Chapter 379
Chapter 379
Once upon a time, Karina was the one who had fallen for Russel first before ending up with Neil, so it was only natural that Russel was a bit more than just a friend for her.
His words, at that moment, could still strike a chord.
“Mommy, who’s that man?” Hiram asked.
“He’s an old friend of mommy’s, sweetie, and he knew your daddy too.” Karina was always so patient with Hiram, her voice soft and gentle, always revealing how much she treasured her little boy.
As soon as I got in the car, I took the child from my mother’s arms. I simply couldn’t resist the urge to hold them.
But my mother wasn’t in the best mood. She glanced out of the window and sighed, “It never ends. First Bonnie Tueley, now Karina. Rena, you need to cut all ties with Neil. He can’t make you happy!”
The main issue was that Neil had found me, making my parents anxious. Now that I was carrying his children, they worried that I might have a change of heart and return to him for the sake of having a “complete family.” I
But I had never thought of doing so. In fact, I had already decided to take the kids and move overseas as soon as my health permitted.
If Karina could disappear overseas with her child for years without anyone knowing, why couldn’t I do the same?
For my children, I was willing to try anything.
I shared my plan with my parents as soon as we got home. But they disagreed, fearing that raising two kids overseas by myself would be too strenuous. It wasn’t about the money but the mental exhaustion.
If I insisted on going, they wanted to join me.
Of course, I wanted to be with my parents. They surely wanted to watch their two little grandchildren grow up.
But given the circumstances, I had no choice but to leave the country. My mother had health issues and couldn’t fly. Even before her heart problems had emerged, she had only traveled by car or high- speed train.
My parents were both homesick and giving up their company to move here had been a huge change for them.
They wouldn’t be comfortable if they were to go overseas with me. I was sure of that.
1
“Dad, Mom, it’s okay. I’ve lived abroad for two years before. I’ve been to many places. Don’t worry!” I tried to reassure them. “I’ll come back in a few years. By then, Neil will have moved on.”
“No, we have to go with you. If something happened to you out there, we won’t be able to help!” My mother was worried sick and insisted on joining me. “We can all came back together in a few years.”
Just when I was at a loss for what to do, Russel spoke up. “Mr. Finch and Mrs. Finch, if you trust me, I can go with Rena. I promise I’ll take good care of her and children.”
“This… uh…” My parents were taken aback by Russel’s words and didn’t know what to say.
“Russel, you don’t have to do this. I can handle this on my own!” I interjected. If I was going to avoid Neil by going abroad, there was no point in dragging Russel
into it.
the
But Russel didn’t see it that way. “You were fine when you were abroad alone. But now you have two children who need care. You’re a new mom. You won’t be able to handle it on your own.”
“I can hire a nanny.” I had my own plans.
“Do you really trust a stranger in a foreign land?” Russel countered.
My mother chimed in. “Yes, Rena. If Russel can accompany you, your father and I will feel much better. You can all come back in a few years.”
“Mom, that won’t work!” I stuck to my decision.
My mother was stubborn. “Either you and Russel go together, or we all go together!”
Even my father spoke up. “Rena, we don’t want to force you, but sometimes you must listen to us. Russel was okay with it. Please, for our peace of mind, agree to this, will you?”
Before I could reply, a baby started crying, and I had to soothe him.
My mother sighed and went to the kitchen. My father and Russel joined me in comforting the baby.
After a while, my father went to help my mother in the kitchen. I sat quietly on the sofa, contemplating their words.
“They’re just worried about you.” Russel sat down next to me, cradling my son in his arms. The little guy was full of energy, wide-eyed and alert.
When Russel held him, he was well-behaved, occasionally making “cooing” sounds that melted my heart.
Looking at this scene, Lfelt a warmth from Russel. It was not romantic, but an affectionate care for the baby. Maybe he would make a good father,
I was startled by my own thoughts. Being a mother seemed to make everything revolve around the child.
This made me understand my parents’ concerns. What if the kids wanted to meet their father one day? Could I stand to stay silent?
As I was lost in thought, the doorbell rang.
Russel went to answer the door with the baby in his arms. I stood by the living room entrance, feeling a strange sense of foreboding.
As the gate swung open, Neil stood there, his first glance falling on Russel holding the baby. There was a flash of jealousy in his eyes. “Russel, close the door!” I ordered, ignoring Neii.
Russel glanced back at me and started to close the door.
Neil blocked it with his hand, his long legs stepping through the gate. He looked around before settling his gaze on me. “So you’ve been hiding here all this time?”
“I wasn’t hiding.” I leaned against the door, my expression indifferent. “I sold my company and moved. If you had paid attention, you would’ve noticed. Neil, I made it clear at the hospital. What business do
you have here?”
Russel, cradling the child in his arms, returned to the living room. He gently settled the little one into a crib, soothing it with tender words and pats. Then, he pulled up a chair for me, “Why don’t you sit for a bit and soak in some sunshine.”
“Sure.” I slid into the chair, accepting Russel’s thoughtful gesture with an easy grace.
