Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 457

"No need, we're barely more than strangers. Anything to discuss can be handled over the phone," I said, showing no interest in seeing Louis.

Yet, Louis was persistent. "Let's meet up. We may not be close, but we're friends. I was planning to visit my ex, Malinda's hometown, but your actions have caused me to stay and deal with the fallout here."

I wasn't particularly surprised by his words until he mentioned visiting Malinda. My emotions were stirred, "Why are you visiting her when you've broken up? Haven't you hurt Malinda enough, Louis?"

I didn't particularly like Malinda. I was just commenting on Louis's past actions which were, frankly, appalling.

To my surprise, Louis just chuckled, revealing no remorse. "I had no choice. I wanted to break up but she kept clinging on. You must've figured it out by now, the one I truly fancied was Bonnie."

Now that Neil was out of the picture, Louis was showing his true colors, unabashedly.

What a peculiar man Neil was. His friends had this knack for cruelty. Birds of a feather, I suppose.

"So, what's the point of visiting her now?" I countered.

Malinda had helped me in the end. I had convinced her to stay back in her hometown. If Louis was going to cause her trouble, I felt somewhat responsible.

Louis's voice suddenly turned venomous. "Haven't her wrongdoings piled high enough? How can I swallow this injustice if I don't confront her?"

"You're referring to her helping me, aren't you?" I felt a sense of impending danger, wondering if Louis had come to Eldoria to seek revenge. After all, I was the reason Bonnie was exposed and now serving a life sentence.

"No, I understand why you did what you did. I am reasonable. But Malinda shouldn't have done what she did. She claimed to love me and she was Bonnie's friend. She shouldn't have betrayed us," Louis's logic was astounding.

No wonder he fancied Bonnie. Their worldviews were equally twisted.

But hadn't he and Bonnie betrayed Malinda first?

I was too tired to listen to Louis any longer. I was about to hang up and warn Malinda, leaving the rest of the situation to sort itself out.

But as if sensing my intentions, Louis quickly said, "Ms. Finch, don't hang up. If I can find your contact info, I can find your home too."

His words sent chills down my spine. My kids, Serena and Brandon, were at home. If that madman Louis came looking, they could be in danger.

"Where do you want to meet? Let's settle everything once and for all," I reluctantly agreed.

"I'll send you an address. How about 9 PM?" Louis sounded pleased.

"Whatever," I replied, hanging up.

"Really? I'll come with you," he offered after a few seconds.

"No need, I'll go alone. He probably wants to meet just me. If you come, it might jeopardize our negotiation," I shook my head. Although it would be risky for me, I was more worried about my family's safety.

But Russel insisted. He got into the passenger seat as I was about to drive off, leaving me puzzled. "What are you doing?"

"Do you really think I can stand by knowing you're in danger?" Russel looked at me, his eyes gleaming.

"I know you're worried about me, but I'm just as concerned that Louis might not take too kindly to you tagging along." A cloud of worry hung over my face. Ever since the kids came into the picture, I've had twice the number of vulnerabilities. It's not like I can just uproot and move, can I?

If Louis is indeed after me, with his eccentric personality, he'd probably track me down no matter where I'd relocate to.

Neil and Russel, cunning as they may be, at least had some semblance of moral compass and logic that wasn't warped like Louis's.

"I won't be directly in his line of sight, just around your vicinity. You can call on me anytime," Russel's voice was like a soothing balm, giving me a sense of ease.

With my parents not here, he seems to be the only one I can turn to for advice.