Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 596

\"You're a beast. Hitting you would be the least of what you deserve!\" I spat out the words through gritted teeth.

Although Neil's face darkened, he didn't seem ready to lash out at me. He didn't dwell on the fact that I had slapped him either. Instead, he asked, \"Irene, do you think my words mean nothing? That they're all self-serving?\"

\"I don't know what you're on about. I want out of this car,\" I said, my voice dripping with irritation.

But the car door wouldn't budge, reigniting the anger simmering inside me. The issues with my dad and the sudden lawsuit from Karina had pushed me to my limit, though I tried not to show it.

Neil's actions had just fanned the flames of my pent-up rage.

Of course, I wouldn't hit Neil again. He wasn't afraid of my hits, and I was worried he might accidentally break my hand in retaliation.

I pulled out my phone, intending to call the cops. Neil, in a swift move, snatched my phone and ended the call. \"Have you lost your mind?\"

\"You're restricting my freedom. Can't I call the cops?\" I shot back, my tone aggressive.

\"I just want to know what the hell you want!\" Neil finally lost his cool, slamming his hand on the steering wheel before gripping it tightly, his knuckles whitening with the force.

Seeing his anger in such a confined space, I decided to be the bigger person and calm down. \"Maybe try asking your question again, but make it clearer this time.\"

\"I've told you all about what Russell has done and the kind of person he is. Why do you still insist on entangling yourself with him? Haven't you been burned by him enough to know better?\" Neil elaborated on his concern about Russell.

Any mention of Russell always got a strong reaction out of him.

\"I never intended to get tangled up with him. It's just some things are beyond my control. Neil, can't you see your double standards? Your past with Bonnie and now with Karina, haven't you failed to cut ties completely too?\" I took a deep breath and tried to reason with Neil.

His cold aura seemed to grow even colder, as my words hit home.

It's easy to talk about cutting ties, but actually doing it, especially when it comes to relationships, is a whole different story unless one of the parties is dead.

\"Fine, even if you're right, that you had no choice but to ask Russell for a favor for your dad's sake, did you really need to go out to dinner alone with him?\" Neil, realizing his hypocrisy, softened his voice but picked on another issue.

\"He did me a big favor. Shouldn't I at least treat him to dinner? Neil, have you forgotten? He's also the father of my two kids,\" I deliberately brought up the kids to gauge Neil's reaction.

Neil was sharp, never missing a hint of suspicion. His inability to see the obvious in the situation with Serena and Brandon, choosing to trust me instead because he couldn't face the possibility of the kids not being his, seemed out of character.

Neil wasn't one to shy away from difficult truths.

When I mentioned the kids, Neil's gaze flickered briefly but showed no other sign of disturbance. He scoffed coldly, \"You don't need to remind me of that.\"

\"So, having dinner with him is pretty normal. We might not be able to avoid each other in the future,\" I continued, hoping to prevent Neil from making a fuss over such matters again.

Neil fell silent, his gaze fixed on the autumn-tinged trees lining the streets outside, their leaves a mix of green and yellow, beautiful yet somber.

I thought he would let me out of the car, but instead, he started the engine and sped away from the hospital.