Chapter 164
The “man” Stella referred to, was undoubtedly Neil.
If Neil’s not around, I could swing by Stella’s two kids were already a year and a half old, and I hadn’t formally met them yet.
As their unrelated but close as kin relative, I should be blamed.
“Sure thing“” I agreed instantly
Tm living at Golden Meadows Villas now, make sure you don’t show up at the wrong place,” Stella explained in detail, I’ll pick you up tomorrow, that’s it!”
Just then, the sound of a child crying came over the line. Stella shouted, “Mitch, look after your kid, and then hung up
Bright and early the next day, Stella arrived as promised, waiting outside my house in her car.
I said goodbye to my mom and headed out
Stella had been doing pretty well these past two years. She looked healthy, a bit plumper than before but definitely healthier.
A happy marriage is a wellspring of joy, it can make a person glow with happiness from the inside out.
Stella shot me a glare and ignored me. Once I was in the car, she drove off towards Golden Meadows Villas. I knew she was pissed because I came back and didn’t tell her in advance
“Alright, Stella. Don’t be mad, I’ll take you shopping for handbags tomorrow, I tried to cheer her up from the passenger seat.
“Trene, did you make new friends abroad and forget about us? Stella asked.
I quickly denied it, “No, I haven’t even got a new boyfriend, let alone new friends.”
She turned to look at me, seeming a bit surprised, “Really? All those foreign hunks and you didn’t meet any? Not even a brief fling?”
What brief fling? Traveling has its dangers, I wouldn’t just dive in headfirst. What if I got myself into a mess?
We chatted and drove, and before we knew it, we were at Stella’s house
Their beautiful home was where she and Mitch, along with their two kids, lived a harmonious life.
Mitch really had changed. He used to celebrate his birthday by inviting a bunch of friends out, but these past two years, he’d spent it quietly at home with just a few close friends
Trene?” Mitch was surprised to see me, “Oh my god, when did you come back? Does Neil know?”
He quickly realized he asked the wrong question.
“I came back yesterday, and I didn’t tell anyone,” I replied with a smile.
“Oh, I’m so glad you’re back. I’m really happy you could come for my birthday.” Mitch said with a touch of embarrassment.
“Mama, Papa!”
“Mama, Papa!”
The voices of the two kids rang out. They ran towards Stella and Mitch, one after the other.
The two one–and–a–half–year–olds just learning to walk, were a bit wobbly when they ran. One was in a pink princess dress and the other in blue overalls, looking absolutely adorable.
Stella and Mitch each picked up a kid and quickly introduced me, “Leila, Quincy, this is Rena. Say hi!”
Leila and Quincy curiously stared at me and obediently said. “Hello, Rena!”
I was overjoyed to meet them and quickly pulled out two gifts I had prepared and gave one to each of them.
After a while, Cooper arrived. He froze when he saw me and awkwardly avoided my gaze
Mitch went up to him and whispered something in his ear, and he nodded.
I asked Mitch not to tell Neil I was back. He’d find out sooner or later, but I didn’t want anyone going out of their way to tell him.
Besides Cooper, Barbara and Silas also hurried over
Alicia had to work, so she sent money to Leila and Quincy in the group chat and asked Stella to accept it for them.
Then Mitch’s four or five close friends arrived. To my surprise, Russel didn’t come.
I asked Stella about it, and she told me something.
For some reason, Neil and Russel’s relationship had become strained in these two years. The four who were once very close hadn’t gathered together in a long time
“I suspect it’s because of you that their relationship is strained, Stella whispered, “Don’t say I’m overthinking. If Russel doesn’t like you, I’ll eat my hat
I was taken aback and felt a little heavy–hearted
The last thing I wanted was for Neil and Russel to fall out. A friendship of twenty or thirty years is too precious. It would be a pity if it just broke off like
that.
“Today, they were both afraid of bumping into each other, so they made excuses and didn’t come. Mitch didn’t want to invite just one of them, so he let it go, Stella continued to explain
“Right, 1.hope they make up in the future,” I nodded.
Who knows, Rena, you might be the cause of their continued discord!” Stella started to babble again.
I pinched her cheek, and Barbara walked over with Lella in her arms, “What are you guys talking about?”
Stella unabashedly repeated the story, and Barbara nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I also think it’s because of Rena. This is the legendary love triangle!”
My head hurt, and I just hoped they would stop talking nonsense.
Just then, Quincy ran over and reached out for a hug. “Rena, hug me.”
I quickly picked up the little guy and gave him a few kisses. Hearing his giggles, I felt both happy and a bit sad.
Would I ever have a child of my own in this lifetime? Would I have the chance to hold my own child in my arms?
It might be hard, but I’d accepted the reality. When the time came, I would either treat Stella’s kids as my own or adopt a child.
I believed there would be a child out there waiting for me to be their mom, whether they’re my biological child or not.
As the three of us played with the children, Mitch hurriedly ran outside. I walked to the door holding Quincy and looked out through the glass.
Neil appeared in my field of vision. His attire hadn’t changed and was as simple and mature as before.
He was wearing a black shirt and suit pants. His hair looked very handsome under the sunlight.
He was holding a cigarette in one hand and handed Mitch a gift box with the other, smiling as he said something.
Then, he suddenly shifted his gaze to the door.
I immediately lifted up the kid in my hands, as if playing with him, using the kid’s body to block my face.
Before long, Mitch was back..
The moment he opened the door and saw me, he started explaining. “Irene, I had no idea Neil would just show up. He just came to give me my birthday gift!”
“It’s fine,” I said, putting the kid down and catching a glimpse of Neil’s car pulling away.
“He’s really nice to you, what did he give you?” Stella walked over and asked.
A Richard Lange watch, worth a pretty penny.
Mitch happily tried on the watch, “Neil is really too good to me, I only casually mentioned that this watch was nice and he remembered!”
True enough, Neil was always nice to those he deemed important.
Neil’s appearance was a mere trifle.
