Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 637

"Dad, I trust Neil on this," I said with utmost sincerity, fully aware that it might ruffle his feathers. But everything Neil did for me lately was not lost on me—it was etched in my heart and mind.

There's a time for everything, and regarding Hiram, Neil hasn't wronged me. Instead, he's stepped back time and again, even swallowing his pride about being a dad without broadcasting it. If Karina hadn't come clean herself, he could've used that situation to possibly win custody.

This felt like déjà vu. Back when I was head over heels for Neil, my folks were against it too. I used almost the same words to convince them, hoping to move Neil. Well, we all know how that turned out.

Now, it feels like I'm back to making the same naïve mistakes. My dad went pale, "Rena, have you forgotten how you and Neil ended things? How he treated you? How can you trust him?!"

My parents had a deep-seated disdain for Neil. They're the epitome of open-mindedness, but on the matter of Neil, they wouldn't budge. They'd occasionally let me be, but the moment they sensed I was slipping back, they'd panic.

"I haven't forgotten. And I'm not saying I want to get back with him. I just need his help to adopt Hiram. My situation makes adoption a bit tricky, and the foster system already has its biases, thanks to people Karina knows," I explained.

But my dad wasn't hearing any of it. He believed this would lead me back to Neil.

Our conversation ended on a sour note. He came to share good news, only to leave in a huff, even calling my mom to vent.

Feeling helpless, I remembered something and approached him from behind. He was still on the phone with my mom, ranting. I tapped his shoulder, startling him. He turned around, annoyed, "I'm talking to your mother. We need to have a serious chat about your decisions!"

"Dad, I need a favor," I said.

"As long as it's not about Neil, I'm all ears," he replied grudgingly.

"It's about Russel," I clarified, shaking my head. At the mention of Russel, my dad paused, surprised. It had been a long while since Russel came up in our conversations. They had accepted the reality that Russel and I were not meant to be, despite the lingering regret.

I briefed my dad on Russel's current predicament.

Russel's relationship with his family seemed strained, likely not having informed them about his surgery, or else they'd be by his side. The fact that no one from the Dawson family was with him in the hospital was telling. So, I wanted my dad to check on him, believing he'd want to personally ensure Russel's well-being given his fondness for him.

With my dad off to Ylandia, I was left to manage the house and kids, ensuring they never left my sight. The fear of someone being compromised by Louis was real. He seemed to believe targeting me, Serena, and Brandon would get to Neil, considering me his true love.

Not even a day later, Louis called, "Didn't you visit Russel?"

"Why should I?" I countered. "You seem keen on me going."

"You really are heartless, aren't you? Russel wasted all his affection on you," Louis taunted, confirming my suspicions that he was plotting something for my trip to Ylandia, where it'd be easier to make a move compared to the familiar grounds of home.

But I didn't go, and just like that, his plans were thwarted.

I said coldly, "Louis, whatever is going on between you and Neil, please keep me out of it."

"How could I possibly do that?" Louis's tone suddenly turned fierce. "I've worked so hard all these years, all to make a comeback to the Whitmores, to prove to that old man that I'm just as good as Neil. And what do I get? He has the audacity to claim I'm not his son, even went as far as to fake a DNA test. Utterly despicable!"