I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

“You’re saying that Rhea did this to you?” Carter’s throat tightened as his eyes fell on the obvious marks on Lauren’s neck.

Lauren wobbled to her feet and took a few unsteady steps toward him. “She hates me. She-”

Carter suddenly pulled back, and Lauren didn’t get to touch him. The movement froze her in place.

Carter maneuvered his wheelchair. “Go take a shower. I want to rest for a while.”

Because of his mobility issues, he could only stay in the guest room on the first floor.

By the time Ethan arrived, it was already late.

In the room, the ashtray in front of Carter was nearly overflowing.

“Mr. Jamison?” Ethan came to deliver documents related to the Eryham project.

With the project lead absconding with the funds, a police report and proof were necessary.

Carter smoked relentlessly, his mind replaying Lauren’s words over and over. He wondered if Rhea could really be this cruel.

He could understand Rhea’s jealousy, but was she really capable of something like this?

At this moment, his thoughts of treating Lauren kindly wavered. He knew that Lauren was wholeheartedly devoted to him, but he couldn’t accept a woman who was already tainted.

He hadn’t forgotten a single word of what Rhea and Anthony had said at the banquet.

Carter suddenly looked up at Ethan and asked, “Do you think I should believe Lauren?”

Should he believe that she was innocent?

Ethan didn’t know the history between them. “I suggest you follow your heart, Mr. Jamison.”

Follow his heart?

No matter what the reason, Lauren had indeed been violated.

Carter’s thoughts were in chaos. The company was in trouble, and now this had happened to Lauren.

Regardless, he knew that staying in Colburn wasn’t an option anymore.

“Stick to the plan I laid out earlier,” Carter said.

He still decided to go to Draventh, where the opportunities were greater and he would have a better chance to rebuild.

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Chapter 208

“Understood.”

+25 BONUS

In the bathroom, Lauren called for a maid. “Help me take a bath.”

She felt weak all over, her nerves on edge. She didn’t know what she would do if Carter rejected her

because of this.

After the maid helped her wash up, she left with eyes full of disdain.

Lauren changed and went to the kids‘ room. The twins were already asleep.

She silently approached Arielle’s bedside, then leaned against the headboard and rested just like that.

Carter, who hadn’t slept all night, came to check on the children and saw her like this.

Lauren was curled up on the floor, without a blanket, looking completely vulnerable.

Carter felt like his heart was being ripped apart.

“Lauren,” he called out softly.

It took her a long moment to “fully awaken“. “Carter?”

When she stood, her legs were stiff, and she nearly fell. “I–I just wanted to check on the kids. I’ll

leave now.”

After saying that, she stumbled toward the door. She waited a long time, but no voice called her back.

Carter didn’t stop her.

Thus, Lauren had no choice but to leave the Jamison residence. Outside, she ran into Peter.

Peter stepped out of the car and walked straight past without looking at her.

“Peter,” Lauren called out.

He paused but didn’t turn. “Yes?”

She could feel the shift in his attitude. She asked, “Why… have you suddenly changed? Did I do something to offend you? I know that after all these years apart, our relationship will feel a little distant.”

Peter turned his face slightly to look at her.

Lauren smiled bitterly. “I’m not asking for anything else. I just want to do everything I can to help Carter. After what Rhea did to me this time, I can no longer go on living. I hope you can stay by Carter’s side through these hardest days.”