’t even have the intérest to look at her.

Perhaps because he understood that feeling, he couldn’t respond to my words. The disappointment and unwillingness in his eyes were painfully apparent.

I had seen that look before, when he told me that Bonnie didn’t love him.

Unconsciously, I had become the second Bonnie, his unattainable goal. In the end, it was hard to tell whether his pursuit was born out of love or a distorted desire to win.

came out looking for us again. Seeing Russel’s distressed expression, she immediately shot me a

leave,” Russel managed to say in a controlled

my mother called out, but

her brows furrowed in anger. “Rena, what did

him this upset before. I couldn’t

1/3

09:24

Chapter 476

myself to accept Russel. You and dad should give up on that idea,” I said firmly, leaving

Russel to be this strong, to the point where I was willing to overlook the potential danger of

argue with my mother any further that day, so I quickly

a few times, but I didn’t respond. She probably didn’t

several days, my mother tried to persuade me to stop rejecting Russel, even suggesting the idea of

pushed, the more I resisted, creating a tense

hoped you could be with Russel. Since you’ve made up your

back in a few days, then it was the perfect opportunity to

mother’s words, focusing instead on trimming Serena and Brandon’s nails. My phone rang, and seeing that it was Faith, I set down the nail clippers and walked out

voice was as gentle and kind as always.

haven’t been in touch. If you’re free tonight, let’s catch up,” I agreed, not wanting to

at a nearby private café, Bloom & Brew. Faith enjoyed gardening and the café had a lovely ambiance,

Serena and Brandon to Norah’s care, I set out to meet Faith at the café.

pinned up. The violet bracelet on her wrist, also a gift from me, added a touch of

seat,” Faith greeted me warmly.

friendly smile eased the tension I had been feeling