Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 348

Just as I nodded in agreement, my phone rang. The sudden noise in the quiet living room sent my heartbeat racing. Seeing the caller ID, I felt a headache coming on.

Sure enough, it was my mom.

I didn’t want to answer it, but I was worried that ignoring it would make her suspicious. So I gave Neil a look and picked up the call,

“Rena, where are you? Why haven’t you come home yet?” My mom’s stern voice put me under a lot of pressure.

“I’m on my way home. I was out shopping with Alicia Rider.” I quickly made up an excuse, my insides churning with anxiety.

“You’re with Alicia? Really?” My mom asked doubtfully, “Then where is she? Let her talk to me.”

Well, that was a pickle. I glanced nervously at Neil, who was quietly watching me with a serious expression.

“She just left. I’ll have her call you later, okay? I’m about to head home too.” I had no choice but to keep up the lie.

My mom wasn’t easily fooled. “No need. I’ll call Alicia directly. I have her number!”

She hung up before I could coordinate with Alicia. Cold sweat trickled down my back, and I felt extremely uneasy.

Neil’s gaze was piercing, as if seeing right through me. He suddenly said, “I’ve already texted Alicia. It should be fine.”

taken aback,

and said, “Feels like

made me cringe.

in silence. A couple of minutes later, my phone

me to get home soon. I thought that was it, but then she suddenly brought up Russel Dawson, “Rena, did Russel say anything to you? After he brought you food, did

voice, previously calm, suddenly spiked. I quickly looked at Neil, worried he

expression had already changed. There was a clear

mom did that intentionally. Even

she said wouldn’t be a problem. But if Neil heard,

between Russel and me. Stop doing this.” I was speechless at my mom’s behavior; her illness

fell into an awkward silence, not

with no trace of a smile on his face. After a while, he asked, “Why was Russel in your

about Russel coming

thought my explanation would make him understand. But surprisingly, he got even angrier, “You knew he was at your house. Why didn’t you lock your door? Did you

confused me. I never had such intentions. And Russel had never entered my room without my permission before. I thought

accused me. His voice was filled

him. After waking up, her personality seems to have changed. She doesn’t approve of us being together. In her mind, she wants me to be with Russel, so she deliberately arranged for us to be together. You get it?” I was getting

give Russel any hints? I’m pretty sure I didn’t.

on full display as he scoffed, “Is that so? Then why didn’t you handle things more decisively? When he showed up at your house, you should’ve told him to leave. Or you could’ve told your mom that we’re not just seeing each other but planning to

with the shock right now. I can’t do that.” I replied.

something your mom will have to accept sooner

I couldn’t say those things, and I

him, and