Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 92

I gently patted Stella's head, "Cut the crap, Stella. I've told you before that I’m not into your brother."

Stella rubbed her head, arguing back in a huff, "How can you be so sure you don't like him? Trust me; my brother is a catch. If you guys get together and he dares treat you badly or looks at another girl, I swear I'll beat him up myself!"

Simmons was indeed a catch, be it his family background, looks, or character, he's top-notch.

If only love could be forced, I'd give it a shot with him.

But I simply can't, and I don't dare to try. If we were to give it a shot and then find out we're not a match, we'd have to break up, and that could affect my relationship with Stella.

After all, that was her brother. Unless I'm 100% certain, I don't want to give it a try.

"Stella, stop meddling in my affairs. I've been married before, but you still don't have a boyfriend. You should focus more on your own future," I swiftly changed the subject. "What type of guy do you like? How about a stable civil servant? I can ask my dad to keep an eye out for you."

As soon as we started talking about her future, Stella seemed a bit down. Her eyes started to dart around, "Forget it. I just want to live freely. Marriage would only tie me down."

Suddenly, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID, looking a bit guilty. She scurried off to answer the call and then came back to tell me, "I've got plans for drinks. Gotta run!"

"Don't drink too much," I warned helplessly.

"I know!" Stella grabbed her bag and left.

After she left, I went upstairs to continue packing. Before my court appearance, I wanted to move out of Sterling Estates to show my determination.

I had so many clothes and accessories that they filled five suitcases. I also packed my cello and some sheet music.

While sorting through the sheet music, I opened an old wooden box. Inside was a song I had composed myself, filled with hidden feelings for Neil. I once eagerly wanted to play it for him, but he refused.

The box also held a transparent glass bottle filled with colorful paper stars that I had stayed up late to fold for Neil. On each paper, I had written Neil's name.

At the bottom of the box was a preserved rose, the only flower Neil ever gave me. We weren't married then, and my parents had invited him to my birthday party. He didn't prepare any gifts. He just plucked a decorative rose from the cake and gave it to me.

It was a gift without sincerity, but I had treasured it all these years.

I closed the box and put it back, then continued packing. Among the items I found were an unfinished scarf, a half-drawn necklace design, and a faded crystal bracelet...

My naive crush and my deep feelings now were the same. Those innocent emotions showed that I once tried hard to pursue him.

Sighing, I put these items back where I found them, not intending to take them with me.

After slowly sorting everything out, the next morning, I had the maid help me move the suitcases to the car and drove to another property under my name. It was a single apartment that I had bought before marriage. I lived there for a while during college but hadn't stayed there for a long time.

All the furniture and appliances in the apartment were covered with dust cloths, but the place still smelled dusty. I didn't clean it myself. Instead, I hired a cleaning company to do it.