Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 602

Seeing how my dad and I were giving her the cold shoulder, Karina didn't persist and the journey to the hospital was relatively peaceful.

It wasn't until she showed up at the same hospital my dad was about to check into that I realized why she had been so calm. We were headed to the same place; she wasn't in a hurry to make small talk along the way.

“What a coincidence, on the same flight and now in the same hospital,” Karina said with a composed smile as we stood in the hospital lobby. “I'm here to visit a friend.”

I didn't respond, just focused on getting my dad admitted for surgery. Although he had been checked out back home, the hospital here wanted their own tests done. I didn't have time for Karina's chatter.

She waited patiently, watching me bustle around. Finally, she spoke again, this time with a hint of bitterness, “Neil pulled some strings for you, didn’t he? To get this appointment?”

Thankfully, my dad wasn’t there to hear her. I shot her a glare, “Karina, thought you were here for a friend? Why waste my time?”

“Hit a nerve, did I?” Her smile cooled. “You claim you want nothing to do with Neil, that it’s over, but that’s just an excuse, isn’t it? After loving him for so many years, how could you just let go? I must say, using divorce as a tactic, that was clever.”

“Is love all you think about?” I was grateful we were overseas; the hospital staff and others couldn’t understand our conversation.

Karina was frustrated, “Do you think I want to be like this? My life’s been turned upside down because of you. I’ve lost everything. Shouldn’t I blame you?”

If I had known you were this tough to take down, I would have never agreed to marry Neil.

I took the paperwork and ignored Karina, heading to the doctor’s office to find my dad and get ready for the tests. With so much on my plate, I just hoped Karina wouldn’t cause more trouble.

While my dad was getting tested, I caught up with my mom, letting her know everything was okay. Stella Wallace and the others were also worried about my dad, so I updated our group chat about the next steps.

Of course, I mentioned running into Karina, which led to a flurry of questions from Stella: What? You run into her even abroad?

Alicia Rider: Were she and Hiram living there before?

Me: No, but she said she’s here to visit a friend in the hospital. Not sure if it’s true.

Barbara Sands: Be careful. After your dad’s surgery, stay vigilant. I’ve always found her a bit unsettling, especially with her medical knowledge.

Me: Got it. By the way, Stella, how are things with Mitch Hebert? Still giving you a hard time?

Stella took a while before responding, this time with a voice message that went from frustration to defeat, “Yeah, he’s nuts. Shows up to bring breakfast before work, as if I hired all those housekeepers just for decoration. Though, Yara’s been under the weather, and he did come with us to the hospital.”