Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 478

“I have no idea what you’re talking about!” I quickly regained my composure, else it would be too easy for my panic to give me away.

Neil casually pocketed my phone and asked me, a smirk playing on his lips, “Oh really? Irene, you’ve gone to great lengths to avoid me even making up a story about marrying Russel. But honestly, I was rather pleased when I found out it was a lie.”

Just a couple of days ago, my mother had been urging me to accept Russel, warning me that eventually Neil would discover our sham marriage. Much to my surprise, he had found out today.

My thoughts were a chaotic mess. I forced myself to calm down. “I haven’t made up anything. I am married to Russel. Even though I don’t have feelings for him, I chose to be with him for the sake of our children. It’s perfectly normal.”

Mentioning the children caused Neil’s face to darken. “Irene, I hope for your sake that you’re telling the truth about the children. If you’ve lied about that too, making some other man the father, you’ll have to face the consequences.”

Facing Neil’s threats, I couldn’t deny a sense of fear. I knew this day would come eventually, but it had arrived far too soon.

Serena and Brandon were so young. I feared the damage a custody battle would cause.

“Neil, I’ve never lied to you. I am married to Russel, even though we haven’t formally registered our marriage yet. We’ve had a simple ceremony among friends and family, and that’s enough. As for the children, you’ve seen the paternity test results. There’s no need to embarrass yourself, is there?”

I forced myself to meet Neil’s gaze, trying hard to appear unfazed.

Neil’s eyes were sharp, as if they could dissect a person’s soul. It took great courage to hold his gaze. He was experienced enough to catch someone in a lie.

“As long as you haven’t registered your marriage with Russel, you’re not married,” Neil finally spoke again, steering the conversation back to the matter of me going home. “I’ll take you home. Just follow me.”

but my mind was in turmoil. I didn’t

us. The driver looked somewhat surprised to

joined me. After he gave the driver an address,

had clearly had a bit too much to drink that night;

silence, his voice hoarse and languid, adding a seductive quality

it made some difference.” I tried to deflect with a casual topic.

closing his eyes again to

what to do next. Knowing that Neil was aware of my unregistered marriage with Russel,

the car screeched to a halt. I was thrown forward, but Neil’s strong hand around my waist held me back, pulling

nostrils, and I realized I was

suddenly came out of nowhere. I didn’t see it…”

hand remained on my waist, steady

fine, keep driving,” he said, his chest

back properly. The

Neil sounded unexpectedly pleased.

I

reply brief and to the point.

close to my house, I asked the driver to stop. If my mother saw me with Neil, I’d have to endure another storm of criticism. I was tired of it

got out of the car, he

away, disappearing into the night, just as I closed the