Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 656

"Cough, cough, Neil, give it a break, will you?" Kitty coughed from the side, seemingly reminding Neil in her own way.

At Kitty's intervention, Neil actually softened his expression and his tone lost its sharpness. "Stay out of my sight. You've done enough damage as it is, and that's repayment enough."

He blamed me for his downfall, and truth be told, he wasn't entirely wrong.

Had I not been given a second chance at life, he would've continued living well, just like he did in my previous life.

Before, Chelsea had confided in me that Neil's avoidance stemmed from his inability to accept his new reality. Yet, the words he spoke now painted a different picture.

I consoled myself, thinking this must be Neil's way of pushing me away. How else could I explain his harsh dismissal?

"Neil, I didn't come here to argue. I was hoping we could try to get along," I said, laying my cards on the table, hoping Neil would refrain from lashing out further.

Kitty looked at me, surprised, before her gaze shifted to Neil, filled with unease as we both awaited his response.

Neil remained unyielding, his voice calm, "No need."

He didn't bother with any additional words, simply rejecting me with those four words.

"Neil, maybe give it some thought?" Kitty chimed in, seemingly on my behalf, yet her voice betrayed her nerves. After all, she had pursued Neil before, back when his heart was set on me. Now, after a year without any interaction between Neil and me, and with her by his side, she feared losing him again if he wavered.

"There's nothing to ponder. I have you, don't I?" Neil said, offering Kitty a gentle smile, clearly aiming to provoke me.

Kitty blushed at his words.

Without another word, she rose, effortlessly fetching a damp towel to dab at the sweat on Neil's forehead.

Neil's pallor and the constant sheen of sweat, despite the cool indoor air conditioned environment of Eldoria, indicated his discomfort.

Suddenly, Neil lost his patience, turning to Chelsea, "Show the guest out!"

Chelsea looked at me, then at Neil, hoping to mediate, "Mr. Whitmore..."

"Can't you understand a simple request?" Neil snapped, his temper flaring more than before, "If you're reluctant to do your job, I can always find another caretaker."

This put Chelsea in a tough spot, and she pleaded with me, "Ms. Finch, perhaps it's best if you leave now."

I wanted to stay, to understand everything, but Chelsea's plea made it impossible to refuse without risking her job.

I glanced at Neil, who wasn't even looking at me, but at Hiram, his gaze intense and serious.

"Come inside, we'll talk," Russel invited, the only place I could turn to in Eldoria.

Once settled in his living room, with Boomer the dog climbing into my lap, I waited for Russel's explanation.

"Well, Kitty found Neil while overseas. She's been by his side this whole year. What do you think their relationship is?" Russel's words left me startled.

"Lovers?" The word slipped out, my heart squeezing tight at the thought.

"Complicated," Russel replied with a nonchalant shrug. "Still want to go for it? Like how you used to hover around Neil, got the guts and grit to do that all over again?"

He fixed his gaze on me, deep and probing, waiting for my reply.

Neil had pushed me away, then and now, though for different reasons. Gathering my courage, I responded, "Of course, I believe he's doing this just not to hold me back, right?"

Russel's smile broadened slightly. "I dunno, but you're welcome to try. Got plenty of rooms here. Stay as long as you need, till you either make it or give up for good."

With my mind made up, I was determined not to find myself stuck in limbo again. It was time to take a stand and fight for what I wanted.

"Alright," I said, my voice firm and decisive.