Chapter 381


    Chapter 381


    Two children, a girl named Serena and a boy named Brandon.


    Those were the names I had chosen for them, without any particr meaning. I just thought they


    sounded nice.


    Thinking Icked culture, my dad sifted through an English dictionary, wanting to change them. But


    Russel stood up for me, saying, “We shouldn’t burden children with adult expectations through their


    names. They’ll have their own lives.”


    Finally, my dad backed down and epted the names.


    “Alright, you stay at home. I’ll apany Rena to the hospital,” my mom decided when I had to go for


    a postpartum checkup after my confinement period. My dad wanted to join, but my mom stopped it.


    I took my daughter to the hospital, leaving my son at home under my dad’s care.


    The hospital we chose was close and well-equipped, but Karina worked there, and I avoided crossing


    paths with her at all costs.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    “Mom, can you hold Serena while I go for my checkup?” Thanded my daughter to my mom when it was


    my turn for the checkup.


    “Sure,” my mom took Serena with a smile and sat down on a chair, ying with her.


    After the checkup, the doctor suggested I should have a postpartum recovery treatment. Although my


    condition wasn’t bad, having given birth to twins, my pelvic floor muscles needed some restorative


    treatment.


    When the doctor exined the process to me, her phone rang.


    “Dinner? Sure, aren’t you working today?” Her tone was enthusiastic. “I’lle to see you after I finish


    work at noon. Is your significant other around?”


    “No, he’s swamped with work and has returned to Rosemont. That’s why I wanted to catch up with


    you,” came Karina’s voice from the speakerphone.


    I was taken aback. I hadn’t expected this doctor to know Karina.


    However, she didn’t recognize me, even though I was a significant character in the story of Neil and


    Karina.


    “No problem. I’lle to see you after I finish work at noon,” the doctor cheerfully replied before


    hanging up and resuming our conversation about the postpartum recovery package.


    I decided against it. The thought of her knowing Karina was a little irritating. I’d rather spend more


    money and find a postpartum recovery center.


    “No need, thank you,” I politely declined her offer and quickly left.


    At that moment, Serena started crying, probably because she was hungry. I quickly picked her up to


    soothe her, and only after she fell asleep did I breathe a sigh of relief and head back home.


    My car was parked just outside the hospital. As my mom and I were about to leave, we saw Karina


    approaching.


    Her long hair dyed a gentle light brown, shimmered under the sun, making her look like a doll.


    I was puzzled. The doctor had arranged to have lunch with Karina. Why was she here so soon?


    My mom recognized her immediately, took Serena from me, and urged me, “Go start the car. Let’s go


    home!”


    “Alright,” I ignored Karina and headed straight for my car.


    Karina called out to me, “Ms. Finch, I think I owe you an apology.”


    I didn’t respond. I didn’t care about her apology; I just didn’t want to be bothered.


    Like Bonnie, Karina was thick-skinned.


    “Neil came to see you and said some unpleasant things to you, Russel, and the kids. I want to


    apologize on his behalf. That wasn’t his intention,” Karina sincerely apologized.


    I stopped and turned around, “Don’t mention Neil to me anymore. We’re not close, and I’m not


    interested in having a long conversation with you.”


    After saying that, I got into my car, and my mom ced Serena in the car seat in the back.


    Karina didn’t look too pleased from outside the car window. I nced at her before driving away.


    I had hoped to avoid the people who bothered me by moving away from Rosemont. I hadn’t expected


    Karina to start working in the same city. It felt like an unfortunate coincidence.


    On the way home, I received a call from Ste. She gave birth around the same time as me. Now, she,


    Barbara Sands, and Lspend our days talking about our kids.


    When they found out I was pregnant with twins, they were shocked. Before that, I was seen as infertile.


    Many people mocked and pitied me, thinking that Neil and I had broken up because of this and that


    Karina, who came back with a child, reced me.


    But soon after, I gave birth to twins, which was a huge surprise for everyone.


    Ste and the others first used me of not sharing the news with them, and then they were genuinely


    happy for me.


    In the end, they all had one question: who’s the father of the kids?


    Apart from my parents and Russel, I denied everyone’s guess that Neil was the father.


    “Rena, I’ll visit you in a few days. Barbara wants to join, too! Ste said excitedly.


    “You’re bringing your three kids? Are you sure?” I admired Ste’s energy. She was vibrant and lively,


    which suited herrge family.


    Ste chuckled, “Mitch Hebert is alsoing. You don’t mind, right? Now that you and Neil have gone


    your separate ways, you don’t need to worry about anything.” That was true. Life had been easytely.


    The bitter words thrown during our final argument left a scar, but they also allowed me to leave the past


    behind.


    I think this time, Neil wouldn’t bother me again.


    “Sure, I’d love to have you all over,” I hadn’t seen Ste and the others in a long time. Being in a new


    city, I missed my friends back in Rosemont


    Now that I had started a new life, it was only right to catch up with friends.


    “Great! We’ll be there in a few days!” Ste sounded even happier when I agreed.


    But then she brought up Karina, “Isn’t Karina working there too? She’s just like Bonnie, always around.


    Did you know? Your former inws still haven’t epted her. That’s why she moved so far away.”.


    “Why? If Neil’s parents were not weing her, shouldn’t she make an extra effort to make her


    presence felt in the Whitmore family? She has a kid that should help her score some brownie points


    with the Whitmores, right?” I asked, a bit puzzled.


    “Duh, she needs to win over Neil’s heart. That’s why she came all the way out here. It’s a way to make


    Neil feel guilty and concerned about her. She’s ying a higher card game than Bonnie. Bonnie’s just


    naively trying to push herself into Neil’s life, Ste added, enjoying the analysis.


    Was that Karina’s n? I hadn’t given it much thought.


    Whatever tactic she used to win Neil over didn’t matter to me. If she could just pack her bags and head


    back to Rosemont right now, settle down with Neil, I’d be happier.