Chapter 517
My parents’ transformation brought me immense joy, and with it, a significant reduction in my psychological stress.
By the time I woke up, it was already a sunny afternoon. My mom hadn’t gone to work and there was now a nanny in the house – someone she hired early in the morning to look after the children.
As for Eliza, she had to accompany me back to Rosemont today.
“Rena, remember to consult me no matter what happens, okay? Don’t shoulder everything. on your own.” Mom advised me solemnly before I left.
“Okay, Mom. Please take care of Serena and Brandon for me. I’ll deal with things on my end as quickly as I can and then come back.” I looked at the two kids playing in their crib, feeling reluctant to leave them. But I knew this was for their safety.
My mom’s expression was serious. “I definitely will, don’t worry.”
I went over and gave Serena a kiss, then Brandon, before reluctantly getting into the car to leave.
In the rear-view mirror, I saw my mom holding Brandon at the front door, watching me as her figure gradually shrank in the distance. That was when I noticed that this little old lady had started to stoop a little. She seemed shorter than in her youth. It was said that people shrink as they age – my mom was aging too, but she still had to worry about work and about me.
My nose twitched, and I felt a wave of sadness.
In that moment, all I wanted was to quickly resolve everything so I could live with my parents and the kids, free of worries and enjoying life. Having family and friends was enough for me!
When I returned to Rosemont, it was again late at night.
Stella and the others were already asleep. Hearing me return, Stella sleepily got up and asked, “Rena, have you had dinner yet?”
“I’ve eaten, you go ahead and sleep!” I answered while changing my shoes.
“Alright, I’m beat. I’m going to bed.” Stella could barely keep her eyes open, yet she still had to get up to make sure I’d eaten. I was touched, considering she wasn’t even my mother.
I hadn’t really eaten anything. But I wasn’t very hungry, so I took a shower and went to bed.
Without Serena and Brandon by my side, I had trouble falling asleep. I scrolled through my phone, looking at pictures of the kids with a motherly smile on my face. It wasn’t until the sky began to lighten that I finally drifted off.
“Damn, Neil’s at the door already, Rena. Did he come to see you?” Stella’s voice rang in my ears like a thunderclap.
My sleepiness was instantly shattered, and I woke up.
Neil? He was here?
I remembered telling him I’d look after Hiram’s situation for him when I got back, and that day was today. He must have taken me seriously.
I got up, rubbed my bleary eyes, and couldn’t help but frown.
“Yeah, he probably came to see me. Let me freshen up, and I’ll head out.” I replied.
“Wait, Rena! You absolutely can’t remarry him. Don’t let him move you, okay? Look at Mitch, he didn’t do anything as extreme as Neil. I wouldn’t give him another chance to hurt me, and you should be the same!” Stella grabbed my shoulders with a look of exasperation.
“No, I’m not planning to remarry him. You’re overthinking.” I quickly stopped Stella. I hadn’t had enough sleep, and my head was starting to ache from her shaking.
Stella finally stopped shaking me and asked, “Then why did he come to see you as soon as you got back? Didn’t you tell him to?”
“It’s a bit of a different situation. Let me talk to him first, and I’ll explain it to you later.” After calming Stella down, I hurriedly freshened up and went out to see Neil.
Indeed, Neil was waiting for me at the front door. He had smoked half a cigarette by the time I arrived and promptly crushed and discarded it.
But the smell of smoke still lingered on him, causing me to cough lightly.
“You’re back.” he said, looking wearier than when I’d seen him two days ago. His eyes, however, retained their sharpness that never failed to intimidate.
“Yes. Is Hiram still at Sterling Estates? Did Karina bring you any trouble?” I asked curiously.
“She tried to look for me, but I didn’t see her. I don’t have time for her right now. There’s a lot going on at the company.” Neil answered nonchalantly, then got straight to the point, “Have you thought about what I asked you?”
I hadn’t really given it any thought because I knew that Hiram and I were incompatible.
Plus, I was worried that if Karina found out I was looking after Hiram, she might come to trouble me instead.
The last thing I wanted at the moment was trouble, and if avoiding it was an option, I would always choose to walk away.
“Neil, why don’t you ask Cooper Clarke for help? Or see if any of your other trustworthy friends can lend a hand?” I suggested hesitantly.
“So your answer is that you won’t help me.” Neil cut me off bluntly.
I nodded. That was my answer.
He let out a cold laugh, “You had your answer two days ago, didn’t you? You just wanted to distance yourself, so you said you’d tell me today, right?”
I remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.
“Cooper and Hiram don’t know each other well. If he goes to see Hiram, Hiram will resist.” Neil explained, his voice filled with disappointment and helplessness, “Forget it, I won’t force you. I’m going back to the office.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
Watching Neil get into his car and drive away, I felt a strange discomfort. His current situation was indeed tiring, not physically, or because of the company’s state, but mentally.
I could imagine how hard it would be if I were in his shoes. I really needed someone to
lend me a hand.
I wondered how Faith was doing. I hadn’t contacted her because I didn’t want to trigger any emotional fluctuations. And with Ryan by her side, she should be fine.
But when I returned to Stella’s house, she was in a frenzy, yelling, “Is that true? Why?!”
“Is it true? Is it true that Louis is Neil’s half-brother?”
“It’s over…”
My heart skipped a beat. After Stella hung up the phone, I asked, “What happened?”
Stella’s eyes were wide as saucers, “Did you know that Neil’s mom tried to commit suicide last night?”
“What?!”
I was taken aback, utterly blindsided by the unfolding events. Faith, who suffered from mild depression, had always managed it with medication and positive vibes. I never imagined it would escalate to the point of suicide.
“Rumor has it that Louis is actually an illegitimate son of Neil’s father, and it must have triggered Faith…” Stella sighed heavily, the weight of her words hanging in the air. “What on earth is going on? Are all men like this? It seems like regardless of their age, they just can’t keep it in their pants!”
