I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 279

Chapter 279

Lauren watched quietly from the side.

Carter took the envelope from Glen, ready to open it.

Aiden suddenly asked, “Has that envelope been opened before?”

Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. “Opened? I don’t think so. Carter, show us what’s inside.”

Carter didn’t seem to care and pulled out a few photos.

A second later, his face darkened with anger, and he threw the photos to the floor.

Peter saw them.

The photos showed Rhea and George facing each other. He was holding the car door for her, his head

bowed as he spoke to her.

There was nothing inappropriate, but the whole scene screamed provocation.

However, Peter didn’t believe it. He asked, “Why would Rhea give you these photos? Does she have nothing better to do?”

Lauren glanced at Peter, finding him nothing but a nuisance.

“What else could it be? She has decided to divorce you. She’s probably reminding you not to dream of getting back together.” Lauren picked up the photos. “Don’t be mad, Carter.”

Aiden chimed in, “When Rhea gave you this envelope, the side of the pocket had some tamper–proof stuff. Now it’s gone. What happened?”

Lauren waved it off. “Maybe it fell off. Carter, she’s already moving on with another man. Don’t overthink things because of her. The fact that she gave you the photos shows that she doesn’t care about you at all.”

Peter fumed at her commentary. “Lauren, this is between them. Outsiders shouldn’t interfere.”

“It’s between them, sure, but this involves my kids. How would they feel seeing this?”

As Lauren spoke, she deliberately tilted the photos toward the bed. It seemed like she wanted the

children to see them.

Arielle snapped. She rushed over, grabbed the photos, and tore them up on the spot.

Her eyes were red with anger. “My mom’s not like that! You are! Everyone at school knows about you and that old man!”

Chapter 279

+25 BONUS

Lauren’s eyes grew wide at those words. She couldn’t contain her anger and slapped Arielle across

the face.

The entire room went silent.

“Lauren!” Carter shouted when he snapped out of it.

Peter immediately scooped Arielle up.

Meanwhile, Lauren stood frozen. The hand she had used to hit Arielle trembled. “No… I didn’t mean to hit her! It’s just… I don’t mind if outsiders don’t understand me, but how could my own daughter not feel for me? How could she believe their slander?”

Holding the crying Arielle, Peter retorted, “You’re always talking about being slandered. Funny how those people always have time to slander you, huh?”

“You-”

“Enough!” Carter barked. “No matter what, you don’t hit the kids!”

At that moment, a chilling realization hit him. If Lauren dared to strike Arielle in front of him, God knew what she had done when he wasn’t around.

Maybe all the things the kids had said before were true. Lauren could appear gentle in front of him, but scare and threaten them behind his back.

Carter’s gaze on Lauren grew menacing.

Lauren looked utterly aggrieved. “But I’m their mother! They-”

Carter cut her off, asking, “Have you ever raised them for even a single day? Rhea was the one who brought them up! She never even hit them. What gives you the right?”

Chapter 280