Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 516

It turned out Neil knew about Louis and Russel's collaboration all along.

"So, are you busy dealing with both of them now?" I asked.

"Yeah, and there are other company matters to handle, too. I can't leave Hiram with Karina, which is why I turned to you." Neil seemed to have made up his mind to let Karina go, but he wanted to keep the kid.

If I were in his shoes, I would never accept someone else taking my child. But Karina's actions were indeed horrifying. She was so fixated on Neil that she treated her own child like a mere tool.

"The problem is, I can't help you, Neil." I declined him once again. Hiram was very resistant towards me. Even if I pitied him for having an irresponsible mother, I just couldn't take care of him.

If I had the time, I'd rather take care of Serena and Brandon myself.

"You have to help me." Neil's tone was firm. "I'll make you a deal. If Russel and Louis stop troubling for me, I'll let bygones be bygones and won't seek revenge. Are you satisfied with this?"

The calmness on the surface was all a facade. Russel seemed to have tricked me, yet not tricked me at the same time.

"Let's talk when I get back." I was currently busy with sending off my two kids. I had no time to deal with Neil and someone else's child.

"Where are you going?" Neil caught onto the key point of my words. "When will you be back?"

Did I have to report my whereabouts to him?

I replied impatiently, "That's none of your business. I'll be back the day after tomorrow. Then, I'll give you my answer. But you should also think about what you promise me. If you and Russel keep this up, you'll only drag me down. I'm living my life peacefully, and I don't have time to be a troublemaker!"

If the cause of their conflict had nothing to do with me, they could even break into each other's houses and stab each other a dozen times, and I wouldn't interfere.

But because it involves me, I had no choice. Even if I tried to turn a blind eye, trouble would still come to me.

As a person who has lived twice, I was not naive enough to think I could avoid all troubles.

"If you had remarried me directly before, without giving Russel any hope, none of this would have happened." Neil's voice was heavy and cold, tinged with jealousy.

"Neil, be clear about your current status. You have Karina and a seven-year-old son. Stop wasting your time here, okay? You and Russel have the same brain structure. How can you both not understand this?" My words were a bit harsh.

Neil went speechless. His lips curved coldly, devoid of any emotion, and his eyes were just staring at me.

Even if he had nothing for Karina but a sense of responsibility, there was still a Hiram between us. I was not a generous woman, and I had to consider my own children.

A complete family was certainly important, but I didn't want Serena and Brandon to know they had a half-brother when they grew up.

This thought made me more determined to send the children to my parents' place. Until the matters here were resolved, I didn't want Neil to see the kids again, nor did I want them to be exposed under Karina's watch, in case any unbearable accident happened.

I ignored Neil, returned to my car, and drove away.