Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 192

The next morning, Rebecca woke up, feeling more rested than she had in weeks. She glanced at the clock. It’s not even eight yet. She decided to head out for a run. Work had kept her busy, and she could feel her body protesting after so much neglect.

Three kilometers around the park left her flushed and warm, her muscles pleasantly sore. She wiped sweat from her forehead as she made her way back. Near the entrance to her building, she spotted a middle aged man standing outside, craning his neck to peer up at the apartments. She barely paid him any attention, figuring he was just waiting for a relative.

But as she got closer, something about him tugged at her memory. She slowed, eyes narrowing. When their gazes met, recognition hit her all at once. That face belonged to a man she’d tried so hard to forget. Rebecca froze on the sidewalk, every muscle in her body locking up. Then, anger rose in her chest, hot and overwhelming.

The man seemed to realize who she was, too. He took a hesitant step toward her, his voice careful as he said her name. “Rebecca?”

She bristled, her tone sharp. “No, I’m not. Leave me alone.” She spun on her heel and marched away, jaw clenched.

Alan’s certainty grew—he knew now, without a doubt, that this was his daughter. He hurried after her, calling out, “Rebecca, it’s me! I’m your dad. I came to see you!”

Rebecca’s eyes stung, but not from tears of joy or longing. The words coming out of his mouth made her furious. This was the man who’d abandoned her and her mother for a better life, who hadn’t shown up in over twenty years. Now he wanted to waltz back in and call himself her father? The nerve!

She stopped abruptly and turned to face him, voice low and icy. “Sir, you must be mistaken. I’ve never had a father. Mine died when I was five.”

Alan looked like someone had punched him in the gut. He stared at her in disbelief. His daughter thought he was dead? Anger flickered across his face. Was this what Samantha had told her all these years?

“Sweetheart, don’t listen to your mother. I’m alive. I’m right here, I swear. I’m your dad.” Alan fumbled for his wallet, pulling out a small photo. He held it out, hand trembling. “Look, see? This is you, when you were little. I’m your father.”

She hurried to the bathroom, her excuses trailing behind her. The sound of running water drowned out her muffled sobs. Rebecca splashed her face, patted it dry with a towel, and took a deep breath. She wasn’t a little girl anymore, easily caught off guard. She was stronger now, life had made sure of that. She had to be strong—for her mother and herself.

She remembered another New Year’s Eve, back when she was five. Her mother had come home, wrapped her in a tight hug, and cried in a way Rebecca had never seen before.

“Rebecca, from now on, it’s just you and me,” Samantha had whispered.

Rebecca, too young to understand, had just looked up with wide eyes and asked, “But what about Daddy?”