I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Rhea hated that logic.

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Her parents had never told her that. Every birthday growing up was filled with joy and celebration. To them, it was a day to be grateful that their precious girl had grown another year.

Why turn a day so worth celebrating and remembering into something painful?

So Rhea said firmly, “Please don’t say things like that to the kids. Of course they should be grateful to their mother for bringing them into this world. But birthdays are meant to celebrate their arrival. It’s the most special day of their lives, not a day of sorrow.”

Chloe clearly hadn’t expected Rhea to challenge her. “Hey! I’m their great–grandmother. I—”

Standing at the side, Carter reminded, “Rhea, Mrs. Thayer Senior is an elder. Watch your tone.”

As Rhea looked at him, the ache that had been buried in her chest came rushing up. Wasn’t she already numb? So why did the disappointment still hit so hard?

Rhea forced herself to stay composed and walked over to play hostess to the women who had come to the party.

Meanwhile, Lauren was grateful for Carter but couldn’t get a single word in.

Still, a few people had gathered around her, mostly old friends from back when she and Carter were still together.

“Don’t be upset, Lauren. A stepmother is still just a stepmother. The kids are young. It’s natural for them to stick by her side for now. Once they’re older, they’ll know where home really is,” one of them comforted her.

“Exactly. I’ve never heard of a stepmother who outranks the birth mother. Don’t take it personally.”

Lauren smiled. “It’s nice having you guys here.”

One of the women leaned in, whispering, “I could tell that Carter still cares about you. You two…”

Lauren blushed. “Don’t be ridiculous. He has a family now. We’re just doing this for the kids.”

“Some things should simply be returned to where they belong.”

Returned to where they belong…

Lauren glanced across the yard.

Rhea carried herself with grace and ease, fully at home with the etiquette expected at a formal setting.

Lauren started to wonder if Rhea had really grown up in some rural town.

“Lauren, you used to play the piano beautifully. We haven’t heard you play in ages. It’s the twins‘ birthday. How about you play something?” Peter suggested.

He had never quite accepted how things turned out, and he still thought that Carter and Lauren were a better

match.

He believed that anyone with a shred of decency would know when to step aside and not shamelessly cling to someone else’s husband and children.

Lauren said modestly, “Oh, I’m not that good. It’s been years. I’m probably out of practice. I’d just embarrass myself.”

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Chapter 31

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After some thought, Peter said, “Mrs. Jamison, why don’t you play something? Carter has always been a fan of classical music. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you play.”

Carter, sitting with the other male guests, looked over when he heard those words.

With Rhea’s background, how could she possibly have learned to play the piano?

It wasn’t that he was defending her. But if she embarrassed herself, it reflected poorly on him, too.

So, he said, “Let’s not. Rhea’s probably exhausted from organizing the party.”

But Rhea looked at the twins. She had indeed never played for them before, as there hadn’t been a piano in the house before, since the kids didn’t take lessons.

But after Carter’s company went public, he had a grand piano brought in just for events like this and placed it in the corner of the living room.

Now that they were about to divorce, she figured that she should play something for Arielle and Adrian.

She turned to a maid and instructed, “Bring the piano over.”

Carter frowned. He didn’t know what she was doing. He walked over and, while no one was paying attention, quietly said to Rhea, “Don’t embarrass yourself. We’ve got many guests here.”

Was he afraid she would embarrass him?

Rhea met his eyes. “You know Lauren likes seafood pasta and that she’s a clean freak. But do you know anything about me? In our six years of marriage, do you even know what I like and what I’m good at?”

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