Chapter 405
Chapter 405
The rain outside was pouring down, and its staccato rhythm against the window pane was enough to keep Serena awake. Those big eyes of hers were wide open, staring at me,
Despite my own fear of thunder, seeing my delicate child made me feel a mother’s courage. Every time I sensed a thunderclap was about to explode, I’d cover Serena’s ears right away.
It was as if the heavens had a personál vendetta against us that day. Rather than the quick, passing storm one might expect, the rain seemed to have been increasing in intensity. Outside, shadowy figures occasionally rushed by, their outlines blurry in the deluge.
The phone rang. It was my mother. “Rena,” she said. “Where are you and Serena? You didn’t take an umbrella with you. Try to find shelter; you can’t let the child get wet!”
“We’re fine. We’re waiting out the storm inside a shop.” I reassured her.
“If it gets too bad, your father can bring you an umbrella, or you could buy one,” she suggested, her voice laced with concern.
After a short conversation, I hung up. That’s when Faith spoke up. “Irene, if you need to get home quickly. Neil can run out and get an umbrella, and escort you to your car.”
At her words, Karina instantly glanced at Neil. Faith seemed oblivious to any potential awkwardness, and urged Neil on. “Go buy an umbrella, Neil. A little rain won’t hurt a big guy like you. Can’t let a lady and a child get soaked.”
Neil, already in a sour mood, only looked at me, his eyes a cold steel.
“No need. I can order an umbrella online,” I said quickly.
Ignoring my objection, Faith insisted. “Why bother with that when there’s a mall right across the street? It’s much easier to just have Neil go.”
She didn’t seem to care that her own son might get soaked and catch a cold.
“Neil, go ahead. Ms. Finch’s child needs her sleep. It’s too noisy here. Getting them home would be better, and less worrying for her parents, Karina added, nonchalantly backing up Faith’s insistence.
Faith shot her a look, neither approving nor disapproving.
Without uttering a word, Neil got up and left the shop. His silhouette disappeared across the street, into the mail, as the rain continued to pour.
Holding Serena in my arms, I watched Neil’s retreating figure through the glass door, and a strange feeling washed over me.
Suddenly, Hiram piped up. “Mommy, did Daddy go to the mall? I want a Transformer toy!”
“Hiram, your father went to buy an umbrella for Ms. Finch. It’s raining heavily outside. Next time we’ll get you a Transformer toy, okay?” Karina gently refused his request
“But I want to play now!” Hiram pouted.
Seeing his grandson unhappy, Ryan chimed in. “Just call Neil and have him bring a toy. He’s already at the mall. One extra toy won’t make a difference.”
With that, he dialed Neil’s number and relayed his request.
Hiram’s face lit up at his grandfather’s support. He dashed over to Ryan, giving him a loving peck on the cheek. Ryan’s eyes crinkled up with delight.
I watched their warm interaction in silence, gently rocking Serena in my arms.
A while later, the rain had lightened a bit but still drizzled down relentlessly. Neil emerged from the mall, holding a large, black umbrella. He also carried a bag, presumably containing Hiram’s requested toy.
His clothes were soaked through. When he returned to the shop, I could clearly see his shirt clinging to his muscular chest and abs.
”
“Thank you,” I said politely as he handed me the umbrella.
Neil’s hair was wet, water still dripping from the tips. His face was covered with damp mist, giving him an aura of cold aloofness.
I tried not to stare. It wasn’t appropriate.
Then, Neil handed me something else. It was a boxed doll with black hair and blue eyes, dressed in a golden gown. It was beautiful.
“For what?” I stuttered, not understanding his intention.
“I got it while buying Hiram’s gift. For your daughter,” Neil said quietly, not meeting my gaze. “Consider it a belated welcome gift.”
That gesture took me by surprise. In Neil’s eyes, Serena was my child with Russel. So, why was he giving her a gift?
Seeing my confusion, Neil clarified, “It wasn’t my idea. My mom texted me and insisted I do this. Understand?”
Suddenly, it all made sense. I had thought that Neil had a change of heart, that he was ready to bury the hatchet with Russel and, by extension, be kinder to Serena.
I didn’t want to accept Neil’s gift, but looking at the beautiful doll, I found myself nodding. “Norah, could you keep this for me?”
Norah nodded and took the doll from Neil.
That was the first gift Serena received from her biological father. It might have been the last, but it was a special one.
Faith looked exasperated at her son’s blunt admission. Her face fell as she said, “Neil, escort Irene to her car. She’s holding the baby; you hold the umbrella.”
“Faith, that’s really not necessary. Norah can hold the umbrella, I quickly interjected.
“Neil is taller; he can hold the umbrella better. Let Norah hold another one,” Faith arranged our exit.
Again, I tried to refuse, but Faith found a loophole. “It’s fine, Irene. See, Neil bought two umbrellas. He needs to escort you to your car and bring them back, otherwise, we’d get wet. Our car is parked nearby and we need to walk there.”
Karina had been quiet, just watching Neil and me. Suddenly, she stepped forward. “How about I escort Ms. Finch instead?”
“You needn’t bother. Let Neil do it,” Faith brushed her off directly.
“TH do it. Just wait a sec,” Neil chimed in, shooting me a look that told me to quit wasting time. It was only a few minutes’ walk, so we might as well have gone together.
Norah was under her own umbrella, while Neil was chivalrously shielding Serena and me from the rain with his. Luckily, the wind had died down, so the rain wasn’t blowing onto us.
We had just crossed the road when a car sped past, splashing water in our direction. Neil, quick as a whip, stepped in front of me to block the spray. His clothes, already soaked through, took another beating.
