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.”

or resist too much, because it would only harm my physical and mental health, and make me leave

appeared from behind. “What would you

around and saw Mitch, dressed like a peacock, propped against the bar and trying to pick up a woman with his deep voice.

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

drunk.” Mitch hadn’t noticed

find me a place to

Man.

night, Stella suddenly

ED

out partying? Didn’t

he

accusing him. When he

you no sex

glass. His face turned livid

a dubious and scornful look. After a glance at Mitch, she scoffed and turned to

help laughing. Stella was hilarious.

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

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

to give me a hard time? I didn’t

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

stopped, seemingly realizing he’d said something wrong. Sure enough, Stella’s face darkened. She grabbed Mitch’s collar, “Are you saying that man was introduced

because you always pick on

ran away in fear. Cooper appeared

were at Rosemont, it meant only Neil and Bonnie had gone to another city. My heart

young and speaks without thinking, don’t

you to a 300–pound widow to be your wife, what would