Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 223

I immediately sensed the tension in the air. I nudged Neil gently. “I’ve said all there is to say. You can go now.”

“When did you ever clear things up?’ Neil’s eyes were locked on Russel, even as he responded to me

Russel finally got on his feet. He walked into the living room and shut the door behind him.

My living room was not big. With Neil and Russel, two big and burly guys, it felt a bit cramped.

“Neil, why are you hassling my girlfriend?’ Russel asked in an ice-cold tone.

“I’m just trying to get back with my ex-wife” Neil retorted shamelessly.

“But she’s my girlfriend now. You’re history. As a man, you should accept reality, not desperately cling to her. Russel tried to reason with Neil, but his eyes were filled with anger.

Neil scoffed, seemingly unphased, “As long as I’m alive, I’m not history. And you, after all these years of friendship, this is how you treat me?”

From any angle, Russel was in the wrong here. That was how the outside world saw it, too. Even if I were the last woman on Earth, Russel shouldn’t have gotten together with his friend’s ex-wife.

Russels face changed instantly. He had a flash of complex emotions in his eyes, and clearly guilt was among them. He glanced at me, and I returned his gaze silently. At this point, I could pretty much take anything. If Russel couldn’t handle the pressure and decided to break up with me, I could take that

too.

I took a lot of hits in this life and in my past life. Because of this, my ability to endure had grown stronger.

“I owe you this one. When the time is right, I’ll make it up to you.” Russel explained.

Neils face was stone-cold. “I dont need you to owe me anything, and I don’t need compensation. All I need is for you to break up with Irene.” That’s not going to happen!” Russel was adamant.

stood in front of Neil with him. I won’t give him up either Neil, you need to move on.” Neil’s gaze was fixed on our clasped hands. His teeth clenched, and his eyes

back now.

surprised by my initiative. A relieved smile spread

left, slamming the door behind him with a

heart skipped a beat.

about that. Something sudden came up at -work. I left immediately after my shift, but you still had to

little.” I admitted. “I thought you were hanging out with your other friends

me. “There’s nothing going on between us. You’re all think about every second. But I can’t help but feel a little happy to see you act jealous over me.”

smacked his hand away. “Then keep feeling happy! You might just

head immediately. “No, no, no! If I screw up again, you can slap me until you’re not mad

sincere, I’ll forgive you this time. Now, come eat barbecue with me.” As I spoke, I headed to the kitchen and took out the

The once-chilly apartment now felt a bit warm.

we were eating, I told Russell would be going on a business trip the next day. He asked, “How long will you be

takes me

long? What am I supposed to do when I

“Who knew that you would be so clingy?”

grilled steak and said gently, “I only cling to

to time. The rain was getting heavier, as if someone were pouring water from

He was so stubborn that he was probably still standing downstairs, right?

Russel kindly cleaned up the table, tossed the dishes and utensils into the dishwasher, then brought out a plate of washed fruit from

I

and looked at me, “So do I

thought, I peeled a grape for him, ‘Here’s a grape

to be indifferent,

do you want as a reward then?” I asked