I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 59

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Chapter 59

+25 BONUS

Chapter 59

Lauren quickly said, “I–I swear I printed it right. Ms. Huber offered to help. Maybe she messed something up. Should I reprint it?”

“Forget it,” Carter said. He was hoping to finish early and get back to celebrate Rhea’s birthday.

Lauren pressed her lips together, then suggested, “Carter, why don’t we invite all our old friends over tonight? You mentioned earlier that Rhea doesn’t have many friends, right? They’re all around her age. I’m sure they’d get along.”

Carter hesitated for a second. Indeed, Rhea really didn’t have much of a social circle. He ultimately said, Alright. You go ahead and reach out.” 1

Lauren smiled brightly. “Okay!”

She then opened WhatsApp and sent invites to all her former best girlfriends and classmates.

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At 3:00 pm, Carter was already packing up his things.

“You’re leaving work this early?” Lauren asked.

Carter picked up his phone and said, “It’s Rhea’s birthday. I want to head home a little earlier to be with her.”

Lauren parted her lips and joked, “Carter, a man should focus on his career. Didn’t we already plan a dinner tonight for her birthday? Don’t let people think that you’re scared of your wife. That wouldn’t look so good, would it?” 2

“It’s not just for her birthday. There are some things I want to discuss with her. Rhea’s got a knack for business.

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He even wanted Rhea’s input on work?

Lauren’s fingers clenched tightly at her side. “Alright, then.”

They stepped into the elevator and rode it down to the underground parking garage.

As they exited, Lauren’s heel suddenly got caught in a drainage grate.

Suddenly, an idea came to her. She glanced at Carter, who was walking a few steps ahead. Gritting her teeth, she deliberately sprained her ankle.

She yelped, “Ab!”

Carter turned at the sound. Lauren’s ankle looked clearly dislocated, and her shoe heel had come off.

“What happened? You weren’t watching your step?”

“I–I was hurrying to catch up with you. It really hurts…” Lauren’s face had gone pale, and cold sweat dotted her forehead. She didn’t appear to be faking it.

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Chapter 59

+25 BONUS

By 4:00 pm, Lauren and Carter were in the orthopedic department.

Lauren insisted on getting every test imaginable, as if terrified of any lasting issues. “Carter, I don’t want this to become a permanent injury, so I’m being cautious.”

The tests would take over two hours to come back.

Carter nodded. “Better safe than sorry.‘

After all, if Lauren hadn’t been following him, she wouldn’t have gotten hurt in the first place.

After two hours of waiting, it was already 6:00 pm.

Surprisingly, the few friends Lauren had invited that afternoon actually showed up at the hospital one after another.

“Are you okay? This looks serious.” The woman speaking was a classmate of both Lauren and Carter.

“If you’ve got such a kind heart to plan someone else’s birthday, maybe try taking better care of yourself. Now look, you’re hurt this badly.”

Lauren gave a soft, delicate smile before saying, “I’m fine. I was just helping out a little. Besides, Carter’s here taking care of me.”

Just then, Carter’s phone rang. It was a video call.

“Dad, it’s so late! Why aren’t you home yet? Did you forget Mom’s birthday?” Arielle asked.

Carter frowned. “I didn’t-”

Lauren, perhaps deliberately, raised her voice and interrupted, “Arielle, I sprained my ankle. It’s pretty bad. Your dad’s with me at the hospital.”

Her words were unmistakably clear. Rhea, who was sitting across from Arielle, heard every single word.

Carter quickly said, “Arielle, tell your mom that I’ll be home as soon as I’m done here.”

Arielle pouted and looked back at Rhea. The latter glanced at the custom cake that had been delivered two hours ago. Somehow, it seemed like all its flavor had long since faded.

Carter had broken his promise to her again for Lauren.

Mia overheard this and chimed in, “Lauren, you got hurt? Carter, you had better take good care of her!”

Chloe, ever concerned, added, “That’s right, Carter. Lauren’s injury comes first. Birthdays aren’t that big of a deal for young people.”