I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 348

Chapter 348

“Mr. Jamison, we’re here,” Glen said.

Before heading to the Ravelle residence, Carter had one more stop to make–a cafe.

“Arielle, Adrian, wait here for me,” he instructed.

Arielle and Adrian nodded obediently.

They knew that they were going to get Rhea to forgive Carter. In the past, just seeing Rhea would have made the siblings so happy that they would have been practically dancing with joy.

But that day, there was no joy on their faces.

Carter, determined as ever to follow through with his plan, didn’t notice it. He stepped out, pulled on a mask, and entered the cafe.

Looking at the rearview mirror, Glen asked, “Ms. Arielle, are you upset?”

Arielle lowered her head. After a long moment of hesitation, she replied, “I don’t want Mom to make up with Dad.”

She had read the news article and learned that Rhea had a new boyfriend and looked genuinely

happy.

Arielle and Adrian knew that they couldn’t be selfish and try to claim Rhea for themselves. After all, she wasn’t their birth mother. She deserved the best.

But Carter… wasn’t exactly a good choice. At least, not for Rhea.

Arielle was mature for her age. She was wise enough to tell right from wrong.

Inside the cafe, in a private room, the air smelled faintly of coffee. Behind the table sat a poised beauty in a short coat. Her long hair was pinned neatly with a clip.

“Mr. Jamison,” Kate greeted. She smiled but remained seated.

Carter approached and pulled off his mask. “It really is you.”

He wasn’t sure if it had really been Rhea’s best friend who called last night until he saw her in person.

On the phone, Kate’s tone had been tinged with melancholy. She had asked him to meet the next day

at a cafe to talk about Rhea..

Carter was full of regret now. He needed to know everything about Rhea.

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Chapter 345

+25 BONUS

“What would you like to drink?” Kate asked.

“Just water,” he replied. “Now, what did you want to tell me?”

He wasn’t in the mood for coffee.

Kate’s expression was soft, and her voice was gentle as she said, “I just felt so bad for Rhea that I couldn’t bring myself to reach out to you.”

“What happened to her?”

“Honestly, I had a very poor impression of you. By all rights, I should have sided with Rhea and kept you two apart. But she’s not doing well.” Kate sipped her coffee.

Carter’s anxiety spiked. “Not doing well, how?”

“I’m often with her. Now and then, she mentions you and even goes through old photos of the two of you. And she misses the kids so badly that she would sometimes cry. I’m frustrated with her for not moving on, but I can’t bear to see her in pain. If you still care about her, you need to find her and comfort her.” Kate’s gaze was sincere as she spoke.

Carter could tell that Kate was being resistant toward him, which made him believe her words.

Nevertheless, doubt crept in. He asked, “But isn’t she dating George now?”

Kate sighed. “It’s not real. She’s just trying to force herself to forget you, and her family pushed her to find someone socially suitable. After everything that happened, she was angry and needed to vent. If she truly had feelings for George, you wouldn’t have even been involved back then.”

Carter perked up. “Are you serious?”

Kate stared straight at him. Her eyes held a trace of coldness, as if she were exasperated.

“I got it.” Carter clenched his fists.

Since Kate was close to Rhea, he figured that her words had to be true.

Rhea had chosen George for her family’s reputation and to spite him. There was never any real

emotional connection between them.