Chapter 103
Nell took me straight back to Sterling Estates. He gave all the house staff time off for the holiday, so not a soul was left at home
I was puzzled, “Couldn’t you keep at least one person around? Pay them a little extra to at least help with cleaning and cooking”
“Why keep them around when no one is home?” Neil motioned for me to sit on the sofa. He knelt down, wanting to help me take off my shoe to check on my sprained foot
I felt uncomfortable with him being so caring, so I withdrew my foot, “Just bring me the first aid kit.”
Neil casually replied, “I’ve seen your whole body. What’s the harm in checking your foot?”
I stayed silent for a few seconds before retorting, “It’s not about being shy. I just don’t need you to be so nice to me”
“Why?” Neil looked up, staring at me.
I was the one who should be bewildered, ‘Neil, you just took Bonnie home, and then you came back to find me. Don’t you think that’s ridiculous?”
Last night, he should have still been in Springvale. He could have only come back to Rosemont this morning at the earliest. As soon as he got back, he found Bonnie and took her home.
Every New Year’s Day in the past, he would only come back to Rosemont at my urging.
It was clear who took precedence in his heart.
Neil frowned, “I’ve already said that I’ll deal with my relationship with Bonnie.”
“How? Find a nice place to hide her, or completely cut ties and never contact her again?” I pressed.
Neil silently looked at me.
I knew it. He hadn’t figured it out yet. Bonnie was too special to him, but I was also starting to become different to him. He still didn’t know who his heart. belonged to.
“Forget it, talking to you is too irritating.” I stood up to go get the first aid kit.
Neil picked me up and returned me to the sofa, then silently went to fetch the first aid kit. He handed it to me after he opened it.
I took off my shoe and sock, and noticed that my left ankle was already swollen. I applied some ointment and then attached a gauze pad
Neil watched me, but didn’t attempt to help again.
“You should take me to Stella’s.” I told Neil after I put my shoes back on.
“No.” Neil’s refusal was curt.
“You have to!” I insisted, “If it weren’t for your sudden appearance, how would I get hurt? I should have been at her place a long time ago. You need to take responsibility!
Neil scoffed, “I need to be responsible for sending you to another man’s house?”
I turned red in the face with anger, “It’s also my good friend’s house. Neil, aren’t you being a bit extreme with your jealousy?”
“Simmons chased after you before, didn’t he?” Neil didn’t care about my words and instead said, “Now that he knows we’re getting a divorce, he’s come back to try and take advantage”
“So what? You’re allowed to have suitors, but I’m not?” I huffed and then took out my phone to call Stella
If Neil wouldn’t take me, then I’d have Stella come get me. I’d rather endure Simmons‘ pursuit than be alone with Neil..
I called her and asked, “Stella, are you free? Can you come pick me up from Sterling Estates?”
“No problem!” Stella excitedly agreed
After hanging up, Neil looked even more upset, ‘Is it really that unbearable to be with me?”
I glanced around, “Yes. It reminds me of a few years ago, when I was waiting for you all alone here. On New Year’s Day, everyone else was celebrating with their families, while I was alone at home waiting for you. Do you think I was miserable then?”
Neil looked shocked for a moment, then after a few seconds of silence, he said, “I never asked you to wait for me at home.”
“But you knew I would wait!” I exclaimed, somewhat heatedly. “Don’t you know how much I loved you? Are you punishing me with my own feelings?”
“I had no idea about Karina. I always thought you had never truly loved anyone, so like a fool, I was eager to marry you, thinking time would make you fall
in love with me. If I had known what happened on our wedding day. I would have chosen to give up.”
After saying all this, I realized my eyes were getting moist and my voice was filled with sorrow.
I knew this wasn’t how I should be feeling. It made me look weak.
So I stood up. Even though I couldn’t put a lot of weight on my left foot, I tried to maintain a haughty demeanor, “Neil, for the past five years, I’ve been your emotional punching bag, but I’ve been taking it in stride. I thought this was my punishment for falling in love with you. But you should be good to Bonnie from now on. No more indecision”
He fell into a lengthy silence until Stella’s car honked outside.
When Stella arrived, she sent me a text, “Im here Come out.”
I limped out with my phone, and Neil didn’t stop me
“Is Nell home?” Stella asked as she saw the half–open front door after I got in the car.
Yes. I was freezing I didn’t put on Neil’s coat, so I was dressed lightly
“That jerk!” Stella cursed after I told her that Neil had taken me away
We quickly arrived at Stella’s place. Luckily, Stella’s parents were visiting friends, and Iva Wallace, her sister, was already married and not at home It was just me, Stella, and Simmons.
Upon seeing me, Simmons immediately rushed over to help. “Did you sprain your foot badly? Did you put any medicine on it? Do we need to go to the hospital?”
It’s not that serious, it’s just a bit swollen.” I sat on the sofa. Stella brought over a small cake to entertain me.
I’m sorry I didn’t mean to “Simmons looked guilty.
“We didnt see who pushed me, how did it become your fault? Sirnmons, you don’t need to be so tense. My leg isn’t broken.‘ I joked.
Stella laughed. “His intentions are so obvious!”
I shot her a glare, but she pretended not to notice.
Simmons was used to his sister’s personality, and he even enjoyed it. So, he just laughed and asked, “What do you guys want to eat? I’ll make lunch.”
It was already two in the afternoon, and we still hadn’t had lunch.
Stella had the nerve to order two dishes without asking me. I just said, “Whatever.”
Then Stella started blabbing again, “Oh, don’t worry! He knows what you like. I guarantee everything he makes is your favorite!”
Simmons was in the kitchen by now, so he probably didn’t hear a word of this. I was so irritated that I put a hand over Stella’s mouth, “Don’t push me; I might get mad!”
*Mmm mmm mmm…” Stella was trying to say something.
After I let her go, she said, “Are you trying to suffocate your future sister–in–law?!”
