Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 61

After dinner, Stella was still raring to go, dragging Barbara, Alicia, and me to a bar. She declared that she’d forever be a bachelorette, with bars and nightclubs as her second home

“Hey, they’re just men, right? Look around, they’re everywhere.” She swirled her drink and casually gestured with her chin to all the men coming and going

in the bar

If I had Stella’s carefree attitude towards men, I wouldn’t have had trouble sleeping and experiencing nightmares last night. I dreamt of my wedding day with Neil, except my face was replaced with Bonnie’s, and Neil was all gentle and tender with “me“. His gaze was enough to drown in

What else could that be if not a nightmare? Just thinking about it made me sick.

“Rena, your dance at the bar last time was super sexy. Are you going to dance again tonight?” Barbara suddenly smiled heartily.

“And didn’t Neil take you home afterward?” Stella chimed in, her eyes sparkling. “Men are so conflicted. They always think the grass is greener, but once they divorce their wives, they realize they had it good.”

Alicia, however, had a different focus. “Wasn’t the girl that day the college student Neil’s been chasing? She seemed so innocent. Isn’t innocence what everyone is after these days? She fits the bill.”

I didn’t know what happened after Neil and I left the bar that night. All I knew was that Bonnie kept ringing and texting Neil.

Stella sneered, “If someone’s character is rotten, nothing else matters. She didn’t set her boundaries with a married man and even drank with him at a bar. She’s nothing but a skank.”

“You shouldn’t say that,” I took a sip of my drink and gave a bitter smile. “Don’t you know what kind of guy Neil is? Bonnie is just a college girl from a normal family. She can’t resist him.”

Stella put her glass down and took my face in her hands as she said with widened eyes. “Rena, how could you defend a home–wrecker? Whether she’s forced or willing, it’s just immoral!”

Alicia added, “Exactly, we should be lenient with ourselves and strict with others.”

didn’t want to fuss or resist too much, because it would only harm my physical and mental health, and make me leave this

we were chatting and drinking, a familiar voice suddenly appeared from behind. “What

dressed like a peacock, propped against the bar and trying

me for a drink.” The woman, an obvious pro

responsible if you get drunk.” Mitch hadn’t

I get drunk… just find me a place to sleep,

Man.

enjoy their night,

ED

already out partying? Didn’t your

he

who was accusing him. When

tell you no sex for three

shout startled Mitch se much he almost dropped his glass.

look. After a glance at Mitch,

couldn’t help laughing. Stella was

at Stella angrily. “Stop spreading rumors, you’re ruining my

you remember how I said I’d always give you a hard time whenever I see you?” Stella stood up, looking formidable despite being shorter than

you want to give me a

to hit me and see. Don’t think I won’t fight back. I can have my

wrong. Sure enough, Stella’s face darkened. She grabbed Mitch’s

because you always pick on me!” Mitch defended himself.

who ran away in fear. Cooper appeared just in time to stand

at Rosemont, it meant only Neil and

and speaks without thinking, don’t mind him.” Cooper tried

a 300–pound widow to be your wife, what would you do?” Stella confronted