Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 407

Nina beamed, her eyes crinkling as she counted off all the perks of marrying into their family on her fingers.

But Cindy couldn’t focus. There was a ringing in her ears, and Nina’s words just drifted past her.

She finally interrupted, her voice steady. “Well, is this your idea, or does the whole Garfield family feel this way?”

She really stressed the words “whole family,” but Nina didn’t catch her meaning.

“It’s everyone,” Nina replied, nodding earnestly. “Charlie even asked me to talk to you. If you’re open to it, maybe you and Richie could start seeing each other, get comfortable, and then once you both feel ready, we can talk about an engagement.”

Cindy looked up, her eyes glassy with tears she refused to let fall.

She forced a small, polite smile. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

She stood up, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door.

Nina scrambled after her, her words tumbling out. “It’s alright, Cindy. I just wanted to hear what you thought. If there’s someone in your heart already, I’d never make you do this.”

Outside, night had settled in. The darkness was a comfort. Cindy didn’t have to worry about anyone seeing her red eyes or the tears that clung to her lashes.

She turned and bowed slightly, still trying to smile. “I’m sorry. There isn’t anyone, but I don’t want to rush into marriage. And honestly, I only see Richie with the respect I’d give a senior, nothing more. I just don’t feel that way about him.”

Without waiting for a response, she slipped into her car and shut the door.

Nina let out a long sigh, went back to the private room to gather her things, and told the driver to take her home.

At the Garfield house, Charlie was pacing in the foyer, anxious.

He hurried over the moment Nina stepped inside. “Well? What did Cindy say?”

Charlie sighed, feeling defeated. “If our families become connected, the Garfield family will be stronger. That’s good for you and Jon too.”

Nina scoffed. “Don’t think I don’t know what this is really about. You just want to make everything perfect for Richie before you retire. But you’ve got more than one son, Charlie. Jon is your son too. Why not let Cindy be with him? They’re closer in age, and their personalities match. It makes so much more sense.”

Charlie just pressed his fingers to his forehead, let out a heavy breath, and said nothing more.

That night, Cindy couldn’t bring herself to go back to the Duncan family house. Instead, she drove to her tiny apartment.

There was a little shop downstairs, so before heading up, she grabbed a few bottles of wine.

Behind her own door, she kicked off her shoes and dropped onto the soft carpet, completely drained. At that moment, she didn’t want to think about why Brett was back in the country, or why he’d gone to visit the grave of the man who killed his father, or whether Jon really knew his mom was trying to set her up with Richie.

She just wanted to drink, forget, and maybe wake up tomorrow with all her worries left behind.