I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 217

Chapter 217

“Are you sure you’re not mistaken, Ms. Ravelle? Whose children would you have raised? Were they adopted?”

Various guesses formed in the ladies‘ minds, good and bad alike. They would never have dared to say them aloud, though.

Rhea met Lauren’s gaze. She noticed the latter’s lips tremble slightly, and she rose to her feet.

“There’s actually something I’ve never told anyone.” The moment Rhea spoke, everyone’s ears perked up.

Lauren cut in, trying to stop her. “Ms. Ravelle, today is Mrs. Cain’s birthday. Let’s all wish her a—”

“Rhea secretly got married long ago,” Liora interrupted loudly.

At her words, silence fell over the room.

A secret marriage?

Lauren loosened her hold on her cutlery when she heard that. Fine, then. She wanted to see how Rhea would handle the odd looks from these ladies. This matter made perfect fodder for gossip among Colburn’s elites, let alone these ladies in Draventh.

Could the Ravelle family handle becoming laughingstocks and the target of everyone’s mockery?

Lauren relaxed and laughed. “A secret marriage? Why didn’t you bring your husband to introduce him to everyone?”

She was confident that Rhea wouldn’t dare tell anyone about her relationship with Carter.

Rhea looked around the room. “I was supposed to invite everyone here to my wedding, and I’ve always felt bad about not doing so. Now, however, I know that not inviting anyone was the right thing to do. After all, you’re all important people, and your time is precious. It wouldn’t have been worth wasting time on scum like him.”

What was that supposed to mean?

Everyone was stunned. Scum? What was Rhea talking about?

Rhea continued, “I was young, naive, and blinded by love. I met a man who wasn’t worth my time and love, so I didn’t say anything about it. Now, we’re preparing for a divorce, and I didn’t want my parents to mention it because it’s not exactly something to be proud of. I’m actually only bringing it up now because I’ve run into someone familiar.”

Lauren wanted to use the Ravelle family’s dignity and reputation against her, huh?

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Chapter 217

+25 BONUS

“Ms. Thayer, who is supposed to be Mrs. Cain’s honored guest…” Rhea curled her lip before continuing, “…happens to be the first love of my worthless soon–to–be ex–husband. They’ve rekindled their love, and I don’t want to get in the way of them. That’s why I had asked for a divorce,”

Priscilla’s eyes widened in shock. She had only treated Lauren like an honored guest because her mother had saved Marcus as a child. But if Lauren was a homewrecker…

Her honored guest, a homewrecker? What a joke! She didn’t know why Marcus had been unfortunate enough to become acquainted with someone like this.

For a moment, the atmosphere turned awkward. This plot twist was so sudden and outrageous.

Priscilla didn’t look too happy. “Ms. Ravelle, are you sure you have the right person?”

“Of course. Would I ever get her wrong?” Rhea said, “It’s only been two months since I met Ms. Thayer, but I vividly remember her hosting a gathering at home with my worthless husband while my stepdaughter ended up in the hospital because of her allergies. Meanwhile, I spent the night at the hospital caring for her.”

The women were stunned. When they looked at Lauren again, their eyes were filled with hostility. “Is that what actually happened?”

Lauren’s face had turned ashen. She said, “Ms. Ravelle, I’ve told you several times that you’ve misunderstood me. Your conflict with Carter has nothing to do with me. We were only reunited after you two decided to get a divorce.”

Kate said plainly, “Rhea and Carter have yet to finalize their divorce, yet you’re already going around calling yourself Mrs. Jamison. What do you think that points to?”

Liora shook her head and said mockingly, “And you had the nerve to say that you raised the two children yourself. Ask anyone in Colburn. They would know the truth. Rhea might just be the children’s stepmother, but she cared for them wholeheartedly and raised them as if they were her own. You think you can claim the credit with just a few sentences?”

Just then, Marcus returned.