Chapter 96
I snorted in response and didn’t answer.
Neil took a look around my apartment and said, “Well, you’ve got everything set up here. You’re really standing your ground, huh?”
He took off his jacket and tossed it on a chair, sitting across from me.
“So what do you want to talk about? Speak up I asked.
“What are your thoughts? Neil countered. “My family won’t agree to us divorcing
I knew the Whitmores wouldn’t be okay with it, but Neil’s attitude shouldn’t be like this. He had always been a stubborn mufe, not giving a damn about what others thought and always finding a way around problems.
I remember his almost insane antics during my past life. Of course, I was pretty crazy too, and so was Russel. All of us revolved around Bonnie.
But why do I feel like he doesn’t seem to like Bonnie as much as he did in my past life? And Russel too, I get the same vibe from him.
“Neil, aren’t you willing to stand up to your family for Bonnie?” Hooked him in the eyes. “Are you just gonna let her be the other woman forever?”
“She’s not the other woman” Neil frowned, clearly not pleased with my choice of words.
“Then what is she?” I was utterly baffled. “Before we’re divorced, if she’s not the other woman, then what is she? An angel?”
Neil’s face darkened. He must have seen the news and online comments, most of which were moral, and accused Bonnie of meddling in others” relationships, calling her shameless. Neil’s previous women, all involved in scandals, had been criticized by netizens before, but they were mostly actresses and were immune to gossip and able to withstand it.
Bonnie was different. It was her first time being exposed online. No wonder she attempted suicide, on the one hand, she might have wanted to prove something to me, but on the other hand, she probably couldn’t take the abuse.
“Neil, I’ve always liked your character. You’re cool and decisive, and you don’t take bullshit. Why are you so hesitant now? If you were more decisive, everything would be resolved. Your parents only have you as their son. Even if they object to you and Bonnie, as long as you persist, they will give in. Don’t they want a grandchild? Make an effort to get Bonnie pregnant, and I guarantee they’ll accept her. As for my parents, I’ll persuade them. My dad won’t let personal matters affect your project approvals before he retires Don’t worry.”
I spoke sincerely, hoping for a dignified end to our ten–year relationship. If Neil agreed, even though I had withdrawn the papers, we could still divorce amicably
But Neil’s expression was becoming more ominous, as if a storm was brewing. I hadn’t finished when he shouted, “Enough!”
I swallowed the rest of my words.
He asked me, “Are you sure you want to divorce? Can you really let go of your ten–year love for me?”
“Yep, I’m sure. I can do it.” I nodded without thinking. You couldn’t overthink these things, the more you do, the more unwilling you become.
Neil suddenly stood up. Before I could react, he strode over to me, pulled me up and kissed me fiercely with no gentleness at all.
My heart rhythm, which had been calm, was thrown off. I pushed hard against Neil’s chest, but it was like a bug trying to shake a tree. How did our divorce talk turn into this? Annoyed, I bit down on his invading tongue when he forced it into my mouth. He finally let go of me and had a trace of blood on the corner of his mouth.
“You bit me?” He wiped the corner of his mouth, then slightly stuck out his tongue and touched it with his finger, which immediately turned redder.
I still had a faint taste of blood in my mouth, but I didn’t care. I just dabbed it casually and said, “Who asked you to overstep?*
“Am I the one overstepping, or are you?” Neil was furious. “You set off fireworks with Russel on the hospital rooftop, climbed the Obsidian Spire with Oscar, and went to an open–air concert with Simmons; isn’t that overstepping?”
I was taken aback. How did he know all this?
Neil’s tone was unmistakable. He was jealous! But I remembered him saying he didn’t like me, and that I was imposing my feelings on him.
“Neil, are you jealous?” I asked again.
He glared at me. This time, he didn’t deny it but sarcastically admitted, “Yeah, I’m jealous. Can you believe I’m actually jealous because of you and other men? Isn’t that hilarious?
I was blown away For the first time in ten years, he was jealous because of me.
“I originally wanted you to live as a forgotten wife forever, to really torture you and make you regret marrying me. But damn it, I think I’m starting to like you. Otherwise, I could just divorce you and be with Bonnie” Neil said, as if he couldn’t care less.
Tears welled up in my eyes, not because I was touched and wanted to repeat past mistakes, but because my ten years of love had finally received a response. It was like a deep obsession that suddenly unraveled just as I was about to let go.
We were silent for a while before I said, “Neil, you should go. I need to think about what I really want, and you should think about what you really want too.” “Okay.” He went over to the chair, picked up his jacket, glanced back at her, and left.
After Neil left, I had a good cry, letting out all my emotions, until my dad called, “Rena, come home for lunch tomorrow. Uncle Harold is back
I tried not to sound like I had been crying, “Okay”
Harold was usually overseas, running his company that mainly targeted the international market, and only came back once at the end of the year.
“Rena looks even prettier. Did she gain some weight? She looks better with a bit of weight.” Harold complimented me when he saw me.
Harold, you’re back!” I ran over and gave them a hug when I saw Harold’s family.
Sarah smiled and said, “Indeed, she’s even more beautiful Such a beauty!”
Blushing, I said, “Not much different from before; I’m always beautiful”
Yes, always a beauty!” Sarah agreed.
“Huh, why didn’t Orlando Finch come back this year?” I asked curiously.
Harold answered. He set up a branch this year, and it’s pretty busy at the company at year end, so he didn’t come back.”
My Dad butted in, “Isn’t Molly interning at the company? She’s fresh outta college, ain’t she? She seems just as capable as Orlando. Unlike my daft daughter here, all she cares about is playing the cello and dating. And now.
Harold, aware of Neil’s situation, chimed in with a serious tone, Rena, you’ve really gotta think about your future Your folks are getting on in years, and Neil’s heart ain’t with you You’ve gotta learn to run a business, our family business. We can’t let Neil get his hands on it!”
My parents exchanged glances without uttering a word, but I knew they felt the same. Neil’s affair with Bonnie had pretty much squashed any hope they had left for him
