Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 86
“Sorry, I thought you were falling in love with me, hence your reluctance to divorce me. Guess I got it all wrong” I said, chuckling without any sign of
embarrassment
Ned was poker-faced, sitting across from me and lighting up a cigarette.
i fake-coughed and he promptly got up to smoke outside.
In this regard, Nell did have some manners.
After a while, I saw Neil take a call and then hurriedly leave.
Right then, my phone rang It was Stella
“Rena, let’s have dinner together!” She said excitedly. “There’s someone here you won’t believe”
“Who?” I asked
I ain’t telling. Hurry up and get here! I’ve already sent you the address. If you don’t come, I’m coming to get you!” Stella said, hanging up before I could respond.
I checked the time. It was indeed dinner time. I told the maid I wouldn’t be home for dinner and headed out.
Upon arrival, I opened the door to the private dining room and found Alicia and Barbara there as well. Seated right across the door was a handsome man in his thirties with thick eyebrows and bright eyes.
He was Stella’s brother, Simmons Wallace.

Seeing me, Simmons seemed surprised, his gaze softened, “Rena, long time no see.”
“Simmons, when did you get back?” I asked, suppressing the awkwardness in my heart and sitting down next to Stella with a smile.
“I just got back this afternoon. Stella wanted to celebrate my return so we came out for dinner.” Simmons said. His voice was calm, a stark contrast to Stella’s high pitch,
Stella’s sister, Iva Wallace, was also there. She jokingly said, “Stella’s treating, but you’re paying the bill.”
Simmons grinned, “No problem.”
Alicia and I were both the only child in the family. Barbara had a brother. But Stella was the lucky one with a brother and a sister who cherished her dearly. Stella was beaming, “My brother is so generous! He doesn’t care about the cost of this meal.”
I pretended to check my phone while actually texting Stella: You did this on purpose, didn’t you?
Stella replied: He’s single and he’s always had a feeling for you. I told him you might be getting a divorce and he immediately decided to come back. Are you touched?
I texted back: But I’m not divorced yet! And even if I do, I’m still a woman who’s been married before. How could you do this to your brother?
Stella texted back: What’s there to be afraid of? So what if it’s a second marriage? My brother’s 33 and still single. What right does he have to be picky about you?
Before I could text back, Simmons asked me, “Rena, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight, haven’t you?”
After ten years of unrequited love and five years of loneliness, who wouldn’t?
“Probably it is because I’ve been eating less. I’m trying to gain some weight,” I replied, “I’m also planning to hit the gym.”
That’s great! I’ve been working out for the past few years. If you need, I can be your personal trainer.” Simmons joked, “You’re my friend, so I can give you a discount.”
Upon hearing this, Stella started winking at me in delight.
I simply nodded, “Okay.”
The meal was rather awkward for me. Simmons would glance over at me every now and then. His gaze was as brave as it used to be.
Before I married Neil, Simmons was my most passionate suitor. He got to know me through Stella. Even though he knew I was infatuated with Neil, he never gave up and pursued me with all his might.
But love can’t be forced. Just like Neil rejected me, and I rejected Simmons.
Back then, the guys who pursued me would back off once they knew I liked Neil. But Simmons was like a stubborn bull who refused to give up. When I graduated from university and got married to Neil, he sent me a wedding gift via Stella and then left to work at a foreign branch.
I felt really awkward. I repeatedly rejected Simmons because of Neil. Now that I was seeing him again, Neil and I were on the brink of divorce. After we finished eating, Simmons went to pay the bill. Stella took the opportunity to persuade me, “Rena, you should give him a chance. Since you’re planning to divorce, why not try being with someone who truly loves you?”
“The problem is I don’t have….feelings for him!” I said helplessly to Stella.
“That’s okay. He’s waited five years, what’s another year or so?” Stella said confidently.
Not far away, Iva was also smiling at me. She knew about my past with Simmons.
I quickly averted my gaze. Just then, Alicia and Barbara chimed in, “Yeah, Rena, I think Stella’s brother is a great guy, and he’s handsome to boot!”