Chapter 386
Chapter 386
I decided to head homie, thinking of rallying Stella and the gang from the amusement park, but they were deep into their fun and I hesitated. Eventually, I sent them a text message and went on my way alone.
My house wasn’t too far from here; the walk would help me cool off after the tense situation.
To my surprise, Neil, Karina, and their son Hiram were also heading in the same direction.
“Hey!” Hiram caught up with a couple of strides, waving at the twins, Serena and Brandon, in the stroller before starting to make funny faces at them.
Karina, for once, put a stop to Hiram’s antics, “Hiram, come here!”
Hiram pouted slightly, “Mommy, I’m just having a bit of fun. They’re so cute!”
Karina’s expression shifted subtly at Hiram’s comment, but she quickly agreed, “Yes, they are indeed cute. Don’t you think they resemble that gentleman we saw at the hospital the other day?”
Hiram pondered for a moment before shaking his head and answering, “I don’t think so… I think he…
He pointed at Brandon in the stroller, then at Neil, “He looks like…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Karina quickly interrupted him, “Hiram, have you completed your English workbook today? I remember you rushing out before finishing!”
At Karina’s question, Hiram looked taken aback and a bit anxious, “Mommy, 1…”
Neil spoke up then, “That’s all right, there’s always tomorrow. We can take our time learning.”
Hiram quickly hid behind Neil, nodding vigorously, “Right, Dad. You noticed that my English has improved, right? I’m a genius!”
“Even a genius needs to study hard, got it? Don’t use your dad as a shield,” Karina said with a smile of satisfaction on her face. Seeing Neil and Hiram getting along must’ve made her happy; it’s what she’d been hoping for all those years.
I bit my lip and hastened my pace.
I walked so fast that I stumbled over a rock and twisted my ankle. I was speechless at the unfortunate timing of this accident.
I attempted to push the stroller home despite the intense pain, but it was impossible to ignore and even harder to walk normally.
Neil immediately exclaimed, “How many times are you going to twist those ankles of yours?”
I turned to look at him, surprise flashing in his eyes. He seemed as surprised as I was about his subconscious reaction. His surprise quickly turned into indifference “Has Ms. Finch always had a history of twisting her ankles?” Karina asked, glancing between Neil and me. “If so, it’s best to get it checked at the hospital.
“No need. I’ll just apply some ointment when I get home,” I declined Karina’s suggestion, attempting to continue walking despite the pain.
The exertion needed to push the stroller only amplified the pain in my ankle.
Just as I was about to call my parents for help, someone took the stroller from me. A set of long, well- defined hands gripped the handle and continued to push the
stroller forward.
I looked at Neil in surprise and confusion. What was he trying to do in front of Karina?
“Ms. Finch, let me help you walk,” Karina offered, not seeming upset at all. Instead, she supported me, allowing me to walk more easily.
Neil’s expression softened slightly at Karina’s actions.
I pretended not to notice.
His gaze was starting to annoy me.
Since they both insisted on playing the good Samaritans, I saw no reason to refuse. I let Neil push the stroller while Karina supported me, all the way home.
We arrived at my doorstep in about ten minutes.
“All right, this is it. Thanks for your help tonight,” I extracted my hand from Karina’s and took the stroller from Neil, thanking them with a smile.
The whole walk, they acted like a couple, especially with Hiram running around. His innocent questions made Karina laugh, and she would then pass those questions on to Neil, allowing father and son to interact.
If it weren’t for my limping between them, they would’ve looked like a couple taking their eldest son and twin babies out for a stroll.
“TII push it to the door,” Karina offered, taking the stroller from me and continuing towards my door.
I was about to refuse, not wanting to make my parents uncomfortable when Russel, my neighbor, suddenly emerged from his house. Seeing me with Neil and Karina, he quickly approached, supporting me by the arm.
“What happened? Twisted your ankle again?” Russel asked, concerned.
“Yeah, I walked too fast. How come you’re back so soon?” I countered.
“Worried you couldn’t handle the twins alone, so I rushed back. Have Serena and Brandon been behaving?” Russel took over the stroller, intentionally distancing himself from Neil and Karina.
Karina looked bemused, “Seems like Ms. Finch does twist her ankle quite often. Even Russel knows.”
I smiled at her, “Well, one’s my ex-husband and the other’s my current. It’s only normal for them to know.”
As long as I answered nonchalantly, she couldn’t make me uncomfortable, and I could even turn the tables.
Sure enough, Karina’s smile faltered slightly, but she maintained her composure and returned to Neil’s side, “Neil, Ms. Finch is in good hands now. Let’s go back and rest, Hiram must be tired as well.”
Neil’s face remained unchanged, yet I could detect a shift in his mood, a subtle undercurrent of gloom that seemed to hover around him like a thermometer gradually rising.
“Hey, you must be tired, too. Next time, ditch the stilettos, okay? Aren’t your feet hurting?” Neil glanced down at Karina’s shoes. His words carried a gentle reproach.
Caught off guard, Karina quickly flashed a radiant smile and nodded. “All right, I’ll take your advice. I’ll wear flats next time we go out. So, you won’t have to worry.”
Neil curved his lips into a smile. “Good, that’s my girl. Let’s go.”
With that, be the initiative to hold Karina’s hand and turned to leave. For a fleeting moment, he glanced at me, and his eyes were filled with coldness.
