Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

I picked up the call, Russel said, “Oscar Morse is looking for you, did you block him?”

“Yeah, what does he want from me?” I sat on the couch, eyes closed, resting.

I blocked Oscar when I went abroad. I used to try to find emotional balance through him, but then I realized he was innocent too, dragged into emotional drama at such a young age. So, I blocked all his contacts.

“Don’t you think it’s heartless to ghost people when you’re done using them?” Russel said, but his tone was laced with amusement.

I couldn’t tell he was calling me heartless.

“I feel guilty,” I sighed. “At first, I did use people for emotional comfort. But as time went by, I realized that the boy was actually pretty decent. I didn’t want to treat him like that anymore, so I ghosted him. That proves I still have a conscience.”

“Yeah, you could say you have a conscience,” Russel chuckled at my explanation.

Then he asked, “So, what should I tell him if he comes looking for me?”

Wait, Oscar actually tried to get in touch with Russel for information about me?

I didn’t expect him to care so much.

Feeling even more guilty, I thought for a moment before answering, “Just teil him I went abroad for work after my divorce from Neil and won’t be back for a few years. If he needs help with work in the future, he can turn to you.”

Russel seemed taken aback. “He’s turning to me for work issues? Is he a med student?”

“No, but you’re capable of helping him with his work issues. Dr. Russel, doctors are known for being compassionate. You should lend him a hand” My words left him in silence.

He was probably mulling over how being a kind doctor correlates with helping others find work.

“Don’t worry,” I quickly added, “you can think of it as taking care of a younger brother for me. If you help him, I’ll owe you one.”

I wouldn’t mind owing him one.

do you plan to

Remembering today’s incident, I quickly backtracked. “No, forget it, Dr. Russel. Bonnie’s too fake. Marrying the wrong woman can ruin your life,

end of the line, seemingly

he mocking

on pursuing Bonnie, then I wouldn’t try to dissuade him anymore. I’d respect his

who told you I liked Bonnie? Why are you so

that something was off about Russel, but another part of me was convinced that it was only a matter of time before he fell for Bonnie, just like he did in

like her,” Russel

before that you fell for someone you couldn’t pursue because

Bonnie?”

turned serious. “Why does it have to be Bonnie? Couldn’t it

went blank. What on earth was Russel saying?!

marital status with Neil when he mentioned

me differently. At the time, I was a bit puzzled, but I still believed everything would pan out like it did in my past life,

mess up all

was full of questions and didn’t know how to continue the conversation.

making a point. There are other women out there besides Bonnie. Why must I like her? There

scared me,” I finally breathed a sigh of

my awkwardness and intentionally offered this explanation to soothe

She’s her, I’m me. I

But I also realized that my omnipotent

I should respect Russel’s present thoughts, not bind

sorry I misunderstood you, I

of yourself and watch

up. Just then, I received a notification from the hospital about prenatal

the time. Almost a month had passed since my last

from that in my home country, which I learned from occasional comparisons