Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 196

Stephen walked into the hospital room and leaned over the bed, trying to catch his grandfather’s gaze. “Grandpa, how are you feeling?”

George gave him a gentle smile. “I’m alright. Just the usual.” He let out a slow sigh,. “I’m sorry you all had to go through this. You didn’t even get to have a proper dinner because of me.”

Stephen pulled up a chair and sat next to him. “Grandpa, we can have dinner together anytime. When you’re out of here, we’ll do it right.”

George nodded, then started coughing. Stephen shot up and gently patted his back until the coughing fit passed. George waved him off. “Don’t fuss. I’m fine.”

He paused, glancing at Stephen. “Oh, Stephen, remember to visit your dad and uncle tomorrow morning. They’re all alone up on the mountain.”

Stephen was quiet for a bit, then nodded. “Okay.”

Even though his grandfather’s eyes looked cloudy, his mind was as sharp as ever. He noticed the heaviness in Stephen’s mood. Stephen hadn’t brought home a girlfriend after that happened, and the old man knew exactly what was going on.

“Stephen, you still can’t forget that girl, can you?”

Stephen’s eyes darkened. He tucked the blanket tighter around his grandfather’s shoulders. “It’s not like that”

“Grandpa, you just woke up. Don’t tire yourself out. Get some rest.”

He left the room, pausing by the door to give the attendant a quiet instruction. “Keep an eye on him. Call me if anything happens.”

George closed his eyes, letting out a deep breath. That car accident had taken both his sons. It tore the family apart. He would never agree to let his grandson and the daughter of the woman who caused it be together. But Stephen’s attitude tonight was hard to read. Maybe it was time to start thinking seriously about Stephen’s future.

...

Rebecca was barely awake when her phone rang. Cindy’s voice was bubbling with excitement. “Rebecca, want to go to a hot spring?”

“Hold up! Those are way too boring. How are we supposed to show off looking like that?”

She opened her own bag with a flourish. “Ta-da! Look at the swimsuits I picked out. Aren’t they gorgeous?”

Rebecca looked down at the flimsy two-piece Cindy handed her. There was barely any fabric at all. Her cheeks turned pink. “It’s really pretty, but... isn’t it a bit... much?”

Cindy just laughed. “No way. Besides, it’s just us in here. Who’s going to see?”

Rebecca thought about it for a second, then shrugged. Why not? She went to change.

She didn’t check the mirror when she came out. She had no idea how good she looked, but Cindy was already heading for the restroom, waving her off. “Go ahead and get in the pool. I’ll be right there.”

Rebecca glanced around. “Which pool is ours?”