I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Rhea never once regretted it—not when she became a stepmother, not when her parents disapproved, and not even when they cut ties with her completely. She bore it all in silence and never said a single word to Carter about it.

Because she wasn’t just chasing a childhood crush. She wanted closure for herself, and more than that, she wanted to give her parents an answer.

She wanted to stand tall one day and tell them that she didn’t make a mistake. But now, she didn’t know anymore.

Carter never noticed any of her quiet sacrifice.

Just as Rhea pulled herself out of her memories, Carter walked up beside her. “You’re still awake?”

She didn’t answer, only offering a slight nod. When emotions were pushed to the limit, silence was all that remained.

Lauren entered the dining room at that moment. “Carter, you barely ate tonight. Would you like to have something now?”

Carter glanced at Rhea as she stood up and left the table. “Sure.”

He and Lauren sat down to eat. But Lauren kept shifting in her seat, trying to stretch her back.

Carter noticed it and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing. After the C–section and the cancer treatment, the anesthesia left some side effects. Standing too long or sleeping on a soft bed really hurts my lower back,” Lauren said, flashing him a tired smile. “But it’s fine.” Carter pressed his lips into a line, then told Devan, “Switch out the mattress in the guest room.”

Devan replied, “Mr. Jamison, the guest room mattresses are all the same model.”

“It’s really fine, Carter. I can handle this myself. Yesterday, I happened to see that the mattress in the master bedroom is the one we used to love. I’ll just go buy the same one tomorrow.”

That mattress had indeed been her favorite.

Carter went quiet for a second, then told Devan, “Take the mattress from the master bedroom and move it to the guest room.”

Devan hesitated.

“That’s not necessary, Carter. It’s already late. Let’s not trouble anyone.”

Carter didn’t want Rhea to get the wrong idea either. But he couldn’t ignore the fact that Lauren’s pain was caused by what she went through for him.

Lauren made a gentle suggestion. “Why don’t we just switch rooms for tonight? That way, we don’t have to bother Rhea. Once I get a new mattress tomorrow, we’ll switch back.”

After she said that, her hands curled into fists beneath the table.

The silence at the table stretched painfully long.

Eventually, Carter said, “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Chapter 10

+25 BONUS

Lauren’s lashes trembled, and her smile nearly broke. “You’re right. That’s your bedroom with Rhea, after all.” After a pause, she added, “Let’s just do what you think is best.”

Carter said nothing more.

In the master bedroom, Rhea thought that she had misheard. “You’re moving the mattress to the guest room?”

Why?

Carter appeared behind Devan and explained, “Lauren’s had some back issues since giving birth. Soft mattresses make it worse. Just swap the mattress for now. She’ll get a new one tomorrow.”

Lauren walked over, holding her lower back. “Carter, I’d rather tough it out. I don’t want to disrupt your rest.”

Rhea stayed calm. “Do you need to borrow anything else? Say it now. Let’s get it over with.”

Carter narrowed his eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Rhea looked him straight in the eye. “I mean, stop borrowing things from me. If she has money, she can buy her own. If she doesn’t, she can sleep on the floor. Got it?”

Suddenly, the air turned still.

The two of them seemed to be locked in a silent standoff.

Carter had never been the type to back down. With a cold look in his eyes, he let out a scoff and said to Devan, “Go move it.”

Devan didn’t dare disobey. Carter was his boss, after all.

Within minutes, the mattress was lifted from the bed and carried out.

It brushed against the strands of hair on Rhea’s forehead, tickling her skin. The touch was gentle, yet somehow the pain it stirred was sharp, like it had carved open a crack in her heart