Chapter 101


    Chapter 101


    My phone was buzzing with a string of new messages.


    All were New Year wishes.


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    Russel Dawson, “Happy New Year”


    Oscar Morse, Trene, in the new year, may you keep getting more gorgeous and cheerful, and say


    goodbye to all your troubles!”


    Simmons Wace, “Rena, Happy New Year!”


    Bailey. “Ma am, Happy New Year. Thank you for letting me drive home. My father had some health


    issues a few days ago, luckily he got to the hospital in time”


    I first replied to Bailey “Happy New Year Don’t rush back to work I’ll be going abroad after the new year


    and might stay for about two years. During this time, you can take care of your father first, thene


    back to drive for my father Your sry won’t change”


    Then I opened my group chat with four people.


    Ste Wace was showing off her carefully retouched selfies in the group, and Barbara Sands was


    madly posting various fireworks gifs. Only Alicia Rider asionally sent messages praising Stes


    beauty or responding to Barbara’s enthusiasm


    I snapped a picture of the fireworks outside the window and posted it in the group. “Friends, a new


    year, a new beginning”


    Ste, Barbara, and Alicia were all in Rosemont, so they naturally saw the same fireworks. They each


    also took a video of the fireworks and posted it in the group, it was sort of like we were watching the


    fireworks together.


    Ste was thrilled to know that I was spending the New Year at home, “Way to gol”


    I also told them about my n to go abroad. Everyone was very reluctant to see me go, but


    considering that Neil Whitmore was refusing to divorce me, they all strongly supported my decision.


    After chatting for a while, I replied to everyone’s New Year wishes one by one and also sent a New


    Year message to my inws


    After learning about Karina Aaron, my affection for them disappeared. I feel used by them.


    Although marrying Neil was my choice, living a widow–like life for five years was not. I had been kept in


    the dark for all these years, which was ridiculous


    But they were very supportive of me now, so I still needed to treat them politely After all, I’m not


    divorced from Neil yet.


    Soon, they also replied to my message and transferred arge sum of money to me as a New Year’s


    gift. I epted it graciously


    At that moment, I also received another transfer from Neil. He also sent me a “Happy New Year” on


    WhatsApp


    This was the first time he sent me New Year wishes and gifts. In the past, it was always me who would


    send them to him.


    Was there something wrong with him? Why did it take him so long to respond to others‘ initiatives?


    I simply ignored his message, just like he had ignored me countless times before.


    My gut told me to check Facebook.


    Sure enough, I saw a recent post from Bonnie Tueley. It was a screenshot of a transfer record, but the


    sender’s name and profile picture were cropped


    out


    Bonnie wrote, “Happy New Year. I hope I can have you by my side every year.”


    I’m pretty sure the person who transferred her money was Neil. I thought I was calm enough, but when


    I saw that screenshot, I still felt a pang in my heart


    His rare kindness towards me wasn’t exclusive


    He said he would handle his rtionship with Bonnie, but on the other hand, he was showing off his


    love for her. It was very ironic. If I had agreed to give him another chance before, wouldn’t I be the fool


    now?


    Just when I was feeling upset, Bonnie sent me a message, Trene, Happy New Year. I hope you can


    find true happiness in the new year.”


    She was clearly trying to provoke me


    I replied. “Thank you. I will. I n to go abroad after the New Year. Neil doesn’t agree to divorce me, so


    we need to live separately for two years before we can divorce. You have to work hard during these


    two years.”


    Then I quickly took a screenshot of the New Year’s wishes and transfer that Neil sent me and sent


    them to her.


    I also reminded her, “Tell Neil not to contact me anymore. Also, unlike you, I don’tck money”


    I saw her typing, then stopping She was probably pissed off, trying to reply but not knowing what to


    say.


    I wasn’t in the mood to argue with her on New Year’s Day After watching the fireworks for a while, I


    went back to my room to sleep


    The next day, my mom woke me up and asked me to visit Uncle Harold. I also had an aunt, Kelley. She


    now lived in another city with her husband. Although it was a bit far, my dad took my mom and me to


    visit each of our rtives every year.


    The holidays were the best time for family bonding. I was happy to be part of it.


    “Happy New Year! As soon as I arrived at Harold’s house, I greeted him cheerfully


    “Rena, Happy New Year! Come in and have a seat!” Harold’s wife, Sarah, weed us warmly.


    The house was cozy. The ivory oak table was filled with fancy snacks and desserts. I sat on the sofa,


    munching on scones, while listening to my parents chat with Harold.


    Then someone rang the doorbell Harold went to answer it. Then I heard Simmons‘ voice, “Mr. Finch,


    Happy New Year!”


    “Simmons, Happy New Year! Come in and have a seat!” Harold was surprised but pleased


    I was stunned to see Simmons sit down across from me. He smiled at me, “Rena, Happy New Year”


    “Isn’t he Ste’s brother? We haven’t seen each other for years” my mom said after a few seconds.


    “Yes, Tm Simmons. I’ve been working abroad for the past few years; I just returned at the end ofst


    year.” Simmons answered gently. Tve worked with Mr. Finch several times abroad I heard he’s also in


    the country for New Year, so I came to wish him a Happy New Year”


    Simmons had worked with Harold? Then I remembered that they both were indeed in Cdonia


    My dad said with a smile, 1 see Simmons is really promising. I heard you’ve been very sessful


    running the overseas branch of Iva. Why did you suddenlye back?”


    This issue had me hanging my head in shame. It was all Ste’s fault!


    Simmons nced at me, then replied, “I’ve been abroad for too long, and I miss home. Plus, I’m in my


    thirties and still single, so my parents are pushing me toe back and tie the knot”


    My parents exchanged a nce. There was a silent understanding in their eyes that I didn’t want to


    see.


    Just then, my phone rang. I immediately got up to take the call on the side. It was Ste, “How’s it


    going? Has my brother arrived?”


    “Did you spill the beans to him again?” I really felt like blowing my top at Ste


    “I just casually mentioned that you were at your uncle’s. Who knew they were so chummy?” Ste said,


    sounding all innocent.


    I knew it‘ Ste’s up to her old tricks again.