I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

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Chapter 25

The rain was pouring down hard. Rhea hadn’t brought an umbrella, so she wrapped her blazer tightly around Arielle.

“Adrian, stay close behind me.”

She shielded Adrian with her body as best she could from the rain.

Just as she was about to head to the car, two men appeared with umbrellas in hand. They walked quickly toward Rhea.

“Ms. Ravelle, let me take her.” One of them took Arielle from her arms.

Rhea knew that they were George’s people. She couldn’t believe how fast he had responded.

After handing over Arielle, she bent down and picked Adrian up.

Adrian was afraid she would get tired of holding him. “Mom, I can walk on my own.”

Rhea followed the bodyguard holding the umbrella into the rainy night and said, “You and Arielle are both my treasures. You both need my hugs.”

Upon hearing that, Adrian instantly wrapped his arms around her neck. “Thank you, Mom.”

Although they never said it out loud, the siblings often discussed this privately. They knew that Lauren was their birth mother, but they loved and preferred Rhea more.

The responsibility of caring for them belonged to Lauren, but Rhea was the one who actually did it. They thought that Rhea was amazing, which was why they loved her.

Outside the hospital, Carter came running after them just in time to see Rhea and the kids getting into a luxury car.

The license plate looked like something from Draventh.

Carter was momentarily stunned.

He thought that Rhea’s outfit was unusual that day. Accustomed to her relaxed, homey look, he was so caught off guard by her sharp professional side that he barely managed to react,

But how did Rhea even know someone from Draventh?

She didn’t have many friends, and her family rarely visited Colburn due to the distance.

The light in Carter’s eyes dimmed. He guessed that there had to be another reason for Rhea’s apparent disregard for home and kids.

He called his driver over and instructed, “Find out where that car came from.”

In the car, Rhea told Edward, “Take us to People’s Hospital.”

Edward replied, “Mr. Snider has already arranged for priority access at Oakridge Hospital. The pediatric care there is excellent.”

“Alright then… Thank you.”

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Chapter 25

Rhea had heard of Oakridge Hospital before. It was one of George’s investments and the top hospital in the

country.

Usually, just getting an appointment was a struggle for ordinary people.

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When they arrived at the hospital, the doctor who had been waiting immediately examined Arielle and set up a treatment plan to address the root cause of her fragile health.

They worked well into the night before Arielle finally fell asleep.

The doctor said, “She has a weak build. Some of her organs didn’t develop properly at birth, mostly due to the mother’s condition. It seems that you didn’t get enough nutrition during pregnancy, and you weren’t careful with your diet.”

Rhea lowered her eyes and explained, “I’m not her birth mother.”

The doctor was taken aback. “Oh…!!

He didn’t say anything else. They needed to provide careful and attentive care for the patient George had arranged to bring here.

“Just let her build up her strength. Once her immune system improves, she’ll get better.”

Rhea nodded. “Thank you, doctor.”

“It’s our duty.”

The crisp sound of leather shoes stepping on the floor caught Rhea’s attention.

When she turned around, George was just walking through the door.

Rhea got to her feet and said, “It’s so late. Why are you here?”

George only asked, “How’s your kid?”

“She’s fine. She just has a weak build.”

It was George’s first time meeting the kids. They were indeed adorable and clearly well cared for.

Adrian stood up, blinking, and greeted, “Hello, sir.”

Children could sense whether adults meant well or not.

With George, Adrian could be polite. But with Lauren, the siblings felt an inexplicable resistance. There was no natural bond from blood at all. It was probably because Lauren had always made them uncomfortable from the moment she appeared.

George’s people placed a box down. It was filled with fruit, healthy snacks, and toys the kids would like.

George took a seat and waved to Adrian. Adrian glanced at Rhea before walking over on his own.

“What’s your name?” George asked.

“I’m Adrian.” He was well behaved, nothing like a restless kid his age.

“Your mom’s here alone. It’s really kind of you not to cause any trouble.” George signaled a bodyguard to bring out a rare, limited–edition transforming race car. “Here, play with this.”