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, “Really?”

like we’re having

description made me

in silence. A couple of minutes later, my phone rang again. It was my

thinking and Alicia seeing his message in time, my lie was salvaged. My mom only told me to get home soon. I thought that was it, but then she suddenly brought up Russel Dawson, “Rena, did Russel

I quickly looked at Neil,

already changed. There was a clear flash

did that intentionally. Even though Alicia vouched for me,

by my side, or if I didn’t care about him anymore, what she said wouldn’t be a problem.

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

fell into an awkward

like gathering storm clouds that he couldn’t sweep away. He just looked at me, with no

as I explained about Russel

was at your house. Why didn’t you lock your

had never entered my room without my

him again while I was away?” Neil accused me. His voice was filled with jealousy. “Why can’t you cut him off completely?”

My mom invited 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

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

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

right now. I can’t

have to accept sooner or

Neil that I couldn’t say those

and we would leave