Chapter 416


    Chapter 416


    “Right, we’re not even friends, Dr. Karina, Let’s make that clear. I chimed in, casting a shadow over


    Neil’s already gloomy mood.


    Karina pretended to be disappointed, “You were once married, after all. There’s no need to be so


    indifferent. Perhaps, you could just be regr friends moving


    forward.”


    It was a pretense of reconciliation but, in reality, a disy of triumph.


    Wasn’t the frosty distance between Neil and me the perfect tonic to her insecurities?


    “Whatever kind of friendship it is, I’m not interested. I haven’t had breakfast yet. I’m heading home.” I


    didn’t y along with Karina’s performance.


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Once I found my car, I loaded up the groceries I’d bought and drove home.


    If there was any chance of Neil and me being ‘regr friends; why would I have moved to Eldoria?


    When I got home, Serena and Brandon were already awake.


    Norah was making them exercise. Seeing me, she took the groceries from me, “Ms. Finch, I’ll start


    breakfast.”


    Norah went to the kitchen, and I stayed with the kids.


    During that time, my mom/sent a video call. Other than checking in on the kids, she wanted to talk


    about Lucas’ affairs. To my surprise, Lucas had drawn up a will. After the immediate family, my mom


    was next in line.


    That meant that if something happened to Lucas’ immediate family, all his wealth would have gone to


    my mom.


    That was a surprise to all of us.


    My uncle, Lucas, had harbored a profound resentment towards my parents. My dad had decided to


    handle a business matter reasonably, which Lucas took as a betrayal. Ever since that time, our families


    had been at odds.


    As for my uncle, he had always kept his distance.


    “I…I don’t know what to say,” I confessed.


    “Your aunt is still in the ICU, so it probably won’t go to me. We don’t want his money! We just want her


    to get better. But even if she does, how is she going to face everything? If I were her, I don’t know if I


    could bear it…” My mom choked up towards the end.


    Lucas was her brother, after all. Even if they had their differences, she had let bygones be bygones.


    Besides, Lucas’ will must have hit her hard.


    It was clear that Lucas still held his sister in high regard.


    “Mom, are you and Dad going to stay there for a while?” I asked, “Considering my aunt’s condition,


    you’ll probably need to be there for some time, right?”


    My mom confirmed, “Yes, can you and Norah manage with Serena and Brandon?”


    “No problem, they’re both very well-behaved,” I assured her, “You guys take care of everything there


    ande back when you’re ready. If anything happens, I’ll let you know.”


    “All right, and be careful of Neil and that Karina, okay?” Even in those circumstances, my mom was


    worried about that.


    I didn’t tell her about Ryan and Faithing to my house, wanting to take Serena and Brandon for a


    paternity test. That would have just added to their worries.


    After ending the call, Norah had breakfast ready and called me over to eat.


    Just then, the gate opened, and Russel came in looking rather worn out, with faint dark circles under


    his eyes.


    Norah quickly set another ce at the table, “Dr. Russel, have you eaten? I just finished preparing


    breakfast. Join us.”


    Russel nodded, “Sure.”


    Norah, being very observant, quickly ate a bit and then went to y with the kids, leaving Russel and


    me alone.


    But there really wasn’t much to discuss between us.


    Other than the thing with Karina, I generally trusted him.


    What I wasn’t expecting was for him to propose today.


    In the middle of our silent meal, he took out a diamond ring from his pocket. It was the same one he


    had given me once before, which I had returned.


    But then, that ring was before me once again. His eyes were tired but sparkling. His voice was soft and


    sincere as he asked, “Irene, would you consider marrying me?”


    “You… “I stared at the ring, stunned, “Why bring this up all of a sudden?”


    “I’ve wanted to ask you for a while now. I just didn’t know when would be the right time,” Russel


    confessed with a smile, “I know there’s a high chance you’ll say no, but something happenedst night


    that made me realize when you want to do something, you shouldn’t hesitate. Even if you get rejected,


    don’t be afraid.”


    I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t nned on marrying Russel. That would have meant we would be a


    legal couple. I couldn’t develop romantic feelings for him, and it wouldn’t have been fair to him.


    So, I tried to change the subject, “What happenedst night?”


    Russel knew I was trying to deflect, but he still exined gently, “We had a patient. It was a young girl.


    Her boyfriend had just proposed to her not long ago when they met with an ident. She didn’t make


    it.”


    So, witnessing the loss of a loved one had stirred those feelings in him?


    I never knew Russel had such a sensitive side.


    “Yes, that’s really unfortunate. Her boyfriend must be devastated,” I said, my mind a whirl of thoughts.


    “That’s why I don’t want to wait anymore. I’ve already discussed this with your parents and they didn’t


    object. They just told me to think it through, to make sure I wouldn’t regret itter. And then, to ask


    you,” Russel put the ring down on the table, “Could you please consider it? I want to be Serena and


    Brandon’s legal father. I’ll


    treat them as my own. As for us…whether we have kids or not, it doesn’t matter to me.”


    It was not every day that a man taid it all on the line like that, even his dignity.


    I would have been lying if I said I wasn’t touched. However, my rationality kept me from epting it just


    because I was moved.


    After a spell of silence, I could tell that Russel had already figured out my answer. He didn’t seem upset


    or disappointed, but instead, he merely chuckled, “I knew it wouldn’t be that easy. Even before Serena


    and Brandon came into the picture, it was tough. Now with them involved, it’s even harder for you to


    ept me. I can understand that.”


    “Russel, I’m sorry,” I managed to murmur after a moment of hesitation.


    “No need to apologize. I’m doing this willingly.” Russel pocketed the ring, “I’ll try again someday. Maybe


    one day, you will truly ept me.”


    I really wanted to tell him to stop wasting his time, but then I remembered how many times I had said


    those words before, to no avail.