Betrayed and Dumped She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 503

Bruce looked pale, but not the kind of pale you see when someone’s just tired. It was almost gray, like all the color and liveness had drained from his face. His cheeks were hollow, cheekbones sharp, his whole expression shadowed and bleak.

Morris had mentioned that Bruce had really taken a beating from life lately. After everything that happened, he barely had any energy left. He didn’t even go out during the day anymore, only slipping out at night, like some kind of sewer rat. He wasn’t the clean-cut guy he used to be either. Now he smoked, drank, and hit up clubs harder than Morris ever did, like he was set on destroying himself one party at a time.

But what was he doing here? Was he actually thinking about getting back with Rebecca?

Paul pressed his lips together, raised his brows, and gave Bruce a look that was all questions, no words.

Bruce exhaled a slow ring of smoke, his tone mocking. “What, you’re allowed to be here and I’m not? Is this the Larson family’s turf now?” He flicked his eyes toward where Rebecca had disappeared, then looked back at Paul, sneering. “She would rather go on a blind date with some nobody than pick you. That’s gotta sting.”

Paul let out a low, dry laugh, pushing his tongue against his cheek. “Still better than you. You knelt for her in the rain and she didn’t even look your way. Look at yourself now. You really think she’d take you back? She wouldn’t, even if she lost her mind.”

Bruce’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, his temper flaring where it hurt most. “At least I had her once.”

Paul didn’t let up. “Yeah, once. She’s your ex for a reason. You know what they say, the best ex is a gone ex.”

Right then, Paul’s phone rang. Morris’ name lit up the screen.

Paul picked up. Morris sounded bright and cheerful. “Paul, you’re back? Let’s get together, man. It’s been forever. I missed you, bro.”

Paul didn’t bother sugarcoating. “Fuck off.” Then he added, “Just send me the time and place.”

“Sure thing!” Morris answered, then hesitated a second before asking quietly, “So, should I invite Bruce?”

Paul paused. “Don’t bother.”

Morris sighed, not surprised at all. Ever since Rebecca, his two best friends had never been the same.

Morris shuddered. “Mom, you’re killing me here. A new date every two days? Are you trying to wear me out?” He was out the door before she could reply.

Half an hour later, at the club, Morris pushed open the door to the private room and saw Paul and Bruce already there, drinks on the table. He flopped onto the sofa across from them, sprawling out like he owned the place. “Wow, you two beat me here. Where’d you rush in from?”

Paul and Bruce exchanged a glance but kept quiet.

Something was off. Really off. Morris narrowed his eyes. Paul only ever came back from business trips for one reason, and Bruce never showed his face in daylight these days. Unless…

Morris’ mind spun. It wasn’t hard to figure out. Rebecca and Stephen broke up, and both of them showed up at once. Wasn’t his a weird way of friendship?

He didn’t say a word, just filled his glass with red wine and started to swirl it, watching the color catch the light.