I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

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Chapter 121

Carter couldn’t believe he had doubted Lauren’s past suffering.

He patted her shoulder and said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made you recall the past. Did you make the doctor’s appointment for tomorrow?”

“Yeah.” Lauren smiled faintly.

The next day, Lauren arrived early at the Jamison residence.

Just after 8:00 am, the two children excitedly ran out with their backpacks. The moment they saw Lauren, their smiles vanished, and they stood politely in place.

“Good morning,” Arielle and Adrian greeted in unison.

No extra words were spoken.

They were only six years old. This was the utmost politeness they could show to someone they truly

disliked.

Lauren adjusted her shoulder bag and bent slightly, smiling gently. “Good morning. You look so happy today. Are you going to see Rhea?”

“Yes.” At the mention of Rhea, the children’s faces brightened slightly.

Lauren pouted. “What a shame. I guess your dad can’t go with you. He’s taking me to the hospital for my checkup today.”

Carter had already promised her he would.

Arielle frowned and said, “No, Dad said he’ll go with us.‘

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Adrian nodded. “Dad promised that he’ll keep his word from now on.”

Meeting their anxious eyes, Lauren straightened her back and glanced inside.

Soon, Carter appeared. To her surprise, Aiden was there too.

“Aiden? When did you get here?” Lauren asked, shocked.

“I just got here,” Aiden replied.

Carter explained, “Aiden works at the hospital. He knows the procedures well, so I asked him to accompany you for the appointment. I promised the kids we’d visit Rhea today.”

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Chapter 121

Lauren froze. “But… you promised you’d go with me to the hospital.”

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Adrian spoke bluntly. “You can go for a checkup anytime. The doctor isn’t going anywhere. Why do you insist on having Dad go with you today?”

Indeed, couldn’t she have changed her appointment to another time?

Aiden had asked the same thing when Carter requested his help. He didn’t want to think his childhood friend had hidden intentions and simply tried to help as a friend.

“Lauren, let’s go. I’ll drive you,” Aiden said.

Lauren tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Maybe… I’ll skip it this time. You’re right. I can go another time. There’s no rush. Since you’re all going to see Rhea, let me come along. I can see what she needs and take some things to her.”

Aiden frowned. He thought that Lauren had no sense of boundaries. She knew that Rhea resented her presence, so why did she insist on tagging along?

Did she really still have feelings for Carter and want him back? If so, he thought that it would be

completely inappropriate.

Aiden said bluntly, “Let them have their family time. You haven’t been back to Colburn in a long while. As a friend, I can do you a favor and call a few of our female classmates to keep you company.‘

Arielle quickly tugged Carter’s hand, eager to get going. “Dad, let’s go! Mom’s waiting for us!”

Meanwhile, Adrian pushed from behind. “Come on, Dad!”

The car left quickly.

Lauren stood frozen, unable to maintain her smile. She turned to Aiden and remarked, “Aiden, you seem to really like Rhea.”

Aiden, not being a child, caught the change in her gaze and tone. It seemed that Lauren’s gentleness was indeed insincere.

Aiden didn’t mince his words either. “Lauren, times have changed. They’re doing well. Why make things difficult for yourself and for them?”

Lauren lowered her eyes. “Yes, times have changed. We were once so close, but now everything belongs to someone else.”

Her former fiance was with Rhea now, and her children only called Rhea “Mom“.