Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 635

I had pondered over it because as a mother of two, I didn't really have a solid reason for adoption.

Frankly, Neil was far more suitable than me in every aspect.

"Alright, if you're willing to help me with the adoption, that'd be great. All you need to do is hold the title of adoptive parent for me, I'll handle everything else," I said, though I was internally worried Neil might refuse. After all, I had asked him for favors one too many times, and it almost seemed like it had become his burden.

If he had refused, I would have understood. After dealing with Karina's mess, I could look into other ways to adopt Hiram on my own.

But Neil, it seemed, had become a completely different person. No matter what I asked of him, he agreed without any hesitations or conditions.

"Neil, don't you find this bothersome? You're doing everything on my behalf, and I can’t contribute at all," I ventured, seeking his true feelings.

His chuckle came through the phone, deep and reassuring, "Not at all."

"Why? You know all my secrets, and that I can’t turn back. Is it because of Serena and Brandon?" I was genuinely surprised and a bit fixated on finding an answer.

Neil paused before he dismissed my guess, "No, it's not about them. Even if they weren't your kids, I'd still do whatever you needed. I had already made up my mind before I knew your secret, and knowing it only solidified my decision."

He was sincere, and I had to admit, my heart wavered a bit at that moment. Considering how disdainful and repulsed he used to be towards me, his current tolerance and indulgence felt incredibly precious.

I had been reborn, but it wasn't into a different soul. The love I had for Neil, built up over a decade, still lingered in my heart. I tried not to dwell on it, but whenever certain memories surfaced, I couldn't help but feel touched.

Realizing my thoughts were straying, I quickly ended the conversation, "Okay, I'll consider this your way of making amends to me. I've got to go."

I hung up before Neil could respond, not waiting for his reply.

He would be returning from abroad soon, and the thought of meeting him filled me with uncertainty. My feelings towards him had evolved significantly from the resentment and vengefulness of the past. As time passed and more events unfolded, the resolve I had in my second life to live solely for myself seemed to be quietly changing.

How many people can truly stay true to their original intentions? Even being reborn doesn't make one immune to the inherent fickleness and vulnerability of human nature.

Watching Serena and Brandon, I realized how much Neil and my feelings for him had changed through the chaos, reluctance, rebirth, acceptance, resentment, avoidance, and now a kind of peaceful, yet somewhat distant, friendship.

It was all quite complicated. Shaking my head to clear these thoughts, I was interrupted by a call from the lawyer. Frank had spilled everything and provided plenty of evidence, so all that was left was to apprehend Karina.

The problem was she was already abroad, and her lawyer had used a legal loophole to get her back to her country of citizenship first, effectively dodging the legal issues back home.

I really wasn't in the mood for his games, knowing anything he had to say was likely to have an ulterior motive. Sensing my impatience and possibly fearing I'd hang up, he quickly added, "It's about Russel. Don't you want to know why he's been abroad lately? Whether he's with Karina or not?"

Hearing Russel's name caught me off guard, as I truly didn't know his current situation, which felt strange considering our past.

But then again, I knew Russel well. He wouldn't give up so easily; otherwise, he wouldn't have fought so hard against Neil in my previous life.

"What happened to him?" I couldn't help but ask.

"He's in this mess because of you. Didn't you know?" Louis's tone took on a mocking edge, "Impressive, getting both Neil and Russel willing to walk through fire for you."

The more he spoke, the more irritated I became, "Just get to the point, or don't waste my time."

Seeing my firm stance, Louis finally stopped beating around the bush and began to explain the reason behind Russel's trip abroad.

"He didn't end up with Karina. Instead, he's been by himself in Phenovia, going through surgery. He injured his shoulder trying to save you, and the aftermath has been pretty severe."

"His showdown with Neil? Well, it left the company reeling. He's handed it back over to his dad and brother now. He's thinking about going back to being a doctor, but with a disability? That's not going to fly. If this surgery doesn't pan out, his dream of practicing medicine might as well be over. Irene, you're the one to blame for this mess." Louis said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he let out a scornful laugh.