Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 517

My parents' transformation brought me immense joy, and with it, a significant reduction in my psychological stress.

By the time I woke up, it was already a sunny afternoon. My mom hadn't gone to work and there was now a nanny in the house - someone she hired early in the morning to look after the children.

As for Eliza, she had to accompany me back to Rosemont today.

"Rena, remember to consult me no matter what happens, okay? Don't shoulder everything on your own." Mom advised me solemnly before I left.

"Okay, Mom. Please take care of Serena and Brandon for me. I'll deal with things on my end as quickly as I can and then come back." I looked at the two kids playing in their crib, feeling reluctant to leave them. But I knew this was for their safety.

My mom's expression was serious. "I definitely will, don't worry."

I went over and gave Serena a kiss, then Brandon, before reluctantly getting into the car to leave.

In the rear-view mirror, I saw my mom holding Brandon at the front door, watching me as her figure gradually shrank in the distance. That was when I noticed that this little old lady had started to stoop a little. She seemed shorter than in her youth. It was said that people shrink as they age - my mom was aging too, but she still had to worry about work and about me.

My nose twitched, and I felt a wave of sadness.

In that moment, all I wanted was to quickly resolve everything so I could live with my parents and the kids, free of worries and enjoying life. Having family and friends was enough for me!

...

When I returned to Rosemont, it was again late at night.

Stella and the others were already asleep. Hearing me return, Stella sleepily got up and asked, "Rena, have you had dinner yet?"

"I've eaten, you go ahead and sleep!" I answered while changing my shoes.

"Alright, I'm beat. I'm going to bed." Stella could barely keep her eyes open, yet she still had to get up to make sure I'd eaten. I was touched, considering she wasn't even my mother.

I hadn't really eaten anything. But I wasn't very hungry, so I took a shower and went to bed.

Without Serena and Brandon by my side, I had trouble falling asleep. I scrolled through my phone, looking at pictures of the kids with a motherly smile on my face. It wasn't until the sky began to lighten that I finally drifted off.

"Damn, Neil's at the door already, Rena. Did he come to see you?" Stella's voice rang in my ears like a thunderclap.

My sleepiness was instantly shattered, and I woke up.

Neil? He was here?

I remembered telling him I'd look after Hiram's situation for him when I got back, and that day was today. He must have taken me seriously.

I got up, rubbed my bleary eyes, and couldn't help but frown.

"Yeah, he probably came to see me. Let me freshen up, and I'll head out." I replied.

"Wait, Rena! You absolutely can't remarry him. Don't let him move you, okay? Look at Mitch, he didn't do anything as extreme as Neil. I wouldn't give him another chance to hurt me, and you should be the same!" Stella grabbed my shoulders with a look of exasperation.

"No, I'm not planning to remarry him. You're overthinking." I quickly stopped Stella. I hadn't had enough sleep, and my head was starting to ache from her shaking.

Stella finally stopped shaking me and asked, "Then why did he come to see you as soon as you got back? Didn't you tell him to?"