Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 418

“Are you telling me…” began, my forehead crinkling with worry, “that you’re certain he’s seeing someone else?”

Stella paused, inhaling deeply before she spoke, “Not exactly certain. Just…there’s this woman. I saw their chats on Mitch’s phone.”

It felt like a punch to the gut. The last person I would have expected to stray was Mitch. He’d always claimed he was done playing the field, that no woman could lure him away.

I’d always thought Stella had found the perfect partner in him.

But now, it seemed like every marriage had its own set of troubles, and none were as perfect as they seemed on the outside.

Stella relayed the contents of the chats between Mitch and the other woman. They seemed harmless, with no obvious flirtation. But something about them felt off.

And what really got me was that the woman in question was older than Stella, divorced, with two kids.

What kind of mess was that?

“She’s on Mitch’s project team?” I asked, my brows knitting together in confusion, “Have you met her?”

“No, but she’s likely to show up soon,” Stella replied, shaking her head.

I felt like I was going to explode.

Was Mitch really going to throw everything away?

Good thing I was here today. I was curious to see what kind of woman could have possibly stolen Mitch’s attention.

Just then, Serena started crying from her stroller. It sounded like she was hungry, so l’hurried off to prepare a bottle of formula.

Inside, Mitch sat in silence while Neil smoked by the doorway. I wondered if they had had a chance to talk.

Neil wasn’t the type to approve of Mitch’s actions, was he?

offered as I stepped out of the room.

the water?”

to the kitchen. Usually a cheerful guy, he seemed unusually solemn at that time. He turned to me, “How is she?

voice, a hint of

still cared for Stella.

can be bossy, I know that much as her friend. But right now, her whole world revolves around you and the kids.

He sighed, “Look, I didn’t mean to. She just got on my nerves. I invited my colleagues over for a work-related discussion and chose to do

coming too?” I asked bluntly.

his face before he regained his composure. “Yes. Stella just misunderstood our relationship.” “I don’t think it’s a misunderstanding. I can’t make sense of it either.”

followed me, insisting, “It’s really just a professional

retorted, “If you really saw her as just a colleague, why

Mitch

I countered, “It was a team gathering, wasn’t it? Neil was there, too, right? Why didn’t you ask him to take her home? You’re a married man, after all.”

at

observing the exchange, looked taken

do with me?”

with Neil, but this was about

guys friends? Don’t you care about your friend’s happiness?” I pressed on.

would

glancing at Mitch, whose face was a kaleidoscope of emotions,

Stella was so upset. If I were in her shoes, I would

it. I don’t want to talk about it.” Neil gave up, reaching for another

“Either go outside or don’t smoke. There are kids in the house.”

cigarette back, choosing to sit down on the couch

his stroller. He’d choked on his milk, his face turning

patting his

back while

some of it landing

his mouth.”