Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 348

Just as I nodded in agreement, my phone rang. The sudden noise in the quiet living room sent my heartbeat racing. Seeing the caller ID, I felt a headache coming on.

Sure enough, it was my mom.

I didn't want to answer it, but I was worried that ignoring it would make her suspicious. So I gave Neil a look and picked up the call.

"Rena, where are you? Why haven't you come home yet?" My mom's stern voice put me under a lot of pressure.

"I'm on my way home. I was out shopping with Alicia Rider." I quickly made up an excuse, my insides churning with anxiety.

"You're with Alicia? Really?" My mom asked doubtfully, "Then where is she? Let her talk to me."

Well, that was a pickle. I glanced nervously at Neil, who was quietly watching me with a serious expression.

"She just left. I'll have her call you later, okay? I'm about to head home too." I had no choice but to keep up the lie.

My mom wasn't easily fooled. "No need. I'll call Alicia directly. I have her number!"

She hung up before I could coordinate with Alicia. Cold sweat trickled down my back, and I felt extremely uneasy.

Neil's gaze was piercing, as if seeing right through me. He suddenly said, "I've already texted Alicia. It should be fine."

I was taken aback, "Really?"

"Yeah." Neil raised an eyebrow and said, "Feels like we're having an affair with our current situation."

That description made me cringe.

I didn't respond to Neil. I just waited in silence. A couple of minutes later, my phone rang again. It was my mom.

Thanks to Neil's quick thinking and Alicia seeing his message in time, my lie was salvaged. My mom only told me to get home soon. I thought that was it, but then she suddenly brought up Russel Dawson, "Rena, did Russel say anything to you? After he brought you food, did he say anything?"

Her voice, previously calm, suddenly spiked. I quickly looked at Neil, worried he had heard.

Unfortunately, his expression had already changed. There was a clear flash of anger in his eyes.

I had a feeling my mom did that intentionally. Even though Alicia vouched for me, she was still suspicious.

If Neil wasn't by my side, or if I didn't care about him anymore, what she said wouldn't be a problem. But if Neil heard, it would definitely cause trouble between us, which was exactly what she wanted.

"Mom, there's nothing between Russel and me. Stop doing this." I was speechless at my mom's behavior; her illness had changed her.