Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 469

“Good to see you,” Mitch greeted me warmly.

This time, Hiram seemed a lot more comfortable with me, even cheerfully calling me “Ms. Finch”!

But little did he know, the consequences of my visit would lead him into facing Karina’s scolding.

With a smile, I asked Hiram, “Where are your parents?”

“They’re inside, and so are my grandparents!” Hiram enthusiastically led me in. It was his birthday, and the house was beautifully decorated.

The staff was bustling around, Neil was on a call in the living room, and Ryan was fussing with a model toy, likely a gift for Hiram. Upon seeing me, a grin flashed across Ryan’s face, “Irene’s here!”

He then picked up Serena from her stroller, “And Princess Serena too. She’s getting prettier every day!”

Ryan was visibly more relaxed with Serena this time, his affection for her clear in his words.

Instead of bringing Brandon, I chose to bring Serena because Brandon’s resemblance to Neil was growing more pronounced, and I didn’t want to stir up any unnecessary associations for Ryan and Faith.

“Ah, Irene’s here?” Faith descended from the second floor, looking as healthy as ever, save for her slightly red, swollen eyes that showed signs of recent crying.

“Hello,” I greeted politely, my eyes scanning the room for Karina. On such an important day, where could she be?

Neil noticed my tense gaze and calmly explained, “Karina had to attend to something at the hospital, and she’ll be back shortly.” I was least interested in seeing Karina. If it weren’t for Faith’s situation, I wouldn’t be here at all.

since I was here, I couldn’t come empty-handed. I retrieved a video game console from under Serena’s stroller and

of the console. He nodded enthusiastically, looking at me with newfound warmth, “I love it, thank

puzzled glances, but soon broke into pleased smiles. They were more than happy to see Hiram

to a seat on the couch. A servant brought me coffee, and there were

Whitmore family, so a grand celebration was to be expected.

still nestled in Ryan’s arms. She seemed to enjoy the company of the Whitmore family, being well-behaved whether held by Neil

adorable. She’s going to be a beauty when she grows up, just like Irene!”

in. Without Karina around, their praises for me were explicit and

anything, merely focusing on

as if we were still one big family,

string of guests arrived, all important business partners of the Whitmore family. Some even

they placed on the Whitmore family’s invitation.

guests. Ryan handed Serena to Faith, and both father and

oblivious to the buzzing activity around

Karina arrived, the last to do

Mommy was held up by an emergency surgery at the hospital,” Karina apologized sincerely as she embraced Hiram. But when she noticed the game console in Hiram’s hand, her expression subtly changed, “Hiram, where did

put down the console and fell silent, looking at me.

to allow Hiram to play video games, albeit with time restrictions. Why was she acting as

a little on his special day?” Faith intervened. The moment Karina appeared, her smile faded

just that Hiram’s been falling behind in his studies, and prolonged gaming can overstimulate a child’s brain. It’s not good for him either way,” Karina explained as she took the game console from Hiram and casually placed it on the