Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 70

“Mom, these medical reports can be forged. Don’t trust her too easily,” I said, quickly taking away the report.

Mom just nodded blankly, tried to get up to leave, but the next second she suddenly passed out.

“Mom!”

After rushing Mom to the hospital, she was whisked into the ER. After the check–up, the doctor said she had arrhythmia. She must have been seriously rattled by Geneva back at the cafe.

But Mom’s condition was not too bad, a few days in the hospital, then some good rest and care should do the trick. Sitting in the single room, watching mom already deep in sleep, my mood was in the pits. In my past life, she endured all this on her own, never letting me in on her pain. I was not s good daughter, but luckily, life had given me a second chance to make it right.

I dozed off without even realizing it, only to be woken up by a grumbling voice from next door, some guy griping. “Ah, I don’t need to be hospitalized or surgery! You guys are just fussing over nothing, it is a waste of money.”

The voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t be bothered to get up and check, I just rolled over and went back to sleep.

“Mom, I’ll go grab some breakfast for you.” The next morning, after I freshened up, I told Mom and then set off to grab something to eat.

As I passed the room next door, I saw a few familiar faces. Bonnie and Ada were hovering around the bed where Dean was lying, the family caught up in conversation.

“Madam!” Ada spotted me and came over joyfully, “What brings you here? Feeling unwell?”

“Ada, you’re not working for me anymore, no need to call me Madam, just call me Irene.” I said with a smile, then turned to Bonnie.

Bonnie also broke into a smile, walking over saying, “Irene, never thought I’d bump into you here. Mom told me she used to work for you, I was so surprised!”

I smiled even more warmly, “Yes, indeed, it’s a small world, isn’t it? What happened to your dad?”

Dean obviously recognized me, the woman his brother had knocked out, so he quickly averted his gaze, looking rather awkward.

“He has a heart condition, needs surgery.” Bonnie glanced back at her father and said.

“Is it serious?” I asked, somewhat surprised, “Do you need any help?”

Ada replied, “Irene, you’re such a kind–hearted woman, thanks for the offer, Bonnie has a friend helping out. We’re fine.”

I sneered inwardly, so that was why Neil rushed back in the middle of the night the other day, huh?

Bonnie looked at me, her face still adorned with a warm smile, but her eyes no longer held that innocence of before. She probably saw me as a rival, but I couldn’t care less, because I was planning to wait for Neil to initiate the divorce anyway.

“Alright, Ada, I need to go get breakfast for my mom, she’s got a bit of a heart issue and is staying here.” I said my goodbyes politely, waved at Ada and left.

As I reached the elevator, I waited expressionlessly for the doors to open, but I didn’t expect to bump into Russel. He was in his white coat, with a medical record in hand, wearing his usual gold–rimmed

glasses, still as aloof as ever.

Seeing me, he frowned, “What are you doing here?”

“My mom’s sick.” I replied, equally surprised, “Why are you back?”

“I ended my exchange program early.” Russel stepped out of the elevator, standing before me, “How’s your mom?”

I told him about mom’s heart issue, he nodded, “Mm, she needs to rest well, keeping her emotions in check is crucial.”

“I know, alright then, Dr. Russel, off you go.” I instinctively glanced at Dean’s room.

I wasn’t sure when Russel started having feelings for Bonnie. He’d interacted with her a few times, must have developed feelings, right? Now with Dean’s surgery, which fell under his jurisdiction, they’d definitely have more contact, maybe something would blossom.

But I felt a bit guilty. Russel and I didn’t have any grudges, why did I always want to see him tangled up in love? Actually, I just wanted to give Neil a hard time.

When I returned with breakfast, I passed Dean’s room again, to my surprise, Russel was still there, chatting with a few people. He saw me by the door and glanced over.

I hurried away.

After mom finished her breakfast, dad arrived. Upon hearing that mom fainted and was hospitalized because of anger, he was filled with guilt. The moment he stepped into the room, he slapped himself twice, swearing that nothing had happened between him and Geneva, that it was all a setup.

1 quietly slipped out of the room; it was better for them to sort out their marital issues alone.

Once I got to the stairwell, I sent Neil a message: My mom’s hospitalized. From NôvelDrama.Org.

He replied quickly. Send me the address.

I sighed. Neil was really busy, arranging surgery and financial support for his girlfriend’s dad, while also finding time to visit my mom in the hospital. And their rooms were right next to each other.

“What are you doing here?” Russel’s voice came from behind, I turned around, he was standing at the entrance of the stairwell.

“Nothing, just getting some fresh air.” I replied.

“Did you know Dean’s surgery will cost about forty thousand dollars?” He asked.

Why would I know? He’s not my dad. I retorted, “No, why should I care?”

Russel actually chuckled, he descended a few steps, leaning on the railing, facing me, “Joint property between a husband and wife, half of it’s yours.”

He meant that Neil spent the money.

This was peanuts. Neil was willing to give his all for this little girlfriend of his, snf Russel would experience this insanity firsthand in the future.

I countered, “So you’re saying I should go ask Bonnie for the money?”

“That’s one way.” Russel nodded.

“What are you thinking!” I scolded him, then sat on the steps, muttering, “Didn’t the chemical factory just finish its renovation? Neil still needs to shell out?”

The compensation Dean received for the demolition of his residential house was enough for several surgeries.

Russel informed me, “That money was used to buy a new house, it’s all gone now.”

So it turned out Russel wasn’t discussing the medical situation, but digging up some dirt. I was really touched and gave him a grateful smile, “Thanks a ton for the scoop.”

With Neil and Bonnie’s drama on the back burner, my main concern now was Geneva. I asked Russel to help me find a caregiver for my mom while I figure out how to handle Geneva.

Russel didn’t turn me down, just asked me to return his cat when I get a chance.

After leaving the hospital, I went to see my friend Stella. She was definitely got more on the ball than I do. When I told her about my dad, Stella’s face turned serious, “That woman wants to marry your dad and become your stepmom.”

“I thought she was just after his money, but then she whipped out a pregnancy test.” I sighed, “Now I need to find a way to get that test from her and make sure if she’s really pregnant.”