Chapter 516
It turned out Neil knew about Louis and Russel’s collaboration all along.
“So, are you busy dealing with both of them now?” I asked.
“Yeah, and there are other company matters to handle, too. I can’t leave Hiram with Karina, which is why I turned to you.” Neil seemed to have made up his mind to let Karina go, but. he wanted to keep the kid.
If I were in his shoes, I would never accept someone else taking my child. But Karina’s actions were indeed horrifying. She was so fixated on Neil that she treated her own child like a mere tool.
“The problem is, I can’t help you, Neil.” I declined him once again. Hiram was very resistant towards me. Even if I pitied him for having an irresponsible mother, I just couldn’t take care of him.
If I had the time, I’d rather take care of Serena and Brandon myself.
“You have to help me.” Neil’s tone was firm. “I’ll make you a deal. If Russel and Louis stop troubling for me, I’ll let bygones be bygones and won’t seek revenge. Are you satisfied with this?”
The calmness on the surface was all a facade. Russel seemed to have tricked me, yet not tricked me at the same time.
“Let’s talk when I get back.” I was currently busy with sending off my two kids. I had no time to deal with Neil and someone else’s child.
“Where are you going?” Neil caught onto the key point of my words. “When will you be back?”
Did I have to report my whereabouts to him?
I replied impatiently, “That’s none of your business. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. Then, I’ll give you my answer. But you should also think about what you promise me. If you and Russel keep this up, you’ll only drag me down. I’m living my life peacefully, and I don’t have time to be a troublemaker!”
If the cause of their conflict had nothing to do with me, they could even break into each other’s houses and stab each other a dozen times, and I wouldn’t interfere.
But because it involves me, I had no choice. Even if I tried to turn a blind eye, trouble would still come to me.
As a person who has lived twice, I was not naive enough to think I could avoid all troubles.
“If you had remarried me directly before, without giving Russel any hope, none of this would have happened.” Neil’s voice was heavy and cold, tinged with jealousy.
“Neil, be clear about your current status. You have Karina and a seven-year-old son. Stop wasting your time here, okay? You and Russel have the same brain structure. How can you both not understand this?” My words were a bit harsh.
Neil went speechless. His lips curved coldly, devoid of any emotion, and his eyes were just staring at me.
Even if he had nothing for Karina but a sense of responsibility, there was still a Hiram between us. I was not a generous woman, and I had to consider my own children.
A complete family was certainly important, but I didn’t want Serena and Brandon to know they had a half-brother when they grew up.
This thought made me more determined to send the children to my parents’ place. Until the matters here were resolved, I didn’t want Neil to see the kids again, nor did I want them to be exposed under Karina’s watch, in case any unbearable accident happened.
I ignored Neil, returned to my car, and drove away.
Nearly ten hours of driving, plus the time needed for breaks and to feed the kids and change their diapers, had significantly extended the journey. It was almost midnight when we finally arrived at Lucas’s place.
My parents were living here now. The last time visited, I was seeking help for my family. But now…
Looking at the familiar yet alien villa, my eyes reddened a bit, and an uncomfortable feeling sprouted.
I rang the doorbell. My parents were still awake and waiting for me. They hurriedly came out to greet me, taking the kids from Eliza and me, showering them with kisses.
“Oh, my two little treasures! It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I miss you so much!” My mom, looking like she missed them dearly, kissed Brandon in her arms and then reached out to kiss Serena, who was in my dad’s arms,
I had been driving for so long and was a bit tired. I let Eliza bring down some of the kids’ stuff from the car, then I was ready to rest in the living room.
The delicious smell of food wafted over from the dining room, and my stomach growled.
“Mom, have you prepared some food?” I asked, surprised. It was already midnight.
“Yes, you’ve been driving for so long, and you must not have had much to eat on the road. You guys should go and have something. I’ve made some of your favorite dishes.” My mom said softly, while playing with Brandon.
I was physically and mentally exhausted, but hearing my mom’s words, I felt a wave of warmth that dispelled much of the fatigue. It was like returning to the home where my parents understood and supported me, where they only cared about whether I ate well, slept well, and lived happily, and wouldn’t interfered with my decisions.
Perhaps having such parents was the reason why I developed a stubborn personality.
“Great, I’m starving!” I put aside my emotional thoughts, walked over and hugged my mom, giving her a kiss, “Thanks, Mom!”
My mom smiled and reminded me, “Eat more, you’ve lost weight again. Have you not been eating well because your dad and I aren’t around?”
As I walked towards the dining room, I replied, “Yeah, I even hired a few more nannies. But as soon as they arrived, I had to go back to Rosemont. Now they’re just there taking care of Daisy and cleaning the house.”
“Right, we probably won’t be able to go there for a while either. How long will you stay in Rosemont?” Dad asked next.
The table was set with four dishes and a soup, all my favorites. I invited Eliza to eat with me. While eating, I answered, “I’m not sure, but it should not be too long. You guys will need to hire a nanny to help with Serena and Brandon. Otherwise, you won’t be able to handle it. You still have the company to manage.”
My mom sighed, “Yes, Lucas and the others… oh…”
When it came to this matter, my mom’s mood dropped, and she no longer spoke.
I felt a lump in my throat, and my appetite worsened. I comforted her, “Mom, we can’t bring back the dead. We can only try to live better and manage Lucas’s company well.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s the best plan.” My mom nodded, “Having Serena and Brandon over with me is rather comforting. Their presence brightens my mood.”
“Yes, sure.” I mumbled, focusing on my meal.
That night, I stayed up till the wee hours, chatting with my mom about Neil and Russel current state of affairs. Unlike before, when she would suggest me to give Russel a thought, she didn’t express any opinion. She neither praised nor criticized Neil either.
