Chapter 372
Chapter 372
Russel was over the moon when I agreed to let him accompany me on a stroll.
Mom had a real knack for buying houses. That entire area boasted sea views and was surrounded by tourist attractions, attracting visitors often.
It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was warm. It was a lot warmer than the winter in Rosemont. Some people even made it their winter getaway spot.
The beach was bustling with people playing in the sand. Kids were running around, giggling; it was a lively scene.
I sat on a bench, soaking in the sights, feeling pretty good.
“There’s a stall selling yogurt ice cream. I’ll go grab some!” I spotted a yogurt ice cream stall and hopped up, ready to get some.
But Russel stopped me, “Hold up, let me do it. The line’s long; it could take a while.”
He had a point. With my babies bump, standing for a long time would have been uncomfortable. It would have been even worse if someone accidentally bumped into me. I had no choice but to agree, “Alright, I’ll hit the loo first.”
;
While Russel stood in line for the ice cream, I made a beeline for the public restroom. Thanks to my pregnancy, I had to pee frequently, and squatting was a struggle. So, a toilet was my only option.
The public restroom didn’t have any toilets, so I had to make do.
Just as I finished up and was about to leave, I heard a familiar voice outside, “Hiram, go outside and find your dad. This is the ladies’ restroom. Boys can’t come in!” “Why do you say he’s my dad, but he doesn’t want me to call him dad?” Hiram asked in fluent English, his tone filled with confusion.
I froze. “Holy cow! I moved here and now I run into Karina and Hiram?” I thought to myself.
I didn’t dare to step out of the stall, hiding away, because I couldn’t let Karina find out was pregnant.
“Hiram, because he hasn’t been with you all these years, you two haven’t built a close relationship. Plus, I left him without saying goodbye back in the day. Now that I have suddenly brought you back, he might feel a bit strange. But as long as you behave well, he will definitely accept us!” Karina’s voice was gentle, yet it sounded somewhat cold.
Hiram didn’t quite understand, “Really? I feel like Ryan Whitmore and Faith Whitmore like me better, but they don’t like you. Why is that?”
Hiram was smart; he knew how to read people.
I propped up my belly with one hand, feeling tired from standing for so long. Walking around seemed more comfortable.
Karina patiently explained to Hiram, “It’s because I left without saying goodbye. They were upset. If you want Ryan and Faith to like me too, Hiram, you’ll have to behave well.”
“What does behaving well mean?” Hiram asked again.
“Be polite and intelligent. Make Ryan and Faith happy. Would you like me with you when they’re happy?” Karina guided Hiram gently.
“I wish. I want you to live with me. 1 like Ryan and Faith too, but I’d feel sad without you by my side.” Hiram responded a little sadly.
That was exactly what Karina wanted to hear. She chuckled, “Then, Hiram, you’ll need to bring up this topic more often with them. Maybe one day they will like me because they like you.”
Hearing Karina’s words, I felt a mix of emotions.
Before she came back, I was sure that Ryan and Faith would choose me, believing I was the only woman suitable for Neil. But then it was different, Karina came back with Hiram, their long-awaited grandson. And when the news about my infertility broke out, no matter how reluctant they were, they would have had to accept Karina under the circumstances.
“I get it!” Hiram replied cheerfully, “Okay, I’ll go find him!”
It was beyond belief that I moved here and Neil showed up with Karina and Hiram. Wasn’t that just making trouble for me?
I was a little flustered but didn’t dare make a sound. I only listened to Karina’s movements, waited for her to finish washing her hands, and leave before I dared to step out.
My phone rang. It was Russel, “Where did you go?”
“I’m not feeling well. I need to go home. Can you get a ride?” I replied.
If I walked back, I might have run into Neil and Karina. It was better to take a ride home. It would have been faster too.
Russel didn’t ask further. About ten minutes later, he told me he was at the restroom door.
I quickly got out and hopped in the car. Looking out through the windshield, there was no sign of Neil or them, “Let’s head home.”
“I have a few flavors of yogurt ice cream. Eat whichever you fancy.” Russel handed me the packaged yogurt ice cream first.
“I was craving it before, but now I had no appetite. I didn’t know how long Neil and Karina were planning to stay, and I didn’t want a chance encounter with them.
“Thanks. I have it later.” I was a bit down.
“Are
you
tired?” Russel asked me thoughtfully as he drove me home.
I shook my head and hesitated before asking. “Russel, did you run into anything or anyone while buying the yogurt ice cream?”
Russel thought for a moment, then shook his head, “No, why? Did you see something?”
“Neil and Karina are here. I originally didn’t want to tell Russel, but it was better to let him know so he could avoid them as well. Otherwise, my location could have been easily revealed.
Hearing that, Russel paused before asking, “Are you sure?”
Of course, I was sure. Karina and Hiram’s voices and their conversation were enough to confirm that Neil was there too.
Russel didn’t say anything, but his expression turned serious. When we got home, we immediately informed my dad and mom about the situation. Our house was
really close to the beach, so it naturally attracted a lot of visitors. As long as we kept the door shut, we were safe. But once the door was opened, it was easy to spot.
Dad and mom went dead serious in a flash. To them, that was undoubtedly a kick in the teeth.
Before they heard about Karina’s return, they’d asked me if I was planning to rekindle things with Neil. Their attitude seemed like they were out of my love life. But, as soon as Karina’s situation blew wide open, they became icy cold, vehemently opposing any contact I’d have with Neil.
With Neil lurking around, they naturally had to be on high alert and put off. They were super worried that I’d land in hot water again, which could have dragged me and the kids into a mess.
