Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 416

"Right, we're not even friends, Dr. Karina. Let's make that clear." I chimed in, casting a shadow over Neil's already gloomy mood.

Karina pretended to be disappointed, "You were once married, after all. There's no need to be so indifferent. Perhaps, you could just be regular friends moving forward."

It was a pretense of reconciliation but, in reality, a display of triumph.

Wasn't the frosty distance between Neil and me the perfect tonic to her insecurities?

"Whatever kind of friendship it is, I'm not interested. I haven't had breakfast yet. I'm heading home." I didn't play along with Karina's performance.

Once I found my car, I loaded up the groceries I'd bought and drove home.

If there was any chance of Neil and me being 'regular friends,' why would I have moved to Eldoria?

When I got home, Serena and Brandon were already awake.

Norah was making them exercise. Seeing me, she took the groceries from me, "Ms. Finch, I'll start breakfast."

Norah went to the kitchen, and I stayed with the kids.

During that time, my mom sent a video call. Other than checking in on the kids, she wanted to talk about Lucas' affairs. To my surprise, Lucas had drawn up a will. After the immediate family, my mom was next in line.

That meant that if something happened to Lucas' immediate family, all his wealth would have gone to my mom.

That was a surprise to all of us.

My uncle, Lucas, had harbored a profound resentment towards my parents. My dad had decided to handle a business matter reasonably, which Lucas took as a betrayal. Ever since that time, our families had been at odds.

As for my uncle, he had always kept his distance.

"I...I don't know what to say," I confessed.

"Your aunt is still in the ICU, so it probably won't go to me. We don't want his money. We just want her to get better. But even if she does, how is she going to face everything? If I were her, I don't know if I could bear it..." My mom choked up towards the end.

Lucas was her brother, after all. Even if they had their differences, she had let bygones be bygones. Besides, Lucas' will must have hit her hard.

It was clear that Lucas still held his sister in high regard.

"Mom, are you and Dad going to stay there for a while?" I asked, "Considering my aunt's condition, you'll probably need to be there for some time, right?"

My mom confirmed, "Yes, can you and Norah manage with Serena and Brandon?"

"No problem, they're both very well-behaved," I assured her, "You guys take care of everything there and come back when you're ready. If anything happens, I'll let you know."

"All right, and be careful of Neil and that Karina, okay?" Even in those circumstances, my mom was worried about that.

I didn't tell her about Ryan and Faith coming to my house, wanting to take Serena and Brandon for a paternity test. That would have just added to their worries.

So, I tried to change the subject, "What happened last night?"

Russel knew I was trying to deflect, but he still explained gently, "We had a patient. It was a young girl. Her boyfriend had just proposed to her not long ago when they met with an accident. She didn't make it."

So, witnessing the loss of a loved one had stirred those feelings in him?

I never knew Russel had such a sensitive side.

"Yes, that's really unfortunate. Her boyfriend must be devastated," I said, my mind a whirl of thoughts.

"That's why I don't want to wait anymore. I've already discussed this with your parents and they didn't object. They just told me to think it through, to make sure I wouldn't regret it later. And then, to ask you," Russel put the ring down on the table, "Could you please consider it? I want to be Serena and Brandon's legal father. I'll treat them as my own. As for us...whether we have kids or not, it doesn't matter to me."

It was not every day that a man laid it all on the line like that, even his dignity.

I would have been lying if I said I wasn't touched. However, my rationality kept me from accepting it just because I was moved.

After a spell of silence, I could tell that Russel had already figured out my answer. He didn't seem upset or disappointed, but instead, he merely chuckled, "I knew it wouldn't be that easy. Even before Serena and Brandon came into the picture, it was tough. Now with them involved, it's even harder for you to accept me. I can understand that."

"Russel, I'm sorry," I managed to murmur after a moment of hesitation.

"No need to apologize. I'm doing this willingly." Russel pocketed the ring, "I'll try again someday. Maybe one day, you will truly accept me."

I really wanted to tell him to stop wasting his time, but then I remembered how many times I had said those words before, to no avail.