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 gave it to Hiram. “Happy birthday,

He nodded enthusiastically, looking at

exchanged puzzled glances, but soon broke into pleased smiles.

the couch. A servant brought me coffee, and there were candies and fruit on the table, all from expensive brands,

this was Hiram’s first birthday since rejoining the Whitmore family, so a grand celebration was to be

arms. She seemed to enjoy the company of the Whitmore family, being well-behaved whether held by Neil or Ryan and Faith, and even entertained everyone with

are always more behaved. Look at her big eyes and cherry lips; she’s adorable. She’s going to be a

and more like Irene,” Ryan chimed in. Without Karina around, their praises for me were

anything, merely

was harmonious, as if we were still one big

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

indicating the importance they placed on the Whitmore

stood up to greet the guests. Ryan handed Serena to Faith, and both father and

was engrossed in his game, oblivious

arrived, the last to do so, with traces of sweat on

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 you get this game

down the console

Hiram to play video games, albeit with time restrictions. Why was she acting as if he wasn’t allowed to play at all now?

to him for his birthday. What’s wrong with Hiram playing a little on his

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