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.

The driver looked somewhat surprised to see me, but

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

bit too much to drink that night;

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my gaze.

the silence, his voice hoarse and languid,

hope it made

Neil responded, closing his eyes again

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

a halt. I was thrown forward, but Neil’s strong hand around my waist held me back, pulling me against

tobacco filled my nostrils,

arms.

of

on my waist, steady

keep driving,” he said, his chest

awkwardly extricated myself from his grip and sat back properly. The close physical contact stirred feelings

okay?” Neil sounded unexpectedly pleased.

I wasn’t seated properly,” I

reply brief and to the

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

car, he didn’t leave immediately but watched me

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