Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 403

When I got home, my mom had already prepared dinner, and my dad was tinkering with the plants in the yard. Seeing Russel and me return, he waved, “Russel, can you check out this tree for me?”

Russel immédiately stepped forward to investigate with my dad. He was a doctor, but not a botanist of any sort, and my dad loved to ask questions that were way out of his field of knowledge.

Fortunately, Russel was very patient with those inquiries. No matter what my dad asked, he seriously studied it alongside him.

My parents were increasingly pleased with Russel. Their only concern was that I wasn’t going to be able to have children anymore. If I did end up with Russel, that would have meant sacrificing his chance of having a family.

“All right, enough with the tree! Come in and eat!” my mom called out after she finished cooking.

My dad and Russel washed their hands and joined us at the table.

During dinner, I mentioned running into Ryan and Faith today, and my parents’ faces immediately changed. They were deeply worried about the situation.

Their concerns were similar to Russel’s. The better Ryan and Faith were to me, the more inappropriate it was.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry too much. Neil has done many wrong things, but his parents have been really good to me. I can’t completely ignore them, but I won’t initiate

contact.”

“How long are they planning to stay here?” my dad asked.

“I’m not sure. Maybe they’ll leave once Neil and Mitch finish the project they’re working on,” I responded. I hadn’t asked Ryan and Faith about their plans.

My mom sighed and said, “Rena, don’t let them drag you back into Neil’s life, okay?”

I nodded.

I didn’t get any calls from Faith after that day. I was genuinely worried that she would have come to find me.

J

went back to work, leaving me, my parents, and the

clothes; help me take care of Brandon,” I said, preparing to take Serena out for a bit to buy some clothes. The weather was growing hot, and the kids needed

home and

stroll around the

have this onesie in a boys’ version?” I asked the saleswoman, pointing

one moment, please,” she

voice that made my heart sink.

was Hiram’s

with Hiram. Faith was holding Hiram’s hand, and they both had loving smiles on their faces. They hadn’t noticed me yet and were

Grandma and Grandpa are the best!” Hiram clapped his hands happily.

for all those years. Since it was finally happening, they were certainly considering Karina more seriously and wouldn’t have

me to wrap it up?” the saleswoman handed me

of Ryan and Faith, and they seemed surprised to see me there.

approached me, “Irene, you’re shopping here,

need, so

brought Hiram here to get some clothes. His mom is always busy with work, and his dad is the same. They don’t really have time for him. Since it’s getting hot, I thought I’d bring him to get some new clothes,” Faith explained. Her words were

seemed to behave better around his grandparents. He stood obediently next to Faith. His round eyes shifted between me and

Norah.

cry, seemingly

prepared a bottle of formula for her. Ryan