Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 240

My dad sure as hell wouldn't want me to ask Neil for help again. He was stubborn as a mule, and I was scared that he'd give me grief later.

I'm not sure if my bull-headed persistence was right or wrong, but I still wanted to do what my parents wanted.

I try to avoid anything they wouldn't want to happen.

"Irene, you're as stubborn as a mule, but this time, I'm going to make you come to me and lessen your stubbornness a bit!" Neil's face was as dark as a thundercloud, and his words were ice-cold.

I shook my head, "No bloody way, Neil. Even if my house is in ruins and I have to take odd jobs, I won't bow down to you. The idea of me returning to your side to be your punching bag is a no-go."

Neil couldn't help but chuckle, "When did I ever make you a punching bag? Can't I just want to make it up to you?"

"I don't want it." I said resolutely.

Neil was silent. He stared at me for a few seconds, "Fine, I've said my piece. You don't have to come back to me, but I won't let you be with any other man. I keep my word."

He turned and left after that, and I watched his angry figure disappear, feeling more and more down.

His words were full of threats. Was that how he treated Bonnie before?

I never thought that method would be used on me, but I'm not Bonnie. I didn't want to repeat the same mistakes.

After leaving Lucas' house, I didn't have time to convince them because the company was in a tight spot, so I had to rush back to Rosemont.

I was busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest, placating employees, overseeing production and sales, dealing with investors who wanted to pull their funding, and investigating the finance department.

There was still no progress with my dad's situation. Harold was hindered, Russel disappeared, and I lost all contact with him.

Then Chloe came to the company to see me again.

"Ms. Finch, how are you holding up?" Chloe asked as soon as she saw me. She looked anxious. "It's been so long; can't you let go?"

"I promised him I wouldn't give up." I looked at Chloe calmly. I was at rock bottom right now, but I found a sense of acceptance.

Unless Russel personally told me to give up, I didn't want to break my promise to him.

We didn't have deep feelings for each other, but he had given me warmth and companionship when I was lonely and sad. Besides, he had had a fallout with his family because of me. I couldn't just break up with him.

Chloe was about to burst into tears, "Please, can you? I know you don't actually love him; you just like the feeling of being loved. But this will hurt Russel. Can't you think about him?

Ms. Finch, I don't want to bring up your painful past, but as far as I know, you've been married and had a miscarriage, while Russel has never had a girlfriend. Do you think that's fair?"

Chloe looked me in the eyes as she spoke, not avoiding anything. Even if it might have angered me and broken my heart, she still had to say it.

I clenched my fists, my heart aching like it was being squeezed.

That was not a flaw in my life, but it was definitely my most painful memory.

"I really don't want to be your enemy. I like Russel, but I'm willing to bless you guys. If the Dawson family wasn't so against it, I wouldn't have to say this to you." Chloe said apologetically.

"You don't need to tell me this. I'm well aware. When Russel and I were together, we both had it figured out." I tried to suppress my emotions and stay calm.