Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

“Whether you appreciate her or not is your own business, but I see her as unfit for the task. You should find someone else to follow up.” Neil rejected without hesitation once again.

Mitch fell silent on the other end, and after a moment, he said, “Alright, I understand.”

Then he hung up.

With that, the tension in my chest eased, yet at the same time, I was intrigued.

Neil didn’t tell Mitch that I was holding Yara in the car at the moment.

But I didn’t ask. I just held the child tighter in my arms, lost in thoughts about what to do next. Should I involve Stella in this and let her make the decision?

“We’re here.” Neil didn’t step out of the car when we reached my house, just reminded me.

“Thanks for today.” I got out of the car, still cradling Yara.

Through the car window, Neil’s gaze remained on the child in my arms, which made me anxious. He didn’t say anything earlier, but he might spill the beans to Mitch as soon as I leave.

With this uneasy feeling. I returned home, while Neil drove off.

Norah came to check on Yara. After I told her about the dosage, I went to check on Serena and Brandon. The two were playing, their innocent gestures and babbling melting my heart.

Every time I saw these two, all my worries disappeared. With them by my side, there was always hope.

I wanted to tell Stella that Neil knew Yara was with me, but I was worried that it might affect her situation.

After two days of anxiety, Mitch didn’t show up, and my worries gradually faded, the matter momentarily forgotten.

late afternoon, after dinner,

Yara out. Instead, we stayed home most of the time, while Norah would take Serena and Brandon out for

a set of clothes, preparing

Yara into the bathtub, the doorbell rang. Could Norah have forgotten something?

and my heart nearly stopped when I saw

here again? Wasn’t he supposed to return to

I decided to ignore

Mitch said, “Irene, open the door! If you don’t, I’ll kick it down! Or you can wait for the cops.

mind went blank. From his tone, it seemed he was certain that Yara was with me. How did

“Bang!”

me. Someone had

it too, her faint cries coming

related to her, and left through the back door towards Russel’s backyard. There was a small door there, and I knew

Russel was home, but I had to keep Yara safe first.

couldn’t open the one leading into the house. As I was fumbling with the

bathed, his hair still glistening with moisture, was dressed in his usual casual attire,

raised an eyebrow, first at me, then at the baby

Can you look after Yara for a bit?” I didn’t have time to explain and

me. He was quite skilled at holding a baby, probably from

returned to my

saw Mitch storming in. It seemed my gate had been

mind?” I questioned

you hide

seemed laid-back and afraid of women, with such a fearsome