Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 243

What really ticked me off was that I couldn’t find that woman in the green coat anywhere. She might have taken another route, or she could have driven off, which was why I didn’t see her.

I ended up parking my car at the side of the road, feeling a massive headache coming on.

Neil reminded me, "When your parents are in trouble, those who had beef with your family will come and kick you while you're down. Brace yourself."

I knew that I used to live a carefree life under my parents’ wings, enjoying the envy of others, but things were different now. I had to face the haters that kept popping up.

This kind of life was draining me out.

I managed a weak "I get it" before heading back to the office.

I decided to cut all ties with the Whitmores. Neil came in high spirits but left with a long face.

I had the company's security department pull up the surveillance footage to identify the gift-bearer. I had this gut feeling that Bonnie was behind it.

After going through the footage, I finally spotted the woman who delivered the gift. Even with sunglasses and a mask on, I recognized her from her figure and the way she walked.

I was in a slump. Without my parents' support, I felt under-equipped to handle this. Life had become a struggle, and Bonnie still wanted to keep kicking me when I was down, damn her.

Her heart was so wicked, it was terrifying.

Since she wouldn't let up, I wouldn't disappoint her. I posted the surveillance footage on social media, laying out the whole story and calling Bonnie out.

Before long, Bonnie demanded a face-to-face meeting.

I turned her down. "We don't need to meet, just apologize publicly."

"No way, I'll sue you for defamation. You're recklessly accusing me, and it's damaging my reputation, even my business!" Bonnie retorted in a fit of rage.

I scoffed, "Fine, go ahead and sue me. Let's see who really gets exposed at the end."

Bonnie suddenly changed the subject as she said, "Irene, I was just impulsive. Neil confessed that he loves you, and I can't accept it. What do you say we make a deal?"

I stayed silent, waiting for Bonnie to continue.

She went on and said, "You and Russel are no longer together, right? I can introduce you to someone better. If you can get married soon, I can get my mother to help your family, maybe get your dad a shorter prison term."

Bonnie was trying to blackmail me with my father's situation.

How low could she get?

However, I was ready to face whatever came my way. I didn't need Bonnie's "help."

My dad was looking at a five-year sentence; my mom might never wake up, but I was willing to wait.

I responded coldly, "No need. You can focus on winning Neil back and figuring out how to write your apology."

Neil was Bonnie's biggest obsession. Because of him, she was changed drastically and even lost her parents in an accident. Despite all that, she still wanted to chase after Neil.

Didn't Bonnie get that Neil hated being chased? I learned that the hard way.

Now, Neil was not as cold towards me as he used to be. He said he couldn't let me go and wanted me back as a way to make up for everything.

Right now, I just wanted to drink and relax for a bit.

While Stella and the others were discussing Bonnie and Gloria, advising me on how to counterattack, I thought I saw Neil in the crowd.

I blinked, and the figure turned into Russel.

I rubbed my eyes and headed to the restroom to clear my head.

I threw up violently, tears streaming down my face, but none of it relieved the pain in my heart.

When I left the restroom, I bumped into someone. I mumbled an apology and tried to leave but got stopped.

I looked up to see Neil frowning down at me.

He looked at my drunken state. His tone was reproachful, "What are you trying to achieve by getting this wasted? You wouldn't even know if someone kidnapped you!"

"Let me be," I muttered numbly.

"I'm taking you home." Neil asserted, slinging an arm around my shoulder, ready to lead me away.

My suppressed emotions, fueled by alcohol and Neil's firm stance, burst forth. Tears streamed down my face as I lashed out at him, "What 'home'? Do I even have a 'home' anymore?"

My family was broken, and although I managed to save myself after a rebirth, my parents suffered even worse.

And all of this because I had the audacity to fall in love with someone I shouldn't have at seventeen. How ridiculous.