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.”

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

and drinking, a familiar voice suddenly appeared

the bar and trying

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

if you get drunk.” Mitch hadn’t

find me a place to

Man.

as they were about to enjoy their night, Stella suddenly shouted, “Mitch! You just got your

ED

out partying?

he

accusing him. When he saw

tell you no sex

glass. His face turned

a dubious and scornful look. After a glance at Mitch,

help laughing. Stella was

Mitch came over and pointed at Stella angrily. “Stop spreading rumors, you’re ruining my

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

me a hard time? I didn’t

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

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

always pick on me!” Mitch defended himself.

hitting Mitch, who ran away in fear. Cooper appeared just in time

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

Stella! Calm down, Mitch is still young and speaks without thinking,

widow to be your wife, what