Chapter 94
There was just too much news for me to appreciate one by one I just skimmed through the content and read some comments.
“Can this gul stop embarrassing us female college students? Does she think she’s Cinderella just because she thinks she’s his lover?”
“She’s actually pretty attractive. If she didn’t go after married men, she could totally find a good single man
f a good looking, rich, and affectionate man pursued me, I might be tempted too. After all, women always have a bit of a thing for their heroes, right? (Hey don’t get me wrong! My parents are still alive, and I have a boyfriend, but we’re not married, and he hasn’t cheated. I’m just talking about the dark side of human nature)”
“Who is Neil’s wife? Why is she always silent when Neil cheats? Did she learn the art of endurance in Japan?”
There were those who condemned Bonnie and those who understood her, even some who defended her. And then there were her so–called ‘friends, who claimed to know everything about Neil and me and then spilled secrets that even I don’t know about.
My head was spinning, and, in the end, I just had to close the web page
I didn’t expect this matter to get so much attention. It was just lukewarm a few days ago, but now my dad had already seen it. It was trending, so probably all my close friends and family knew about it.
It was mainly because Bonnie attempted suicide last night, and Neil jumped in to save her. That was what triggered the whole thing.
Sure enough, the chat groups with my friends quickly heated up.
Stella sent a message. “OMG! Neil is such a douche! Who jumps into the sea to save their mistress? He’s really something!”
Stella continued. “Rena, you’ve gotta go through with the divorce this time! What’s the point of being with a man like that?
Barbara replied. “You guys are getting a divorce? How come I didn’t know about it?”
Alicia also chimed in. “Good for you, we can’t let ourselves be deceived,”
Barbara then told them about her suspicions. “I find it strange. Who would be lucky enough to capture Neil saving Bonnie? I’m suspicious; could this be a drama directed by Bonnie herself?
Stella had the same idea in mind. “Exactly! Neil’s mom just went to see Bonnie a few days ago, and now she’s trying to show how deeply Neil is in love with her. He’s even risking his life!”
I watched their discussion but didn’t know what to say, so I just silently put down my phone.
After a while, Stella called, “Rena, you’re not going to the hospital, are you?”
“No.” I replied.
“Good, you shouldn’t go. I heard Neil is in the hospital with Bonnie, being all caring and stuff, so don’t go and upset yourself. Just divorce him and start fresh” Stella said angrily
“Where did you hear this? Did Russel tell you?” I asked.
“No, just heard it from someone.” Stella’s voice was a bit unnatural, then she continued loudly, “Anyway, if you keep torturing yourself like this, I’ll lose all respect for you!”
I’ve been too passive and submissive over the years, so it was natural that Stella and the others were upset. I should be more like Barbara, who made a decision instantly in the situation with Norman.
I should learn from her!
“Okay, I will take more care of myself” I firmly answered.
Stella chatted with me for a while before hanging up.
I’ve moved out of Sterling Estates a few days ago, and Neil probably didn’t know. He probably didn’t know that I had filed for divorce either.
He probably had no clue that I had moved to a new apartment as well.
Neil was busy trying to win Bonnie back, so it was not worth his time to come find me now.
In the evening, I felt so lonely in the apartment that my mind went into chaos, so I decided to go for a drive.
On the road, I got a call from Simmons; Stella must have given him my number.
“What are you up to?” He asked in a gentle tone.
“I’m just driving around, sightseeing” I answered aimlessly, looking at the night scenes around me.
Simmons must have seen the news by now, but he didn’t ask directly; instead, he subtly asked, “Why are you driving around alone? Are you feeling down?”
I was feeling terrible Everything seemed to be helping me end things with Neil and start a new life, but I was still feeling irritable.
“Yeah” I replied softly
“Do you want to go to an open–air concert? Simmons asked, “There’s one at Starlight Plaza; we can still make it if we leave now.”
I had nothing better to do, so I agreed immediately
Half an hour later, I met up with Simmons at Starlight Plaza. It was an open–air concert. Despite the cold wind, the crowd was enthusiastic. Under the light fountain, young performers from a school band were putting on a show.
Most of the audience were young people who were discussing the band members. They were from Rosemont College.
I stared at the stage and recognized a girl. I saw her once when I accompanied Bonnie to a bridal shop.
She seemed to have noticed me too, and was displaying hostility for some reason, even using her cello as a tool to vent, playing it with such force that it displeased the conductor.
Unconsciously, Simmons and I stood in the cold for a long time until the concert ended. I checked my phone and saw two missed calls from Neil
Tm going to make a call.” I told Simmons, then walked aside to call Neil back.
Neil picked up the phone quickly but didn’t say anything
I asked, “Why did you call me?”
There were a few seconds of silence on the other end, then I heard Bonnie’s voice, “Irene, it’s me.”
I didn’t respond
“Neil has been taking care of me these past few days. Can you tell him to go home? He won’t listen to me. I know it’s not right, I’m afraid of being misunderstood” Bonnie spoke softly
“If you’re afraid of being misunderstood, you shouldn’t do things that can be easily misunderstood, like attempting suicide, telling Neil and me, and letting people take photos secretly, Then there won’t be any misunderstandings, right?” I retorted.
Bonnie was left speechless
I nonchalantly continued, “If you’re trying to ruffle my feathers by showing off Neil’s attention to you, then you’re barking up the wrong tree, honey. I’ve already filed for divorce, and he’ll probably get the notice tomorrow or the day after. Instead of trying to piss me off, you should be worrying about how to get his family to accept you”
I hung up after saying that
In my previous life, Bonnie’s relationship with Neil wasn’t as publicly exposed as it was now. Neil shielded her pretty well. In the eyes of my in–laws, she was just an innocent little girl being pursued by Neil, so they didn’t have much trouble accepting her later on.
But the situation was different now. My relationship with my mother–in–law was better than it was in my past life, and Bonnie had already shown some pretty annoying behaviors early on.
Therefore, if she wanted to get into the Whitmore family, the difficulty level had just gone from easy to hard.
