Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 480

"You shouldn't be here, Neil," Russell was the first to break the silence, his tone icy, his eyes filled with barely concealed hostility.

Neil, cradling Brandon in his arms, just kept pacing, casually retorting, "Why shouldn't I be here? She's my ex-wife. It's only natural for us to meet as long as she's not married."

At the mention of 'not married', my heart sank.

As expected, Russell's face grew grim, and in the next moment, his gaze landed on me, filled with disbelief.

Did he think I was the one who told Neil?

"Neil, stop talking nonsense!" I couldn't help but interrupt him. I didn't want to be with Russell, but I couldn't admit that now.

"Nonsense? If you two aren't legally married, then you aren't husband and wife in my eyes," Neil's words were obviously meant to provoke Russell. He put Brandon into his stroller, then sank into the couch, speaking in a calm and unhurried tone, completely ignoring my protest.

Neil was just as possessive as I'd thought. Even if given a hundred more years, he would still do as he pleased.

I just couldn't understand how he'd found out about the state of my marriage with Russell.

"Did you tell him?" Russell's tone shifted, his eyes full of disappointment as he looked at me.

I immediately shook my head, but I had just had a big fight with him a few days ago, even stating that I'd rather be entangled with Neil than be with him. So, my denial seemed to have little effect.

I could feel the tension radiating off Russell, the hurt in his eyes apparent. As he walked towards me, I held Serena in my arms and my heart pounded with fear, worried about what he might do.

"Russell, we have two children together. Isn't that enough to consider us married, even without a piece of paper?" I quickly explained, not only trying to calm Russell but also hoping to dispel any doubts Neil might have about the children.

As soon as I finished speaking, both men's expressions changed.

Russell's face softened considerably and he stopped in his tracks, while Neil's eyes went dark and stormy as he stared at Russell and me.

"Right, I don't care about a marriage license. A piece of paper doesn't always guarantee that people will cherish what they have," Russell took Serena from my arms and kissed her gently.

Serena, who was already fond of Russell, let out a cute giggle at his kiss.

Her laughter made Russell smile too, his eyes warm and tender, enough to make anyone fall for him. He was just too good to my children.

But Neil was clearly irked by this scene. He rose, his whole being radiating frustration and cold determination.

"Marriage without a license, is that so?" Neil laughed coldly, glancing at Brandon with a chilling gaze that sent shivers down my spine.

If he'd already discovered that Russell and I weren't legally married, then it wouldn't be too hard for him to arrange another paternity test, and then everything would be exposed.

"What's the point of you pestering her?" Russell's voice was back to its usual calm demeanor, probably pleased by my earlier words. His eyes narrowed slightly as he addressed Neil, "We're a happy family of four, and you have Karina and Hiram. Neil, don't you know how to cherish what you have?"

Russell's words only made Neil's expression even colder, as if a sore spot had been poked. He hadn't cherished me when we were together, and now he wasn't cherishing Karina either.