Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 20

When I got back home, it was already dark. Sterling Estates was all lit up and I told Bailey to go home as soon as I arrived. My in-laws were home, but Neil wasn't.

"Irene, where's Neil? Didn't he come back with you?" Faith asked, noticing I came back alone.

"I ran into a friend after the meeting so we grabbed a bite. I figured Neil would be home by now." I replied, feigning surprise.

If I had to guess, Neil wouldn't be coming home tonight. With a new target in sight, his heart was probably fluttering around elsewhere.

Ryan looked grim. They hadn't even returned to Springvale and Neil was already missing nights. Was he treating their home like a motel?

"Call him. If he doesn't answer, ring up all his pals!" He waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.

Faith gave me a meaningful look and I passed her my phone. I didn’t getting blamed. Better to let her handle the phone call. Neil wouldn't dare snap at his own mother.

I wasn't tight with Neil's friends, but I had most of their numbers, except Russell's. Faith started dialing, putting each call on speaker. After about four or five calls, I heard Mitch's voice, "Neil, your wife’s calling!"

"Don't pick up!" Neil sounded exasperated. My in-laws and I heard it loud and clear.

There were some laughs in the background. I was just a nagging wife in their eyes.

"It's your mom..." Mitch murmured.

The laughter instantly stopped.

Neil finally answered the phone, "Mom?"

"Neil, where the hell are you? Why didn't you come home for dinner? Hanging out with your playboy friends every day, you trying to ruin your life?!" Faith, normally a gentle and composed lady, was quite stern now.

"I'm just hanging out with some friends, I'll be back soon." Neil replied, clearly annoyed.

"Well, Irene was out with friends too, and she's back. I'm giving you half an hour to get your ass back here!" Faith hung up angrily as we heard giggly female laughter in the background.

She looked at me, her expression complicated, "Irene, give him a good scolding when he gets back. He needs to learn to be responsible to his family!"

I took my phone back, nodding like a wronged little woman.

Half an hour later, Neil got back, clearly disgruntled. I had just finished dinner and was cleaning my mouth when his icy gaze made me shiver.

He was too pissed to eat, so he just tossed his coat on the sofa and headed upstairs. My in-laws didn't even bother asking him about dinner, just continued watching TV. Soap operas weren't my thing, so I reluctantly headed upstairs too.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Neil's phone was on the bed. I was curious to check his messages, had he been in touch with Bonnie after I left?

I picked up the phone, but it required face ID to unlock. Just when I was feeling disappointed, a new message popped up, revealing the first part of its content.

It seemed to be a reply from Bonnie. "I'm sorry, Mr. Whitmore, I have a boyfriend now, and I heard that you..."

I couldn't see the rest, it was locked.

"What are you doing?" Neil's voice suddenly sounded from behind, filled with coldness.