Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 424

After Ariana was led away, the living room was left with Neil and me, together with Stella and Mitch.

The atmosphere was stiff as a board. I was the first to break the silence, turning to Mitch, "Mitch, did you see Ariana drinking from Stella's cup just now?"

Mitch seemed lost for words.

Stella quickly interjected, "Of course he saw, but did nothing to stop it. In his eyes, it's a minor matter. Soon, our kids and I will be just as insignificant to him. So, before that happens, let's divorce. I want custody of all three kids. I don't care about anything else!"

As she spoke, her emotions escalated, teetering on the brink of tears.

Stella never cared about money; she could well afford to raise thirty kids, let alone three. What hurt her was Mitch's growing indifference towards her, the dwindling of his undivided attention.

"I won't agree!" Mitch blurted out.

"To what exactly? Not agreeing to divorce Stella, or not agreeing to give the kids to Stella?" I asked bluntly.

Mitch hesitated, and this reaction sent a chill down my spine.

If he disagreed with the divorce, he would have answered immediately. But his hesitation suggested that he was torn between the two options.

When a woman is no longer a man's only choice, it signifies that the love has soured.

Stella's face fell, her eyes suddenly filling with sorrow. She spun around and headed for the bedroom.

I rushed forward to stop her, "Stella, wait, where are you going?"

"I'm taking my kids back to Rosemont, back to my home!" Stella's voice was uncharacteristically cold and hard.

Mitch followed her upon seeing this.

As Stella held the kid, ready to leave, Mitch blocked her way.

I positioned myself between them, wary of any potential conflict.

“I never thought about divorce, okay?” Mitch softened his tone, a pleading note in his voice. "I admit my mistake with Ariana. I just saw her, a woman of her age, living alone with a child, and felt sorry for her. I helped her a few times, but I never did anything inappropriate with her, really!"

I didn't believe his explanation.

From Mitch's promotion of Ariana, and his defense of her earlier, it was clear that it was more than just pity.

"Mitch, do you actually believe what you just said?" Stella looked at Mitch coldly. "When we got married, I told you that if you ever changed your heart, even slightly, I wouldn't tolerate it."

Mitch was left speechless. He reached out to hold the child, but I blocked him, "The kid is still so young, let Stella take the kid. You won't be able to take care of children."

Mitch disagreed, "How can I not take care of my children? I help with my three kids every day after work. Is she the only one who can?"

The tension was palpable. It was clear that the conflict between them had been simmering for a while.

“All you do is help change the diapers, hold the kids, and make the formula. What else can you do?” Stella was inflamed, her voice rising.

Their argument woke the kids, who began crying loudly.

I had to take Serena and Brandon to the nursery and place them in their stroller.

Stella's child was also crying. She had to soothe her child and argue with Mitch at the same time, and I was frustrated just watching. I wished I could slap some sense into Mitch!