Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 218

“Are you hurt anywhere? Maybe I should take you to the hospital, just to be sure,” Rebecca offered.

The man gave a small laugh. “It’s really nothing. Don’t worry about me.”

Still, it had been her fault. Rebecca felt she had to make it right. Shawn glanced at the east gate nearby, then pointed in its direction.

“How about you just buy me lunch? Seems fair. One accident, one meal.”

He was serious, so Rebecca nodded. “Alright. Where do you want to eat?”

They headed out together, chatting as they walked. Shawn noticed her backpack and asked, “Did you come here for your grad school interview?”

He remembered seeing her last time, right after her entrance exam.

“Yeah. You too?” Rebecca asked.

Shawn smiled, but there was sadness in his eyes. He shook his head. “No, I’m here for a friend. I’m visiting her old school for her.”

That sounded a bit odd to Rebecca.

She hesitated, then guessed, “Your girlfriend?”

He didn’t answer, which told her enough.

“She couldn’t come herself?”

“No. She’s in Britian.”

“Oh, studying abroad?”

There was a long pause. Shawn finally said quietly, “Not exactly. She’s buried there.”

Rebecca’s heart dropped. She looked up at him, her voice soft. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something painful.”

Shawn just smiled a little, not saying anything. Rebecca worried she might say something wrong again, so she kept quiet too.

They walked to the east gate and picked a local restaurant. Inside, Rebecca handed him the menu. “What do you wanna have?”

Shawn gave the menu back, letting her decide. “I’ll have whatever you recommend.”

After they ordered, Shawn sipped his tea and asked, “Are you from here?”

“Yeah, born and raised. What about you?”

Rebecca didn’t buy it. She noticed how red her mom’s eyes were, and her brows drew together. “Did he come bother you again? I’m calling the police. He can’t keep harassing you.”

“Rebecca, please don’t,” Samantha said, grabbing her hand. “You don’t need to call anyone. I chased him off with a broom.”

“He didn’t do anything, really, just… talks in a way that makes my skin crawl.”

Samantha looked so tired. Rebecca hugged her. “Mom, don’t worry. I’m not going to let his words get to me. And if he ever comes back, you call me right away. I’ll make sure he leaves and never comes back.”

Samantha smiled, a little more real this time. “You really are my good girl.”

Rebecca went back to the living room, feeling more and more uneasy. After thinking it over, she decided to get a video doorbell and a better security door installed.

Just then, her friend Cindy called. When Cindy heard about the security idea, she immediately offered to connect Rebecca with a friend whose family owned a security company.

Once that was sorted, Cindy hesitated. “Are you free tonight?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“Would you come with me to a blind date?”

A blind date? Rebecca remembered how she’d just encouraged Cindy to get back out there. She couldn’t say no now. It felt like the right thing to do, so she agreed right away.