Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 396

I couldn’t be sure. The moment the thought took root, though, I couldn’t suppress it.

If Karina simply ignored me during my ordeal, I might have accused her of having an icy heart but if she intentionally tied that rope around my ankle, that’s a different kettle of fish. Wasn’t that akin to attempted murder?

“Neil, could you fetch me some wet wipes from my bag? My hands are all greasy,” Karina requested, shaking her oil-slicked hands in mild exasperation.

Karina had brought a bag, which was placed just a few feet away from me.

Neil responded, “Sure, in a moment.””

I got up first, “I’ll get it for you!”

Seeing me approach her bag, Karina’s expression momentarily flinched in resistance, she quickly stepped forward, “It’s okay, I’ll get it. God knows this bag is already dirty enough.”

She then moved her bag away to a place beyond my sight, only then did she proceed to take out a pack of wet wipes.

This action of hers seemed a bit odd. Was she worried that I would have seen something in her bag? Or was she just being protective of her privacy?

“What’s up?” My distracted demeanor caught Russel’s attention; he asked in a low voice.

“Nothing,” I snapped back to reality, shaking my head.

A while later, Karina and Neil prepared lunch, which was all seafood, complemented by a bottle of wine provided by the hotel. The spread was quite lavish.

Russel and I sat on one side, with Neil and Karina opposite us.

seemed quite pleased with her culinary achievement. She beamed at us, “Ms. Finch, Russel, please try it and tell me

It looks very fresh,” I praised, even before starting my meal.

shouldn’t you be more attentive to your wife? She’s hurt her

chimed in unexpectedly,

but I was right-handed, so my daily activities weren’t much affected,

case, when Neil said

Karina remained relaxed, even offering Neil a smile, “Right, I forgot one can eat with one hand. I just wanted to give Russel an opportunity to show

a bit introverted in front of others, but he’s actually quite attentive and considerate.”

so keen on highlighting my relationship with Russel to Neil, I decided to play along.

pleasantly surprised, and a hint of a smile tugged at his lips.

had an inscrutable expression, mostly keeping his eyes on his plate

face Neil and Karina. Only Karina was enjoying herself, initiating most of

to go to the restroom,”

her departure, it was just Russel, Neil, and me left. My gaze fell on the bag lying on the edge of the table: She was so protective of that bag

lobster, and ‘accidentally’ smeared my hand with sauce, “Where are the wipes? I think Dr. Karina has some in her bag. Russel,

once. After all,

present.

“Yeah, go ahead.”

few glances. That’s when I noticed something odd. There was a piece of rope in the bag, identical in

just dispose of the rope in the ocean instead of keeping part of it in her bag? Wasn’t

which she was so protective of earlier was then left unattended as she went to the restroom. It was as

returned. But I decided against it. Instead, I took the

did was check