Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 561

I paused for a moment, thinking, yeah, at this point, I seem to be acting more like Hiram's mom than Karina ever did.

"Hiram's a good kid," was all I managed to say after a moment of silence.

Neil just scoffed. "Ha," he let out, a cold laugh that sent shivers down my spine. Neil and I, we're different. Finding out Hiram wasn't his own didn't soften him one bit. Me, on the other hand, I'd somehow grown attached to the boy without even realizing it.

Was this some kind of maternal effect? I began to wonder.

"What do you want me to do?" Neil pressed on, his voice cutting through the silence that had settled between us. He knew all about Karina's antics, yet he seemed far from interested in finding a solution. Instead, he was asking me what I wanted him to do, leaving me at a loss for words.

After a long pause, and the call still connected, Neil waiting on the other end for my response, I finally mustered up the courage, asking, "Could you maybe keep an eye out, make sure Karina doesn't get anywhere near Hiram? Do it for me, please?"

"Irene, you're so soft-hearted towards a kid who's not even yours. How come you've never shown me the same kindness?" Neil's voice was tinged with a cold irony.

"That's different. Hiram is innocent; you're not," I retorted sharply. Being soft on Neil would only be cruel to myself.

"I get it. Since you care so much about Hiram, I'll make sure he's looked after. But I have one question for you, and I want you to answer me honestly," Neil finally conceded, but his follow-up question caught me off guard.

I was bracing for him to dive into the mess at home, but that wasn't it.

"Does Russel's hospitalization have anything to do with you?" Neil's question choked me up.

How did he know?

Before I could even question him, he continued, "Don't bother hiding it from me. You know the kind of relationship I have with him now. So, anything that involves him, I'll find out. His admission to the hospital coincides with the night you rushed back to Rosemont. Your departure and arrival times were odd. Were you with him?"

I had to admire Neil's deduction skills; he was spot on.

"Yeah," I admitted, keeping it short and simple.

"What happened, tell me," Neil's voice was calm, as if he was just trying to get a grasp of the night's events, but I sensed an unusual undertone and decided to keep it brief.

"It's nothing much. Ran into some trouble, and Russel helped me out," I brushed off.

Neil knew more than I expected, "Really? Gunshot wounds aren't common. You're saying someone was after your life, and you think it's a minor issue?"

It was far from a minor issue, I knew that.

But I didn't want Neil involved. Russel had warned me. Even if Karina was behind it, there was nothing I could do. She'd cover her tracks well.

As I was pondering how to end the call, Neil's voice grew angry, "Why the silence? Do you not care about your own safety? Are you tired of living?"

Seeing her reach for the phone, I quickly stopped her and reluctantly shared the dangerous events of that night.

Listening, my mom's face turned ashen, a mix of shock and anger in her eyes, "And the police? Have they caught the perpetrator?"

"They have," I didn't lie. The police had informed me that the man who attempted my life that night had been apprehended and had confessed to everything, taking full responsibility and conveniently leaving Karina's name out of it.

Perhaps what Russel meant by not being able to touch Karina was precisely this—the perpetrator wouldn't implicate her.

"How will they deal with it? Such a person deserves the death penalty for attempted murder!" my mom said heatedly, gripping my hand. "Rena, you should stay close to us from now on. Let's not go back to Rosemont. As long as you're safe, your father and I will have peace of mind."

Being an only child, I knew my parents couldn't bear losing me.

My eyes welled up, "Mom, I'm sorry for always causing you and dad to worry."

"A mother's worry travels a thousand miles for her child. Now that you have your own, you understand our feelings. We only wish for your simple happiness. Forget whatever's left in Rosemont and stay here. Let's raise these kids together," she pleaded, her grip firm and her voice a blend of command and entreaty.

Looking at her tired and worn face, how could I say no? Besides, with Dad's current health situation, leaving wasn't an option. Not until his surgery was done. I wasn't going anywhere. I was going to stick by him, no matter what.

"Alright, I promise, Mom." I nodded, then gently wrapped my arms around her. "I'll stay right here with you guys, not going anywhere. As long as Dad follows the doctor's orders and gets better, we can think about moving back to Rosemont later."