I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 598

Kate wanted to leave but couldn't. She couldn't stand the thought of revealing any grievance or weakness before Rhea and the others. At the same time, when she remembered that they were already certain that she was miserable, she wanted to just pass out.

She told herself to stay strong. After taking a deep breath, she put on her best, most proper smile and asked, "Ms. Ravelle, Mr. Snider, what would you like to drink?"

Even under such circumstances, she could delude herself into thinking that maybe Rhea and the others thought that she was being like this because she loved Sawyer deeply.

Rhea answered the question, and Kate turned to get the liquor, feeling absent-minded. Her plan to ask for help had fallen through. If she had to beg Rhea or Lauren for help, she would rather be dead.

As for George…

Before everyone sat for dinner, Kate brought the dishes to the table. She tried her best to play the role of the perfect wife so that Rhea and the others wouldn't notice something was wrong and make fun of her.

However, Sawyer shattered the illusion she tried to craft. He said, "You can remain standing. If our guests need anything, you can get it for them."

Then, he turned to their three guests. Acting like the perfect gentleman, he said, "Mr. Snider, Ms. Ravelle, and Ms. Thayer, please take your seats."

Kate remained rooted to the spot, feeling like her legs had been filled with lead. She couldn't move at all.

Sawyer…

She had genuinely loved him, so everything he was doing to her now made her feel like she was being stabbed in the heart. It was a bloody mess by now.

She didn't know why he had become like this.

"Wouldn't it be inappropriate for us guests to eat away while Mrs. Burton is on her feet?" Rhea asked.

Sawyer shook his head. "She's legally my wife, but that's all she is."

She couldn't stand Sawyer's words, though. They were far too hurtful. He seemed to be deliberately trampling on her weaknesses and stabbing her where it hurt.

If she'd known things would end up like this, she never would have told him so much about what bothered her.

Kate remembered telling Sawyer plenty about her genuine thoughts buried deep within her. For instance, she'd told him that she was deathly afraid of her former friends looking down on her, especially Rhea.

She'd also told him that she wanted to make sure her life was better than Rhea's. She wanted those so-called friends to know that she could create a blissful life through her own efforts. The list went on.

Thanks to that, Sawyer now had plenty of leverage over her.

Kate thoroughly regretted opening up to him.

"Did I say you could speak?" Sawyer asked in return. His question made her feel like he was stomping all over her dignity.