Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 535

Stella poured me a glass of red wine and settled down next to me, her mood visibly low.

My mood wasn't much better. Though life hadn't been as tragic as my past one, it hadn't followed the script I'd envisioned either. Everything was changing with my rebirth, myself included.

It all felt like a dream to me.

"What happened in Springvale these past few days?" Stella asked.

"A lot," I sighed. I then began sharing the Whitmore family's predicament and Russel's situation. It was cathartic to let out some pent-up feelings.

At first, Stella maintained her composure, occasionally nodding or asking a question. But as the story unfolded, she lost control, almost spitting out her wine.

"What? Russel helped Karina fake her death?!" She was so astonished, she almost leapt off the couch.

"I know, surprising, isn't it?" I gave a bitter smile. My reaction had been similar to Stella's at first, but I hadn't been as expressive.

Stella wiped the wine from her lips. "I can't believe it. I never thought he was that kind of person. Why would he do such a thing? Did he have a grudge against Neil?"

I shook my head. There was no deep-seated resentment between Russel and Neil; the only possible cause of friction was Karina.

But Russel had claimed he never accepted Karina's affection, and she approached Neil out of desperation when she saw no hope with Russel.

Could all that have been a lie?

Russel must have had some affection for Karina, or he wouldn't have tolerated her constant presence. He wasn't a very tolerant person.

Could it be... that Karina being with Neil triggered his possessiveness and a sense of loss?

For him to help Karina fake her death because of this seemed extreme.

"I certainly didn't expect it. How is this different from stabbing me in the back?" Stella's voice still held traces of shock, "I thought he was a good guy, a breath of fresh air among Neil's trashy crowd. I didn't expect him to pull something like this, it's a total perspective shift..."

"Such people tend to be more dangerous," I said, sipping my wine. Its rich taste spread across my tongue but failed to soothe my turbulent emotions.

I was worried about how I'd cope if Russel decided to retaliate. His tactics weren't any kinder than Neil's, they were downright ruthless.

Stella had no response, so we silently drank our wine. After a while, she brought up a point, "Well, at least it's not just because of you that he's acting this way. Otherwise, it would be too much for you to handle."

I agreed, it was a small consolation.

I was about to discuss Dylan and Karina's situation with Stella when my phone interrupted our conversation. It was Neil.

I answered the call.

"I still need your help with that favor," Neil's voice resonated from the other end, deep and clear.