Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled

Chapter 462

Honestly, how much love could have possibly endured between a couple that had been apart for so many years? If it hadn’t been for their child, it’s doubtful they’d have found their way back to each other so quickly. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Leaving everything else aside, Neil had always been responsible in this regard.

“The child is just one important factor. But the emotions between Neil and me, you can’t possibly understand.” Although Karina’s face had paled a little, her tone remained steady. She gave a faint smile, “Perhaps you think that since Neil and I were together for only a few months, we couldn’t have developed deep feelings. But the depth of a relationship isn’t about time, it’s about feelings. I think you know this better than anyone, right?”

Karina looked into my eyes; her own regained their sparkle and her smile was radiant.

I had loved Neil for many years, and I’d never captured his heart. If it hadn’t been for my rebirth, I would have continued down that path of unrequited love.

So, I really did understand that love couldn’t be forced by time.

“Whether I understand or not isn’t important, what matters is that you believe the feelings between you two haven’t changed.” I had found tranquility now. Karina’s words didn’t faze me, and her attempts to provoke me by coming to me were futile.

“Yes, I understand Neil best. He may appear to be a playboy, but in reality, he’s deeply committed.” Karina nodded lightly, speaking gently of her understanding of Neil, “And he’s not the arrogant man that everyone sees; he has a soft core. Take you for example, he felt guilty about how he treated you back then.”

I said nothing, only looked at Karina with a puzzled expression. I didn’t understand what she was talking about.

I knew every word she said, but when she put them together I didn’t seem to comprehend.

Karina noticed my confusion and gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I wasn’t clear. When you were interning in college and he started dating me, he felt guilty. He knew you liked him, but love can’t be forced, so he couldn’t reciprocate your feelings.” Really? So she was talking about something that happened so long ago.

I suddenly realized that the things that had happened in my past life couldn’t touch me anymore, but the stupid things I did a long time ago could still stir up ripples in my heart.

“Wow, I’m really touched.” I gave a small, indifferent smile.

If Karina hadn’t brought it up, I wouldn’t have known this.

I had always thought that Neil was indifferent to my affections, that it was all one-sided, so he wouldn’t feel any guilt or unease. Just like what he said after we got married: everything was my own doing.

“When I learned you were pursuing Neil, a lot of people knew. I considered not competing with you, but some feelings can’t be controlled. When I found out that the Whitmore family wanted Neil to marry you, I realized how serious the issue of social status was. Fortunately, I have let go of the past.” As Karina finished, she let out a deep breath of relief.

But why was she telling me all this?

If I told people that I had died once and been reborn, I’d probably make headlines around the world and be fought over by different countries for research.

I was pleased that at this moment, I could still find some dark humor. It proved that I had freed myself from the shackles of the past and wouldn’t fall into sadness over some words.

“I’ve also let go, Karina. May I offer you a sincere piece of advice?” I kindly said to Karina.

“Hmm?” Karina seemed puzzled.

“Do you know where Bonnie went wrong?” I asked.

“She’s not me, so naturally, she would fail.” Karina’s response was light and airy, filled with a strange confidence.

Her words left me speechless. The words on the tip of my tongue retreated.

Karina certainly wasn’t ordinary. She had good qualities, but she wasn’t enough for Neil.

But her overconfidence in a man after so many years, believing that he couldn’t live without her, left me speechless.

I calmed my speechless emotions. To ensure that Karina could firmly grasp Neil, and they would both disappear from my life, I felt the need to share some tips about “winning over Neil.”

“I’ve been married to Neil for five years. I probably understand him best. If you want him to not loathe or reject you, the best way is to ignore me. Don’t always think that I’ll compete with you for him. I was the one who initiated the divorce and I have no reason to.” I genuinely shared these words with Karina, reminding her a few times. Otherwise, based on my relationship with her, I wouldn’t have even bothered to utter a single word.

After hearing my sincere advice, Karina’s expression turned a bit sarcastic. “So, what you’re saying is, you’re Neil’s off-limits zone? As long as I don’t provoke you, he’ll treat me like a treasure. But if I provoke you, he’ll take his anger out on me for your sake, right?”

Yes, exactly.

Embracing humility, I couldn’t directly admit it. Sometimes even I couldn’t understand why Neil was so contradictory, but that was the reality.

It wasn’t that Neil would favor me. He would definitely choose to favor Karina, just as he’d chosen to favor Bonnie before.

I just felt that he seemed to lose control of his emotions easily when it came to me.

“If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. If you continue to see me as a hypothetical rival, thinking that Neil and I might still have a chance, then you’re going to do some very dangerous things. Once Neil finds out, your image will be ruined. Bonnie’s fate now is what awaits you in the future.” I was always indifferent to those who didn’t heed advice, so my tone was very cold.

Bonnie had done very well in my past life, which allowed her to successfully marry into the Whitmore family.

In this life, I hoped Karina would be better than Bonnie, not losing her composure more and more. It’s not that I worried she wouldn’t be able to marry Neil, but I was afraid she would lose her cool and lash out at me, affecting my life.

I’m absolutely certain that the dangerous dive incident and the betrayal with Mitch were orchestrated by her.”

“Irene, I think you’re having trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality. Neil and I are together now. Sure, we’re not married, but our kid’s practically all grown up. Do you really think he’d value you over us?” Karina was a smart cookie, but when it came to matters of the heart, she was as clueless as they come.

Maybe it’s true what they say about love being blind.

Frankly, I didn’t care enough to elaborate further. I needed to keep my cool, take some time to relax, and get back to my kid.

So, I waved dismissively, “Believe what you wish, you can leave now.”