Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 3

These guys were my best buds and they'd been there for me through hell and high water, especially after the whole Neil debacle. We couldn't really do much about Neil, but their genuine support moved me deeply. So I spilled the beans about my plan to divorce Neil. As for the whole reincarnation thing, I decided not to mention it.

After hearing my piece, they fell silent for a moment, then burst into applause. "Hell yeah! Let's celebrate Rena breaking free from her crappy marriage tonight!"-

"Cheers!" I hollered back, raising my glass in the air. I could almost see myself post-divorce, embracing a brand new life, leaving the painful past behind.

A few drinks in, we four women plucked up some courage. Barbara gave me a nudge, "Rena, spot any hotties? Go for it! Neil's got all his scandals, we can't lose!"

"F... fair point," I slurred, scanning the room until my gaze landed on a tall, thin figure. He seemed young from his clothes. A college guy, perhaps?

Neil hooked up with a college girl, so why not me with a college guy?

I sauntered over, tapped the young man on the shoulder, "Hey handsome, fancy a drink? It's on me..."

He turned around, strikingly handsome, looking like a fresh face in the entertainment industry. He stared at me in surprise before shaking his head, "Sorry, I have a girlfriend."

"Oh, my bad. I'll try my luck with someone else then," I nodded to the young man. The alcohol made me incoherent. I didn't even understand what I was saying, then I moved on.

But I stumbled a few steps later, dropping my glass which shattered on impact. I sat on the floor, dizzy and suddenly hit with a wave of sleepiness.

"Let me help you up," the college guy extended a hand.

Sitting on the floor, flushed, I stared at him. What the hell? Why did his face morph into Neil's, glaring at me coldly? I tried to get up but ended up pressing my palm onto the broken glass. Blood gushed out and I collapsed.

In my dream, Neil's cold, heartless face appeared again. I sat in the messy living room, sobbing like a mad woman. When Neil first announced his plans to divorce me, my parents and the elders of the Whitmore family tried to pressure him. Neil didn't give a damn; he was determined to divorce me even if it cost the Finch family greatly.

The Whitmore elders first rebuked him, then reluctantly helped him. I heard they even accepted his new girlfriend, Bonnie. She had Neil's unwavering support and gradually won over the Whitmore parents. And she was pregnant.

"Neil, I've loved you for ten years. Don't you feel anything for me?" I wept, tears streaming through my fingers.

"Nothing, Irene. I gave you a chance to end things amicably, but you didn't take it," Neil replied coldly. His phone rang. It was Bonnie's chirpy voice.

“Mr. Whitmore, Mr. Whitmore, please pick up!”

I listened to the sweet ringtone, and watched Neil hurry off, the room spinning and a sharp pain in my chest.

I woke up gasping for air, only to find myself in my own bedroom, bathed in sunlight, birds chirping outside. How did the college guy get me home?

I glanced at my bandaged hand, massaged my throbbing temples, and tried to find the college guy, only to hear Neil's voice outside.