I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Rhea joined them, but after staying up all night, she didn’t have much appetite.

“Mom, eat a little.” Arielle placed the food on her plate.

Rhea smiled. “Okay.”

Carter sat across the table. It was a rare moment of peace and warmth for the family of four.

“Were you at the hospital yesterday?” he asked.

Rhea didn’t look up. “Yeah.”

“Who picked you up?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“A friend.”

Carter responded instinctively, “You don’t have friends.”

Finally, Rhea looked up. “Am I not allowed to have friends?”

Carter said, “You should be mindful of timing and boundaries when you make friends.”

Rhea laughed. “You should take your own advice.”

If this counted as crossing a line, then what he and Lauren did was outright disgraceful. Just then, Arielle chimed in, “It was our uncle, Dad. He’s really nice.”

Carter froze. “Uncle?”

He clearly didn’t buy it. He figured that Rhea had just told the kids to call the person that.

So the person Rhea knew was really a man? And one she could call, and he would show up right away.

Something twisted in Carter’s chest. He asked, “Why didn’t you tell me that your brother was here?”

Rhea didn’t want to discuss her personal life with him. “Weren’t you busy yesterday?”

When she showed up yesterday, he was at the hospital with Lauren and Chloe. So, what difference did it make whether she told him or not?

Knowing that she was still upset, Carter suggested, “Why don’t you invite him tomorrow to celebrate the kids‘ birthday together?”

“No need,” Rhea said flatly. “He already left.” To prevent him from pressing further, she added, “I’m starting work the day after tomorrow. The kids will be with Alisha.”

“Work?” Carter frowned. “Where?”

“I found a job just to pass the time.” Rhea didn’t elaborate as she had no interest in telling him more.

At that moment, the front door opened again.

“Sweeties, guess what I brought you?” Lauren showed up with something in her hands.

The once warm and peaceful atmosphere shifted, and the kids‘ expressions dropped immediately.

Carter got up and took the bags from her, “You shouldn’t be carrying heavy things in your condition.”

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Chapter 28

+25 BONUS

Upon hearing that, Rhea didn’t feel the slightest bit of anger. She just found it utterly ridiculous.

“I’m happy to do anything for my children.” Smiling, Lauren walked over to the table. “Oh, is that my favorite seafood pasta?”

Carter paused, instinctively glancing at Rhea. She was calmly wiping Arielle’s mouth. Her own plate of pasta was still untouched.

Adrian pressed his lips together and said, “Too bad. We’ve already finished it.”

They had, in fact, already split the portions. There was nothing left.

Lauren’s smile froze, and Carter noticed. So he said, “I’ll have someone make more.”

“It’s fine. I already ate.”

Lauren then turned to Carter. “My grandma’s coming over. She got in touch with some old friends from Colburn and sent them invitations. They’ll be here tomorrow to celebrate the kids‘ birthday, and she can catch up with her friends as well.”

Carter gave it a thought and said, “Sounds good.”

Then, Lauren sat down. “Arielle, Adrian, I’m going to work after your birthday.”

Work? She was going to work too?

The kids stayed quiet.

Lauren smiled. “I’ll work hard and earn money to buy you snacks. But don’t worry. I’ll get off work on time. Your dad wouldn’t dare make me work overtime anyway.”

Carter added, “Your mom’s working at my company. A secretary’s schedule is flexible. It makes it easier for her to take care of you two.”

It turned out that Lauren was going to work as Carter’s secretary.

The way he said it, it almost seemed like it was meant for Rhea to hear. In that instant, whatever lingering affection Rhea had left for Carter vanished.

She had made the right decision by taking the job at Scott Group, Jamison Group’s biggest rival.

Carter spoke again. “Rhea, maybe you shouldn’t work. The kids need someone around. What if the school needs to reach a parent-”

Before he could finish speaking, Rhea interrupted coolly, “Aren’t you two capable of looking after them?”

Lauren asked, “Rhea, have you talked to Carter about going back to work? I mean, I can help take care of the kids, but I don’t have much experience.”

It seemed that the two had suddenly remembered that the kids needed to be cared for. What happened to all that drama from yesterday about not wanting them to leave?

Carter disapproved of Rhea going back to work. “Don’t do this just to spite me, You’re an adult. Think things through before you act.”

“Fine,” Rhea said, crossing her arms and staring straight at them. “If I’m expected to act like their mother, then let one of the kids take my last name.”