Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 554

I didn't answer Russel's question. Instead, I silently wrapped his wounds with the kind of amateur care you only offer when appearances are all that matter.

"Why the silence?" Russel prodded, seemingly eager to clear the air between us.

"There's not much to say," I replied coldly. "You made your choice back then, knowing full well this could happen. Neil was your best friend, and you’re the one who broke that bond." With that, I grabbed my car keys. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going. I'll cover your hospital bills. Just send me the statement, and we'll settle up."

I turned to leave, but Russel called out again, "Do you hate me now?"

I paused, looking back at him. My feelings were a tangle of disappointment and wariness, too complex to easily express. It wasn't hatred I felt for Russel; it was a profound letdown.

Perhaps my gaze was too piercing, for Russel averted his eyes, head bowed. I couldn't see his face, just the contrast of his dark, thick hair against his pale skin, longer than before, framing his face and softly touching his ears.

How could such a pleasing exterior hide such a gloomy heart?

I didn't understand it, and I didn't want to anymore.

"At first, I thought being friends would be enough. Then, I saw you as a great guy, thinking it was my loss not to fall for you. But believe me, I never hated you. It's just that my expectations were too high, and you never came close," I said, leaving without looking back.

Outside, a drizzle began to fall, mirroring my somber mood. I stood at the hospital entrance for a few minutes, letting the fine rain cool my skin. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the rainy night and drove back to the city center's hospital.

Arriving unexpectedly, I spotted Faith Whitmore hesitating at the hospital's main entrance.

"Faith?" I called out, surprised.

"Irene, what brings you back here?" Faith looked equally surprised, unaware of my return. "Are you here for Hiram?"

"Yes. What about you? Why are you here so late?" I joined her under the umbrella.

Faith sighed, not answering immediately. "And you? I thought you went home to take care of Serena and Brandon. Neil mentioned you were busy and wouldn't come back for Hiram. He said he'd find someone else."

I smiled. "I did go home for a few days, but I came back. Hiram kept calling, saying he missed me."