Betrayed and Dumped: She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 289

Rebecca took off before he could ask anything else, so he had to let it go for now.

No worries, though. This team-building trip lasted three days. He’d have plenty of chances to spend time alone with her. There was no reason to hurry.

On the other side of the field, Cindy was getting antsy. Their group was moving way slower than everyone else. The more behind they fell, the more on edge she got.

And that’s when her nerves got the best of her. Not watching her step, she tripped over a stone and scraped her knee.

Jon knelt down in front of her, his face soft with concern. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and carefully wrapped it around her knee.

“Does it hurt? Are you scared? Here, let me blow on it. That always helps, right?”

Cindy turned her head away. “Come on, I’m not a kid. You’re being ridiculous.”

They both froze for a second, caught off guard by how old the moment felt.

When they were little, Cindy used to trail after Stephen and Jon everywhere. It was always a little strange—she was a girl who’d rather run wild with a bunch of boys than play dolls with the other girls.

One time, Jon and the boys went hiking, and Cindy insisted on tagging along. She barely made it up a few steps before falling and scraping her knee. Blood ran down her leg as she bawled her eyes out. Jon panicked and tried to calm her down.

Stephen just glanced at the cut and shrugged. “You’re fine. I’ll have the driver take you home.”

“No!” Cindy had wailed, clinging to Jon and whining, “I want Jon to carry me.”

So Jon ended up giving her a piggyback ride all the way to the top of the mountain. He thought he might collapse by the end.

Now, years later, it almost felt like nothing had changed. But they were different people now.

Cindy tried to stand, but Jon was still crouched in front of her.

Her cheeks flushed pink. She hesitated. “What are you doing?”

Jon just grinned. “Hop on. I’ll carry you.”

“I can walk. Seriously.”

“Get on. I’m carrying you.” Jon tilted his head, his dark eyes locked on hers. There was no arguing with that look.

After a brief standoff, she caved. She leaned over and climbed onto his back, her arms slipping around his neck.

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