Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 473

Rebecca gripped the willow tree nearby, steadying herself as her legs threatened to give out. Her eyes locked onto Joan, dazed and searching, like she was trying to pull herself back from a different world. It felt like ages before she could breathe again.

She tried to speak, but nothing came out.

Joan’s lips curled in a satisfied little smile. “Ms. Harper, you’re always so generous. It’s just a kid… I’m sure you can handle that, right?”

Rebecca forced herself to stay calm. She drew in a slow breath, her stare so sharp it could have cut right through Joan. “How do I even know you are telling the truth?”

With that, it was like all her strength vanished. Rebecca turned and walked away, barely holding herself together.

Behind her, Joan called out, her voice full of mock concern. “Wow, did I really scare you that much? I was only saying. Can’t even handle a little conversation?”

Rebecca stopped and spun around, glaring at her. Everything felt confusing. Was Joan telling the truth? Or was she just messing with her?

If it was true…

Rebecca shut the thought down before it could go any further. She turned and hurried off, practically running all the way to the office.

Before long, Brett came jogging over with a thermos in hand. Worried that Joan might be waiting too long, he’d rushed the whole way. Now his forehead was damp with sweat, and he was breathing a little hard.

His eyes lit up with a smile. “Joan, have some water. I’ve tasted it. It’s the perfect temperature. Here.”

He tasted it…

Joan glanced at the bottle opening and frowned slightly.

After a few seconds, she lifted it and took a drink, pretending nothing was amiss. Brett naturally took the thermos back and screwed the lid on.

“Brett, there’s something I’d like to ask you to help me with. I don’t know if it’s okay.”

Cindy’s eyes went wide. She pushed up her sleeves, ready for war. “That wicked bitch! Joan actually has the guts to come back here? And then she tries to get in touch with you, messing with you and Stephen? I swear, she’s driving me insane. I’m going to the hospital right now, break her legs and cut out her tongue. Let’s see her talk trash then!”

Rebecca let out a helpless sigh and held Cindy back. “Those are just cheap tricks. I’m not worried about that. What scares me is this child she mentioned. If it’s real…”

She could accept that Stephen had a history, but the idea that he might have a child with someone else… that was different.

If there was a kid, Stephen and Joan would always be connected. Always. Rebecca couldn’t imagine watching him go out with another woman, both of them taking care of a child, going to the park, shopping for school supplies. She knew she wasn’t strong enough to pretend that didn’t hurt.

Unless she didn’t love Stephen… unless she was only with him for money. No woman could really accept that.

Cindy’s face darkened when she heard about the child. “She’s just making all this up to mess with you. Joan would do anything to break you and my brother up. Rebecca, you’ve been with Stephen so long. You know what kind of person he is. He would never lie to you.”

Rebecca nodded. She did trust Stephen. But what if he didn’t even know about the child himself?