Betrayed and Dumped: She Rose Stronger Than Ever novel Chapter 512

Joan gently took Ben’s hand and spoke softly. “Ben, this is your dad’s sister. Say hello to your aunt.”

Ben looked up at Cindy, his tone sweet and polite. “Hello, Auntie.”

Cindy’s smile vanished. She stepped back, brow furrowed. “Don’t call me that. I’m not your aunt. If someone actually wants you to call them that, fine, but I don’t, so save it.”

Ben’s lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes dropped, disappointment plain on his face.

Joan noticed right away, her heart tightening for her son. “Cindy, whatever’s going on between us adults doesn’t involve Ben. Don’t take it out on him.”

Cindy let out a cold laugh. “Oh, so now it’s my fault? You told him call me that in the first place. If any of the Duncan family wants to see you and your son, go find them. Don’t come around here and annoy me.”

Her words stung, sharp and unforgiving.

Joan’s eyes turned red at the corners, tears threatening to spill over. “Cindy, we used to be so close. I don’t understand why you’re treating me like this. Did someone say something about me to you?”

She glanced at Rebecca, making her meaning obvious. “Someone’s been talking behind my back and trying to turn you against me. Don’t fall for her tricks and hurt our friendship after all these years.”

Rebecca nearly burst out laughing. She thought Joan might as well just spell her name out loud.

“Ms. Knotts, this ‘someone’ you’re talking about… you mean me, right?” Rebecca shot back without missing a beat.

Joan froze, caught off guard by how direct Rebecca was. She bit her lip, trying to recover. “Ms. Harper, that’s not what I meant. Please don’t get the wrong idea.”

Rebecca just let out a soft chuckle and flashed a bright smile. “You kept looking at me, so I thought you meant me. But if you didn’t, that’s fine. I guess I got the wrong idea.”

Joan had nothing left to say. She’d wanted to plant doubt in Cindy’s mind, but Rebecca cleared her name in just a few words.

Joan’s jaw clenched tight with frustration.

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