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.”

I didn’t have the mental energy to resist, so I followed

outside, the driver ready for us. The driver looked somewhat surprised to see

After he gave the

clearly had a bit too much to drink that night; he leaned back, eyes closed, my

his voice hoarse and languid,

hope it made some difference.” I

his eyes again to

that Neil was aware of my unregistered marriage with Russel, I was certain he’d bother me again. His words had made

halt. I was thrown forward, but Neil’s strong hand around my waist held me back, pulling me against his

and tobacco filled my nostrils, and I realized I was in Neil’s

came out of nowhere. I didn’t see

remained on my waist, steady and unyielding.

fine, keep driving,” he said, his chest vibrating with

his grip and sat back properly. The close physical contact stirred feelings of familiarity and strangeness within me.

Neil

wasn’t seated properly,” I replied, trying to keep

Neil responded, his reply brief and

I asked the driver to stop. If my mother saw me with Neil,

I got out of the car, he didn’t leave immediately but watched me until I reached my doorstep.

into the night, just as I closed the door.