I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Carter was momentarily stunned. “Lauren, did you…‘

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+25 BONUS

Lauren quickly explained, “Carter, don’t misunderstand. I was telling them how lucky they are that Rhea isn’t like those evil stepmothers in fairy tales. I’m honestly grateful someone else loves my kids. Why would I ever say anything like that?”

Then she turned to the children. “I know you love Rhea, but you can’t make things up about me, okay?”

Carter knew his children didn’t lie, but they could make things up with complete sincerity. So, he couldn’t take their words at face value.

There might have been a misunderstanding, but the fact that Arielle had scissors in her hands was undeniable. Lauren’s tears fell. “I know I haven’t been around these past few years, so it’s only natural they’re not close to me. But I never imagined that after carrying them for ten months and giving birth to them, I’d end up failing like this.”

Carter thought back to how hard Lauren’s pregnancy had been. He quickly comforted her, saying, “Don’t take it to heart. Give it time. They’ll accept you eventually.”

Still, when he looked up and saw Rhea walking away with the kids, something gnawed at him. He had pushed Arielle in a moment of panic, and he knew that it was wrong. So, he said, “You should rest a while. I’ll check on the kids.”

Carter turned to go, but suddenly remembered something. “Lauren, Rhea has done her part over the years and taken good care of the kids. Let’s not use the word ‘stepmother‘ in front of them.”

Lauren hadn’t expected that. “I…”

In the end, she said nothing. She could only watch as Carter walked away.

In the kids‘ room, Rhea was gently massaging Arielle’s legs and bottom.

Arielle, still upset, whimpered, “Mom, I didn’t lie. She did say that you’re like those evil stepmothers in fairy tales. She told me to be careful with stepmothers. That’s why I got mad.”

Adrian nodded. “That lady talked badly about you. She was lying!”

“I know, sweeties. Don’t cry anymore.” Rhea’s heart ached.

She knew her kids‘ nature better than anyone. She whispered something to them, and finally, Arielle began to smile through her tears.

Arielle nestled in Rhea’s arms, clinging to her warmth. “Mom, you’re not going to leave Dad, right?”

Rhea lowered her eyes. For the first time, she didn’t answer Arielle’s question.

Arielle seemed to sense something and asked cautiously, “Mom, if you and Dad separate, will you take me and Adrian with you? My deskmate’s parents divorced, and he had to live away from his brother.”

At that moment, Carter just happened to reach the door and heard her remark.

He immediately stepped inside and said, “We aren’t splitting up. You and Adrian won’t be separated.”

His response brought Rhea no joy, only a deep and lingering ache in her chest.

Chapter 13

+25 BONUS

Sometimes, it didn’t take a massive betrayal to destroy a relationship. All it took was one devastating truth- Carter didn’t love her.

Every warmth he had shown her had been the result of calculation. He never loved her, so he never once considered her feelings.

Rhea stood up. “Find a time. Let’s talk.”

The last time she had brought up divorce, Carter had walked out.

Carter looked at her and said, “I’ve got time now.”

He called for Alisha to take care of the kids while Rhea led the way to the study.

In the study, Rhea got straight to the point. “Have you thought about the divorce?”

Carter frowned. “When did I say I would give it thought?”

She chuckled and looked back at him. “What are you trying to do then? Keep me tied down while keeping Lauren close?”

Carter looked helpless. “I’m just helping her temporarily. You know who she is. Can’t you be more understanding?

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Rhea suddenly stepped forward, closing in on Carter. She had never been this assertive before. Carter instinctively took a few steps back.

“Understanding? Is understanding letting her borrow a bed today, a dress tomorrow, and a mattress the day after? What’s next, Carter? Should I let her borrow you, too?”

His face darkened.

“If it were you, could you tolerate this?” Rhea stared at him. “I don’t know whether you’ve changed or if you never knew how to love someone in the first place.”

She once thought that the way he treated her was his way of showing his love. Now, she realized that it wasn’t.

After a long pause, Carter said flatly, “I never planned to divorce. And there’s nothing between me and Lauren. After some time-”