I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317

+25 BONUS

Lauren figured that if Elena sided with her, she would at least have a prominent heiress willing to believe in her. She would still have a chance to save herself.

Sharon said, “I texted her, but she hasn’t replied. Maybe she’s busy. I’ll try again.”

Later, after Sharon left, Lauren stared at the court summons and smiled bitterly. She had always known that Carter was a pragmatic man. However, she had thought that she was special to him, seeing as they had children together and were each other’s first loves.

Now it was clear that profits outweighed everything in Carter’s eyes.

As for apologizing to Rhea… A sinister smile slowly spread across Lauren’s face.

Early the following morning, Sharon called Lauren, sounding excited. “Lauren, Elena said that she would visit you at the hospital this afternoon!”

Lauren’s heart leaped. “Really?”

This was great news!

Elena was a renowned heiress in Eryham, and her family was influential. And so, Lauren had to think of a way to get Elena on her side.

Lauren didn’t bother with makeup. Instead, she made herself seem even frailer.

At around 2:00 pm, Elena walked into the hospital room with her bodyguards. She had a fruit basket with her, which she set down.

“How did you end up here?” she asked.

Lauren acted like she wanted to get out of bed to welcome Elena, but the latter waved her back. “Stay in bed and rest.”

Lauren lay back down and smiled sadly. “There were signs that my condition would flare up again.”

Elena frowned. “A cancer relapse?”

“Not yet. I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to forgo treatment so I could keep the baby. But a few things happened, and… I lost the baby…” Lauren started weeping.

Elena stared at her, unable to understand one thing. Why was it that Lauren couldn’t wait to pour out her misery whenever they met? Elena wondered if she looked like a trash can. After all, why did Lauren want to tell her every single miserable thing in her life?

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Chapter 317

+25 BONUS

If not for the faint connection from their younger years, Elena wouldn’t even have bothered coming.

She said, “Taking care of yourself should be your priority.”

“I want to, but trouble won’t stop cropping up,” Lauren said tearfully. She paused, waiting for Elena to ask what she meant so she could spill the details of the terrible things Rhea had done.

Unfortunately for her, all Elena said was, “Oh. Well, you need to learn to let go. Your mindset plays a big role in this.”

Lauren was taken aback. Wouldn’t people usually ask about what had happened?

Elena did ask about something, but it wasn’t what Lauren wanted to hear. “You said that you were pregnant. Then, do you have a boyfriend?”

Lauren bit her lip. She couldn’t answer that question!

Elena’s eyes glinted with mockery, realizing that Lauren was trying to use her. She thought that Lauren was so shameless!

Sharon said, “Ms. Austin, I’ll be frank with you. Lauren was pregnant with Carter’s child. They’re deeply in love, after all. But Rhea refused to let go of Carter and forced him to make Lauren get an abortion.

“Lauren was willing to risk her own life to keep the baby, yet Rhea was so cruel… I honestly can’t understand how a woman like her is lucky enough to be born into a family like that.”

Lauren seized the opportunity to shed a few tears. “I can understand that Rhea only acted like that because she grew up pampered and spoiled. I just feel awful for my unborn child. I was looking forward to meeting my treasure…”

Elena blinked in confusion. Then, she said bluntly, “So, you were pregnant with a married man’s child. You ruined someone’s marriage. And now, you’re blaming the man’s wife for getting mad?”

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