Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 447

“I’m off to cook, Russel finally said, his gaze dropping as he headed towards the kitchen.

A pang of sympathy hit me, coupled with a sense of guilt.

Neil, however, seemed oblivious to the emotional undercurrents between Russel and myself. He was absorbed in studying Serena’s face, his eyes filled with a profound sadness.

He looked up at me, his eyes mirroring his sorrow. “Do you think our daughter would have looked like her if she hadn’t passed away?”

I had never told Neil the gender of our first child, yet his question caught me off guard.

A sharp pain pierced my heart at the mention of our lost child.

“How did you know it was a girl?” I asked, my voice laced with bitterness.

“I looked into your medical records before,” Neil said, his gaze unwavering.

“I need a favor.”

“Which is?” I asked, surprised at his confession.

For a moment, Neil hesitated, his usually decisive demeanor faltering. The gravity of the situation was evident.

I couldn’t fathom what I could possibly do for him, apart from a DNA test with Serena, which I had no intention of agreeing to.

“Although I checked your medical records, the only copy of the ultrasound for our baby is with you. Do you still have it?” Neil finally asked, catching me off guard. I froze.

The ultrasound image was the only picture I had of our child. I had kept it safe, never losing it.

This was uncharacteristic of him; a man of his stature, even in his love for his child,

and our first child was gone before it was even born. There was nothing left

it was being suffocated and my eyes began

didn’t want to rehash the painful memories. Shared pain

gave him a small smile. “I don’t have it anymore. I threw it away because it was too painful to keep.” Neil’s face fell at my words, his lips curving

seemed to fill the air, painting a picture of warmth and love. In a sudden impulse,

Neil replied instantly, his eyes shining

picture of it

nodded and fetched my phone, flipping through my mobile album. I had taken a picture of the ultrasound image during the scan. Although it

Neil, or more accurately, resembled Brandon now, especially the nose

the pain in my heart. I quickly sent the

out his phone to check the picture. While I took Serena from him, she was

the picture, his eyes filled with longing and sorrow. I had never seen him

loved me back then. If he didn’t, then why

that a man who doesn’t love a woman wouldn’t love their child

filled my mind like overgrown weeds, refusing to be tamed.

looked up at me. His eyes were

ask you one last time,” he said, his voice

breath away. I knew Neil had his doubts, but he didn’t want to resort to a DNA test. If the results weren’t what he hoped for, he’d become the laughing stock. His pride wouldn’t allow him to

evening chorus, breaking the

± 3 Z Z Z Z

our eyes filled

I finally spoke. My voice was not my own, yet it was firm and resolute. “Serena and Brandon are mine and Russel’s children. Neil, I’m sorry, but my heart changed back

Neil’s