Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 448

Russel looked at me with a certain sadness in his eyes.

“You think I haven’t thought of all these things?” he sighed deeply, his smile puzzling.

He was a man of careful thought; how could he not have considered all these? He probably thought more than I did.

“So if you’ve thought of it all, you should know when to cut your losses, Russel. You’d make a great husband and father, but your happiness isn’t with me.” My voice choked up, barely audible by the end.

“I can’t do it. I fear more than anything your absence. How should I cope?” Russel’s eyes were full of melancholy, exacerbating my guilt.

Once upon a time, Russel was aloof and indifferent to everyone, seemingly impervious to all but when he had turned for Bonnie in my past life. Every other time, he remained in control. Now, it seemed like I had made him this way.

It was not my intention; the situation had simply spiraled beyond my expectations.

Let’s get married.” Suddenly, Russel spoke again. His lips were pale but delicate and moist. His voice was clear and magnetic.

He then pulled out the diamond ring from his pocket, staring at me steadfastly, “Irene, will you marry me? Even if I pay a price in the future, I’m willing.” “Stop being foolish, will you?” I wiped the lingering tears from my eyes, sighing softly, “Have you forgotten your mother’s opposition? Even though she’s no longer here, but…”

Speaking of his mother, Lauretta Dawson, Russel’s expression changed. Lauretta had once strongly opposed our relationship, hoping on her deathbed that he would end up with Chloe Reynolds. Unfortunately, Chloe too was no longer here. Everything had changed.

Russel put the ring away, removed his apron and placed it on the rattan chair next to him. He didn’t answer my question, instead smiled faintly, “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

“Russel, I’m serious. I won’t get back with Neil, but you and I won’t work out either.” I was blunt, feeling terrible; some problems couldn’t be solved by being tactful.

“Eat first.” Russel remained stubborn, his gaze never leaving me. I didn’t want to understand the emotions in his eyes, fearing it would only increase my guilt.

Norah then emerged, holding Brandon who was crying, looking a bit awkward, “Miss Finch, Brandon won’t stop crying. Could you maybe take a look?”

Brandon’s face was flushed from crying, looking pitiful. I was holding Serena and couldn’t spare a hand, so Russel immediately came forward to take Brandon.

When Neil wasn’t around, Serena and Brandon were usually easy to soothe. Russel managed to do it in a few minutes, even Norah was impressed.

But the better Russel was with my children, the more uneasy I felt.

“Miss Finch!” Suddenly, Karina’s voice rang from the doorway. I turned to see her standing alone with her bag, looking indifferent, “Has Neil been here?”

I found that Karina liked to come looking for Neil at my place, and coincidentally, Neil was always just there.

“He just left a while ago. Go catch him.” I lowered my gaze to avoid Karina’s eyes, as my eyes were red from crying.

“I actually came to see you.” Karina didn’t leave; she even came in and stood in front of me, “About Mitch’s child, I think we need to clear things up.”

“Stay away from me.” I warned, feeling uncomfortable being close to Karina.

“Your hostility towards me is unnecessary.” Karina smiled quietly, “I just wanted to explain that Mitch found out about the baby here, not from me, but from Hiram. He is a smart boy, remembering that Mitch had mentioned the baby, hoping you wouldn’t blame him or Neil.”

Neil and her had been taking turns to explain the same issue to me, and I was flattered.

But I felt Karina was using Hiram as a scapegoat, pushing everything onto him. After all, Hiram was a child and was adored by Ryan and Faith. Even if he made a mistake, it wouldn’t be too serious.

“Do you think I’ll believe you?” I asked back.

“Does it matter if you believe me? What matters is that Neil believes me, isn’t it?” Karina’s words were layered, seemingly innocent, but they were purposeful.

Karina and Bonnie had this in common: they liked to use Neil to provoke me.

When Neil came to explain about Hiram earlier, I was upset because I felt like a fool being deceived so easily.

“Now that he believes you, isn’t that enough? Why come to explain to me? Karina, don’t you think your actions are a little too conspicuous?” I looked at Karina, my eyes were still red from crying, but I didn’t care anymore.

Karina stared at my tear-streaked eyes and asked sensitively, “Did you two fight? Over Hiram?”

Then, she looked at Russel, “Russel, aren’t you her husband? Can’t you control her?”

“Our matters are none of your business.” Russel’s response to Karina was cold, which surprised me.

Didn’t they have a friendly chat when we went island hopping2

Russel and Karina’s relationship was like a foggy San Francisco morning. Something about it just didn’t sit right with me, yet I couldn’t put my finger on it. And yet, one thing I was sure of, it wasn’t because of any romantic entanglement.

Karina seemed unfazed by Russel’s cold indifference. Her smile, if anything, deepened, “Alright, this is your business, but you have to explain this for me; you know I’m not that type of girl, right?”

With those words, Karina turned on her heel and walked away, showing no intention of sticking around.

Meanwhile, Russel’s expression had turned as grim as a Gotham City night, a frown forming a small crease between his brows, obviously upset. “You’re explaining for her?” I asked, puzzled.

“No, I guess she thinks we were friends once, and that I should trust her.” Russel’s frown smoothed out, his expression easing naturally.