Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 99

“I ain’t going over there this year, why don’t you take Bonnie instead?” I casually tossed the opportunity over to Bonnie, with my hands tucked into my coat pockets I believed she could use this chance.

Neil’s forehead creased creating a small mountain peak, and his eyes held a complex mixture of emotions. It was not quite outright displeasure, but a kind of restrained dissatisfaction.

“We’re not getting a divorce. I’ll take care of Bonnie’s situation”

Honestly, upon hearing this, I felt like I was hallucinating. It sounded like he was choosing me over Bonnie. Wasn’t that just nuts? He was just going to ditch his dream girl like that?

“Neil, quit pulling my leg. Don’t give me empty promises. No, they can’t even be considered promises “I calmly rejected him.

I turned to go inside, but Neil grabbed my arm.

“Let me try” He pleaded for the first time.

He’d never humbled himself like this, not even when he wanted a divorce in my previous life. I felt my heart skip a beat.

Could Neil really be in love with me? But there was no way he loved me more than Bonnie. If he had to give someone up, it would be me.

I figured Neil was probably under pressure from his family and wasn’t ready to take on the world for Bonnie yet, so he wanted to keep using me to appease his family. That was the only plausible explanation I could think of..

“Don’t bother, go home. My dad hasn’t come back yet. If he sees you here when he does, it would be awkward” I maintained my rationality.

Speaking of the devil, my dad was just out dealing with some emergency. My mom was busy cooking and didn’t know Neil was here. Upon seeing Neil, my dad’s face darkened as if he had seen some ill omen. “What are you doing here?” He asked sternly.

“Hello, sir,” Neil greeted politely.

call me that I can’t take it. You’ll have a new father–in-law soon, so go call him that my dad retorted without giving

arm. ‘Dad, Mom needs help in the kitchen. You go,

had promised not to interfere in matters

Even if we don’t divorce right now, there won’t be a happy ending. I’ve convinced my parents not to

plan on getting a divorce. What is

I agreed to marry you to please your grandfather and ease the pressure from your parents, you agreed to it

contained a sudden surge of emotion. “Irene, do you really not know what you’ve caused me to

at him uncomprehendingly. “Freedom?”

“Bullshit

#

had a point. He was just as nonchalant after marriage, showing no restraint despite being a married man. Freedom was simply a matter of desire

phone rang. It was Faith. Despite the tension between Neil and me, Faith had always been on my side. It would

take the call “Irene, are you coming over for the New Year’s Eve dinner with

probably won’t make it this year.” I

over. I have something to tell you. Maybe you’ll understand what Neil has been

intimately familiar with his life, personality, and preferences. What else could

been so cold to

told Ne, “Let’s go. We’re

word. He just turned and walked towards his car. I followed him, initially intending to sit in the front passenger seat but then deciding to sit in the back instead The front seat was Bonnie’s by right, and I had no

Neil’s face to darken even more, but he didn’t comment and just drove

I texted my parents, explaining the situation. Thankfully, they understood and just asked me to return

than usual. What would normally be a four–hour drive took us six hours. We missed lunch and had to wait until dinner.

greeted Ryan and Faith as warmly as ever