Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 461

I sighed in relief. As long as Serena and Brandon weren't kicking up a fuss for me, it would be a piece of cake to handle the situation.

A while after hanging up the phone, Russel walked back into the hospital room. Dressed in a white coat with glasses and a mask on, his cool, refined eyes were the only features visible. It was hard to reconcile this calm demeanor with the ferocity he displayed towards Louis the night prior.

Both he and Neil were blessed with handsome features, and the air of gentlemen seemed to come naturally to them. When they were calm and composed, it was impossible to imagine them resorting to violence.

"I'm sorry I've been so busy lately. I should have taken better care of you. You've become so weak," Russel said, sitting at the edge of my bed, a note of self-reproach in his voice.

"It's not your fault, Russel. I've always been frail. With Yara recently staying with us, Norah and I probably overexerted ourselves a bit. We'll be fine after some rest," I found myself consoling Russel instead.

Neil was right. Now that everyone assumed we were together, as a man, Russel felt obliged to take care of me and protect me. He assured me that he would do everything in his power to fulfill this role. His eyes twinkled behind his glasses, reminiscent of the captivating stars in the night sky.

I felt a bit awkward because Russel and I weren't actually a couple. It was a misunderstanding on others' part. He didn't have to take care of me because of this baseless title.

Even though he was willing to do so, the more he did for me, the more inappropriate it felt. Yet, I couldn't get Russel to back down at that moment.

"Russel, you..." I hesitated, then continued, "can you avoid conflicts with Neil in the future? Especially, can you avoid getting physical?"

Russel's eyes narrowed behind his glasses, a hint of jealousy in his voice. "It was Neil who started it. Are you still taking his side?"

I wasn't taking Neil's side. Russel was the only one here, and I couldn't just call Neil to have this conversation. It would make me look like a crazy person.

"No, I just don't want to see you two like this anymore. I know Neil started it, and I'm not blaming you. If he tries to pick a fight with you in the future, can you just ignore him?" I explained.

A smile finally broke out on Russel's face. "So, you're worried that I might get hurt?"

Of course, I was worried. I didn't want anyone to get hurt because of me, especially not Russel and Neil. They used to be such good friends.

I nodded in agreement, and Russel's smile deepened. "Every bit of your concern for me, every time you worry about me, it's like finding an oasis in the desert," he said.

"Is it really that dramatic?" I asked, unable to suppress a laugh.

"Yes, it is. You just don't understand how I feel," Russel responded. His hand twitched as if wanting to hold mine, but he stopped himself. In this regard, he always respected me.

I wasn't sure how to feel. I was well aware of Russel's feelings for me, and I've tried to accept them, but it always ended in failure.

I wasn't sure what would happen between us if things continued down this path.

We sat in silence until Russel's phone rang. It was a nurse from his department, and he had to leave for some urgent matter. Before he left, he told me to rest and said he would check on Serena and Brandon during lunch and in the evening. He asked me to stay in the hospital for a couple of days before he would arrange for my discharge.