Chapter 99
“I ain’t going over there this year, why don’t you take Bonnie instead?” I casually tossed the opportunity over to Bonnie, with my hands tucked into my coat pockets I believed she could use this chance.
Neil’s forehead creased creating a small mountain peak, and his eyes held a complex mixture of emotions. It was not quite outright displeasure, but a kind of restrained dissatisfaction.
“We’re not getting a divorce. I’ll take care of Bonnie’s situation”
Honestly, upon hearing this, I felt like I was hallucinating. It sounded like he was choosing me over Bonnie. Wasn’t that just nuts? He was just going to ditch his dream girl like that?
“Neil, quit pulling my leg. Don’t give me empty promises. No, they can’t even be considered promises “I calmly rejected him.
I turned to go inside, but Neil grabbed my arm.
“Let me try” He pleaded for the first time.
He’d never humbled himself like this, not even when he wanted a divorce in my previous life. I felt my heart skip a beat.
Could Neil really be in love with me? But there was no way he loved me more than Bonnie. If he had to give someone up, it would be me.
I figured Neil was probably under pressure from his family and wasn’t ready to take on the world for Bonnie yet, so he wanted to keep using me to appease his family. That was the only plausible explanation I could think of..
“Don’t bother, go home. My dad hasn’t come back yet. If he sees you here when he does, it would be awkward” I maintained my rationality.
Speaking of the devil, my dad was just out dealing with some emergency. My mom was busy cooking and didn’t know Neil was here. Upon seeing Neil, my dad’s face darkened as if he had seen some ill omen. “What are you doing here?” He asked sternly.
“Hello, sir,” Neil greeted politely.
“Don’t call me that I can’t take it. You’ll have a new father–in-law soon, so go call him that my dad retorted without giving Neil any respect.
Fearing a scene, I quickly went over and took my dad’s arm. ‘Dad, Mom needs help in the kitchen. You go, I’ll handle this.”
My dad had promised not to interfere in matters between Neil and me, so he reluctantly left.
“You’ve seen it. My family has a very bad impression of you, Neil. Even if we don’t divorce right now, there won’t be a happy ending. I’ve convinced my parents not to interfere in our affairs. You should go and explain things to your family” I told Neil calmly.
Neil looked at me heavily “I don’t plan on getting a divorce. What is there to explain?”
“How much longer do you plan on wasting my time?‘ I blurted out “How can you be so cruel? Even if I agreed to marry you to please your grandfather and ease the pressure from your parents, you agreed to it too. You saw benefits in it. Why is it all my fault?”
Neil’s eyes contained a sudden surge of emotion. “Irene, do you really not know what you’ve caused me to lose?”
I looked at him uncomprehendingly. “Freedom?”
Neil scoffed. “Bullshit freedom”
#
He had a point. He was just as nonchalant after marriage, showing no restraint despite being a married man. Freedom was simply a matter of desire for him But beyond that, I really had no idea.
Just then, my phone rang. It was Faith. Despite the tension between Neil and me, Faith had always been on my side. It would be rude not to answer.
I stepped aside to take the call “Irene, are you coming over for the New Year’s Eve dinner with Neil?” Faith asked.
“Um… I probably won’t make it this year.” I hesitated before refusing
Faith sighed on the other end “Come over. I have something to tell you. Maybe you’ll understand what Neil has been up to these past few years.”
I glanced back at Neil, who was also looking at me. After loving him for ten years, I became intimately familiar with his life, personality, and preferences. What else could there be that I didn’t know? My curiosity was piqued
“Alright” I agreed. It would be good to know why Neil had been so cold to me all these years before we finally ended things.
After hanging up. I told Ne, “Let’s go. We’re going to your parents‘”
He didn’t say a word. He just turned and walked towards his car. I followed him, initially intending to sit in the front passenger seat but then deciding to sit in the back instead The front seat was Bonnie’s by right, and I had no desire to compete with her for it, even when she wasn’t around
This caused Neil’s face to darken even more, but he didn’t comment and just drove off towards Springvale.
During the ride, I texted my parents, explaining the situation. Thankfully, they understood and just asked me to return as soon as possible.
Due to the cold weather, snow, and occasional traffic jams, our journey took longer than usual. What would normally be a four–hour drive took us six hours. We missed lunch and had to wait until dinner.
“Hi, Mom “I greeted Ryan and Faith as warmly as ever
Honestly, after the Bonnie incident, I felt even closer to them. The thought of losing such wonderful in–laws to someone else after the divorce made me a
bit reluctant to let go
“Irene, you’re back” Faith greeted, pulling my hand into hers and glaring at Neil.
Neil ignored her. He just took off his coat and sat down on the couch.
Ryan snorted, turning his face away from his son to call me over. “Irene, come sit here.”
Faith and I sat down, and she asked, “How long was the drive? Did you eat on the way? I had the kitchen save some food for you. Have some now, and eat more at dinner.”
“Sure” I nodded
After the food was served, Neil and I ate a bit to stave off our hunger The atmosphere was a bit tense with Ryan and Faith watching us.
“Eat more, you’re too thin. It’s heartbreaking Faith served me some more food
“Thank you” I smiled at her warmly
Neil was scarfing down his food, not making a single peep, there was no eye contact either. After finishing, he went upstairs alone. Ryan said he had some work to deal with in the study, leaving Faith and me in the living room.
“Irene, hang on a sec.”
A few minutes later, Faith came down from upstairs holding a leather envelope. With a puzzled look on her face, she opened the envelope and pulled out a few photos, handing them to me. “Take a look at this.”
I looked over the photos, and immediately my expression changed, my mind was filled with shock. There were seven photos in total, each one hitting me with a wave of disbelief and astonishment like I’d never felt before. By the time I’d seen them all, I was completely gobsmacked.
