Chapter 178
Chapter 178
I was left with a pang of guilt, feeling like Russel’s eyes were filled with disappointment.
In hindsight, me telling him to go with the flow last time was a mistake. It was as if I gave him some sort of hint, and maybe I should’ve been clearer to him to stop wasting his time on me.
When I joined, the dinner table got all weird. Everyone was just minding their own business, eating and hardly speaking, especially Neil and Russel. Their interaction was almost nonexistent
Bonnie’s phone ringing out of the blue broke the awkward silence.
Her face turned all weird after a glance at the caller ID. She waved at Malinda and went out to take the call.
“Stella, I’ve lost my appetite. I’m gonna head out.” The atmosphere was making me feel queasy, let alone eating.
“Alright!” After hearing me out, Stella immediately realized that there was probably no hope of getting Neil’s help. She didn’t blame me though, just told me to be careful on my way.
I waved at Louis and left.
After leaving the private room, I sent the chat log between me and Neil to Stella.
Stella wrote back, “Don’t worry about it, Rena, I won’t let you get screwed over. Who knows what Neil could have made you do?”
I was thinking the same.
Just as I was leaving the hotel, I saw a familiar figure. I couldn’t help but take a second look.
Finn was alone in the hotel lobby, looking around. When he saw me, there was a noticeable change in his eyes, as if he recognized me.
I had a bad feeling about this.
But Finn just looked at me for a few seconds, then took the elevator upstairs. I took note of the floor he was on; it was the same one where I had dinner.
Was this a coincidence?
After a while, Finn didn’t come back down, so I decided to leave.
Just as I was getting in the car, Neil showed up. Was he leaving too?
“What are you doing in my car?” I asked Neil, who was sitting in the passenger seat, clearly not thrilled about it.
“I’m gonna tell you where Halley is Neil’s profile was quite exquisite. He looked indifferent, showing no intention of helping me.
I was surprised, “So I don’t owe you anymore?”
“Actually, you do Neil turned to look at me, his eyes fixed on me, “How about we go to a movie?”
I did not see this coming.
Usually, going to a movie alone was something couples or married people do.
Neil and I were a divorced couple, so it was kind of weird for us to go to a movie. But if it’s just a movie, no strings attached, I guess I can live with that.
I thought for a moment, “All right, tell me where Halley is first.”
A smirk flashed across Neil’s face. He swiftly sent me an address and said, “Finn took him, but I didn’t check why.”
He wouldn’t bother with things that don’t concern him.
I nodded and quickly sent the address to Stella, asking her and Mitch to call the police.
After I finished texting, Neil said, “See you tonight. I’ll send you the time and place”
“All right,” I replied.
Just then, Russel showed up in the distance.
Neil’s smile disappeared as soon as he saw Russel. He got out of the car.
The two of them exchanged a glance as they passed each other. There was a coldness, even hostility, between them.
I felt a headache coming on. Why did it always have to be this awkward?
Russel approached me I thought he would ask what Neil and I were talking about, but he just reminded me, “Be careful on your way.”
“All right, Russel,” I said guiltily, “I had something to ask Neil for”
“Right. Hopefully one day, when you need help, I’ll be the first person you think of.” Russel smiled, but there was a sense of loneliness in his smile.
Watching him walk away, I felt a pang of bitterness, I was intentionally avoiding him.
He was the only one who knew I might never be able to get pregnant again. Did he not mind the fact that he might not be able to be a father if he was
with me?
Even if he agreed, his parents might object.
With a sigh of resignation, I drove home.
My parents were home, discussing something and looking a bit down.
Seeing me back, they frowned even more.
Dad, Mom, what’s wrong?” I asked, puzzled.
Nothing, where have you been?” My mom asked with a forced smile.
had dinner with Stella and then came back,” I replied.
My parents exchanged a glance. “Neil didn’t join you, did he?” My dad asked.
No, he didn’t,” I shook my head.
I was lying. If I admitted it, my parents would probably get upset and start blaming me.
You must cut all ties with Neil, do you understand? i think Dr. Russel is quite good. He told me he likes you. Why don’t you consider accepting him?” my mom said
I was a bit shocked. My fears had come true. I had a feeling my mom was acting differently towards Russel when he came over last time.
“Dad, Mom, it’s impossible for me to be with him. You know the relationship between Russel and Neil. How could I be with him?” I made my thoughts
clear
My dad got angry, and he said, “So what? He and Neil are not on good terms now, aren’t they? He hasn’t had any scandals all these years. He’s completely different from Neil. You young people are so open. Why can’t you accept him? Do you want to start over with Neil?”
Indeed, I met with Neil and agreed to go to a movie with him tonight. But that was because I wanted to find someone to save Halley as soon as possible. As for Neil, what I can do is to repay his favor as soon as possible, not to solve it with money.
“Dad, what’s wrong with you guys today? Why are we suddenly talking about this?” I was getting a bit frustrated.
My mom pursed her lips and said, “You had dinner with Stella today, and Neil was there too, right? You are lying to us, right?”
How did my parents know?
“Who told you?” I asked in surprise.
“You don’t need to know who told us. In short, you are not allowed to go out these days. Just stay home and behave!” my dad ordered firmly.
It seemed that my plan to go to a movie with Neil tonight was off.
I tried to explain, but my parents wouldn’t hear it. They insisted that I completely cut off contact with Neil and not speak a word to him.
Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Neil, “Pick a movie you wanna see and let me know.”
Before I could even tell him my current situation, my phone was snatched away by my mom and dad, “We’ll keep your phone for now, just to stop you from chit–chatting with him!”
