Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 193

“Your father isn’t coming back.”

“Why not?”

“He’s gone.”

“Oh.”

Back then, she thought “gone” meant death. It wasn’t until high school that she finally learned the truth. Her father hadn’t died. He’d left her and her mother behind, running off to be the husband for a lady from some rich family. After all these years, she and her mom had moved on. Life without Alan was just fine. Now that he was suddenly reaching out again, whatever his reason, Rebecca knew she was never letting him back in.

She didn’t mention bumping into Alan downstairs to her mom. After breakfast, Samantha started talking about shopping for the New Year.

“We still need a few things for the dinner. I’ll go get them,” her mom said.

Rebecca jumped up. “Let me do it, Mom. You should get some rest.”

Samantha insisted, “I can go with you.”

Rebecca was already at the door. “I’ve got it. You stay home and relax.”

Samantha let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “Alright, alright. Be careful on the road.” She muttered a few reminders, then turned back to the kitchen. In the past, with Lottie around, it had always been the three of them, happy together. Thinking about Lottie made Samantha sigh. How had things gotten so distant with that girl?

Rebecca headed downstairs, swapping her clothes for something more comfortable and pulling on a hat. She peeked around the stairwell, checking for Alan. There was no sign of him. Relief rushed over her and she headed to the car.

A drive that usually took forty minutes only took twenty today. Rebecca wasn’t much of a shopper. She went straight for the things they needed, grabbed everything in record time, and was back at the car before she knew it.

Her phone buzzed. It was her mom.

He pressed his lips together, looking frustrated. “It’s been three months.”

Three months? What was he talking about? Rebecca stared at him, completely lost.

“Rebecca, you’ve punished me long enough.”

She almost laughed. How many times did she have to say it? They were over. Done. Finished. She knew if she tried to explain it again, he’d just keep pretending this was all some drawn-out test.

She actually snorted. How desperate had she been in the past to make him this sure of himself?

“If you like the cart so much, you can have it,” she said, her voice cool and even. She picked up her things and got ready to leave.

But Bruce caught her arm, holding her back.