Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 398

After everyone had a good laugh, it felt like some of the tension finally melted away. Brett breathed out quietly, feeling lighter than before.

At dinner, Jaime was all warmth and curiosity, peppering his youngest grandson with questions about life abroad. Brett answered every one, relaxed and easy, until Jaime suddenly asked, “So, do you have a girlfriend yet?”

Brett nearly choked, caught off guard. His face went a little red, something complicated flickering in his eyes. “N-no, not yet.”

Cindy looked at him, surprised. “Really? I thought you had one years ago.” She remembered a video call once, when a young girl had appeared briefly in Brett’s background. Cindy hadn’t said anything at the time. She figured it was normal for someone Brett’s age to have a girlfriend.

Brett glanced at Stephen, then quickly looked down and tried to deflect. “Nope, not yet. What about you two? Any news?”

Just like that, the awkwardness shifted from Brett to Stephen and Cindy. Jaime let out a little snort. “Don’t get me started on those two. They’re both a handful. Especially Stephen. He’s almost thirty, and every time his aunt tries to set him up, he finds some excuse to bail.”

Brett went pale, his hand tightening under the table. Maybe… maybe Stephen still hadn’t moved on. Brett took a slow breath, then said, with a hint of something in his voice, “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were waiting for someone, Stephen.”

The table went silent. Stephen lifted his eyes to Brett, frowning a little, but didn’t say a word.

Jaime tried to cut the tension. “Alright, enough of that. Brett, tell me more about what you’ve been up to overseas.”

Dinner stretched on until nine, with Jaime still lively and full of questions. It wasn’t until the housekeeper quietly reminded him it was time for bed that things started to wind down. Jaime was pushing ninety, and after his illness earlier in the year, everyone was extra careful about his health.

“Dad, you should go rest upstairs. I’ll take care of everything else,” Chelsey said gently.

Jaime turned to Brett with a kind smile. “You’re staying here tonight, right? If you need anything, just ask Chelsey.”

Brett nodded. “Okay, Grandpa.”

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