Chapter 82
Chapter 82 I was taken aback, “I can get up and get water myself.” His tone was calm just a moment ago, but then it turned stern, “You should be resting since you’re injured. Why are you pushing yourself?” Was getting a cup of water considered pushing myself? I took the cup silently, my mind wandering elsewhere. Neil wasn’t as cold and heartless as he seemed. His tenderness and care were reserved only for the woman he loved. Bonnie was so lucky, she could enjoy Neil’s care every day. “How’s Norman?” I asked after finishing the water. “He’s locked up at the police station. He’ll be sentenced after the procedure, probably to life,” Neil replied nonchalantly. Then he changed the subject, “And that Garnett guy. He confessed to his plan to kidnap you.” “Okay,” I nodded, “Good.” Neil scoffed, “How’s that good?” I was taken aback. Isn’t it good that the criminal is getting what he deserves? Neil was such a mystery. He continued, “Do you think it’s better to give your number to a stranger you met in a bar, or to go to the movies and have BBQ with him?” I was speechless. If it wasn’t for my intention to get back at him, I wouldn’t have ended up being used by Garnett. Neil asked again, “Why aren’t you saying anything?” After a moment of silence, I retorted, “Neil, are you jealous?” I could feel a strong wave of jealousy, but I didn’t understand why. He had no feelings for me. We had agreed to live our own lives as long as I didn’t mess with his friends. My question seemed to embarrass Neil. He stood up abruptly and said coldly, “You’re overthinking. I’m just embarrassed, so I’ll keep the media quiet about this. Otherwise, everyone would know you were kidnapped while out with another man.”
This was Neil’s real thought. His status was so high, yet his wife was going behind his back with another man. If this news got out, where would his dignity be?
“I see,” I was used to his cold words. After this incident, I decided to thank Neil for saving me, “Please give me the divorce papers as soon as possible. I don’t want a penny, consider it as payment for saving me. I value my life.” For someone who had once faced death, life was the most precious. “By the way, do you have the negatives of my father’s photos? Bring those to me too,” I added. Neil seemed furious for some reason. He pulled out a strip of negatives from his coat pocket and slammed it on my blanket. He left without a word, leaving me puzzled. What did that mean? He gave me the negatives, but what about the divorce papers? I quickly picked up the negatives and counted. None were missing. I guessed the divorce papers might need to be revised, so he didn’t give them to me yet. Didn’t I just say I didn’t want any money? Neil might need to go back and update that part. After getting the negatives, I felt a sense of relief I’d never felt before. My father’s crisis was resolved, and I could divorce Neil. From then on, I would no longer be the pitiful Mrs. Whitmore, but the free Ms. Finch. After learning that the photo issue was resolved, my father wanted to meet with me. I rejected him immediately. I didn’t want him to know about my kidnapping and injury, so I made an excuse and just chatted with him over the phone. He said excitedly, “Rena, I’ve finally proven my innocence. Otherwise, I’d be devastated!” “Dad, you should only hire male secretaries from now on, don’t get tricked again. After all, your reputation has been built over ten years. It’s not worth it to have it destroyed in an instant,” I reminded him while eating the pomelo Stella had peeled for me. “I’ll definitely learn my lesson, but Rena, you need to bring Neil home for dinner. I want to thank him,” my father said.
“Thank him?” I was surprised. Shouldn’t he be thanking me? I was the one who sacrificed my marriage for the negatives, even though my father didn’t know this. My father sighed, Ah, I had too many prejudices against him before. I always felt that he didn’t care about you and didn’t take me and your mother seriously. Now realize, he’s actually a good man.” I was confused, “Dad, what are you talking about?” My father then told me that Geneva was from Springvale, and my in-laws had a lot of connections there, so my father asked Ryan for help. Ryan then handed the matter over to Neil. Neil went to Springvale a few days ago and resolved the issue. I was completely in the dark. I even thought that Neil was involved in this to force me to leave penniless. The pomelo in my hand fell. I felt like I was on a roller coaster, my mind was blank. Stella asked softly, “What’s wrong?” “Anyway, remember to bring Neil home for dinner soon. I must thank him in person,” my father said before hanging up the phone. It took me a while to recover. Stella thought I was having a brain sequela and wanted to call the nurse. I stopped her, “Stella, I think I misunderstood Neil. What should I do?” When I told Stella what happened, she fell silent too. She was probably as taken aback as I was. Where are the negatives?” Stella asked after a while. 1/2 11:08 Chapter 82 I pulled out the negatives from under the pillow, “Here…” We looked at each other for a while, then fell into silence again. If it wasn’t for Russel coming in for rounds, we might have continued in silence. When I saw him enter, I quickly hid the negatives.
“How are you feeling today? Is the dizziness better?” Russel asked some routine questions as usual. I answered him briefly, but I kept thinking back to the night when Neil threw the negatives on me and walked away. Stella didn’t know how to react either. She had witnessed my humbleness in front of Neil for ten years. She always thought Neil treated me like an enemy. She stood up and said to me, “I’m going to go think.” After she left, I was alone in the room, holding the negatives and sinking into deep thought. I felt like I was in a dream. Could it be that I misunderstood Neil? Could it be that he wasn’t as cold and heartless as I thought? These thoughts were swirling in my mind, and I didn’t know what to do. Stella was also confused. She had witnessed my humbleness in front of Neil for ten years. She always thought that Neil was treating me like an enemy. She stood up and said to me, “I’m going to think about it.” I was left alone in the room, holding the negatives, immersed in my thoughts. I felt like I was in a dream. Could it be that I misunderstood Neil? Could it be that he wasn’t as cold and heartless as I thought? These thoughts were swirling in my mind, and I didn’t know what to do. Was it possible that everything I thought about Neil was wrong? That he wasn’t as cruel and indifferent as I thought? My mind was a mess. I took a deep breath and tried to sort out my thoughts. Neil had helped me, and he did it for my sake, not for any benefit. This was a fact that I couldn’t deny. But what about everything else? What about all the humiliation and indifference I had experienced? I felt like I was stuck in a maze, unable to find the exit. The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. Maybe I needed some time to figure it out. Maybe I needed to talk to Neil. Or maybe I just needed some space to clear my head. In the end, I decided to keep the negatives and wait. Wait for the right time, wait for Neil, wait for the truth. Perhaps, in the end, everything would be clear, “Think about what?” Russel asked, his hands
shoved nonchalantly into the pockets of his white coat, a pair of handsome eyes visible above the face mask. His voice was slightly mu ffled due to the mask, but it was still utterly captivating. “Think about… what to eat later,” Stella blurted out randomly before she hightailed it out of there. “You’re getting a divorce?” Russel always had a knack for delivering the most shocking news in the most casual way. I froze, staring at him, “How did you know? Did Neil tell you?” He shrugged, “Yeah, he spilled the beans. It was the night you had your accident. Bonnie was there too.” Just a moment ago, I was feeling guilty for misunderstanding Neil. But Russel’s words quickly wiped out that guilt. Neil apparently wanted the divorce too, or why else would he tell his friends? He was a man of his word. If he said he was going to divorce, then he definitely would. I bowed my head, “Yes, we’re getting a divorce. I decided not to take any of his property in the divorce as a thank you for him saving me.” Russel, with a hint of amusement in his voice, said, “Congrats.” “Congrats on my divorce?” I glared at him, “Maybe you should save your congratulations for when I remarry.”
