Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 217

"Don't say that. You don't owe me anything," I shook my head.

Russel heaved a sigh, "But you're my girlfriend. If I can't even take care of you, what's the point of me?"

I smiled a bit, somewhat touched.

At that moment, my dad chimed in from behind us, "Get a professional nurse to take care of your mom, so no one else can bother her."

I had the same thought, given how swamped I was.

My dad was about to go on a business trip, so he dropped by to check on my mom. Bonnie's actions and words earlier had weighed heavily on him. He was frowning the whole time.

The three of us left the hospital together. Bailey was waiting at the door for my dad. After they left, Russel took my hand and led me to his car.

"Let's get you some food; put some weight back on," he said with a grin.

"If only one meal could restore all the weight I've lost," I sighed, letting Russel lead me.

He turned to look at me and said, "What's so hard about that? From now on, I'll eat with you every day. If I can't, I'll have someone send you gourmet food to make sure you're well-nourished and healthy."

Being so cherished felt so good. Looking into Russel's eyes, I suddenly felt that we were finally like a normal couple.

Russel took me out for a lavish dinner. He was incredibly gentlemanly and tender, peeling shrimp and picking out bones for me. Everything was perfect.

It was the most relaxing day I'd had in a while.

"Russel, were you mad when you found out I'd asked Neil and Anthony for help? Why are you still so good to me?" I rested my cheek on my hand, watching him across the table.

"I wasn't mad; I was jealous." Russel looked at me helplessly and said, "I'm your boyfriend, but you didn't want to tell me when you had problems, instead asking other men for help. How could I not be jealous?"

I blushed, realizing I might have been a bit unreasonable.

I'd always hated to impose on Russel. I always felt like he was getting the short end of the stick by being with me, and he had to fight his family on top of it all, so I didn't want to add to his troubles.

Seeing my embarrassment, Russel kindly changed the subject and asked, "Are you full? Want to go shopping?"

"Full. Let's go," I answered quickly.

Whenever Russel and I went shopping, he'd always ask me questions like, "Do you want this?"

"Do you want this bag?"

"Do you want this dress?"

"Do you want this bracelet?"

I always said no, but every time I glanced at anything for a second longer than usual, he'd buy it once we left the store.

I’d never shopped so crazily when I was with Stella and the others. In the end, Russel was loaded down with shopping bags, turning heads as we walked down the street.

It was past eleven when Russel finally drove me home. The backseat of the car was piled high with luxury goods, our spoils of war for the day.

In the past, I didn't understand this seemingly cold man. But after becoming his girlfriend, I realized he was good at expressing his love through actions, not just empty words.

Even though I was already well-off, having a man willing to spend money on me without a second thought touched me.

"Russel, tell me how much all this stuff cost. I'll transfer the money to you," I told him as I got out of the car.

"Rena, that's insulting me," Russel replied immediately. "This is what I'm supposed to do."