I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 601

Almost instantly, Lauren could tell what Carter was thinking. She slammed a hand against the table, startling him and the kids, making them turn to look at her.

She exasperatedly said, "Come on, they're already eight. It's not that big a deal for them to occasionally eat something unhealthy, right? It's not like having a bite of a kebab is going to make them burn up and land them in the hospital with an IV drip. Are they made of glass or what?"

She grabbed two kebabs that weren't spicy and stuffed them into Arielle's and Adrian's hands. "Eat! This restaurant is pretty hygienic, and I've eaten their food since I was young. The meat is fresh, and they're grilled on an electric stove, so they're cleaner than most. If you don't like the oil, just have the maids dab some of it away."

The children were taken aback. Then, as Lauren watched them expectantly, they bit into the kebabs.

"Is it good?" Lauren asked.

They nodded vigorously. "Yeah. Thanks."

She flicked a hand. "Don't worry about it."

She grew upset when she saw that Carter's brows were still furrowed. "Don't make me scream at you on such a wonderful day. Why the long face? Go to sleep if you're not going to join us. We'll enjoy the food."

Carter rarely had supper, but the kebabs smelled too good to resist. So, he joined them. "What was the good news you mentioned?"

Lauren had several sticks of kebab and half a glass of beer before she delved into her story. She told them in detail everything she had seen and heard that day. Her voice was animated with excitement.

Arielle and Adrian listened to her, wide-eyed and captivated.

Lauren didn't mention Rhea much, though. She was worried that they would be upset thinking about her. This was supposed to be a good day, after all.

Her mouth was dry after talking nonstop for over ten minutes. She concluded, "Kate must be in some big trouble. Otherwise, she wouldn't have made me such a generous offer. I bet she's thinking that I'm a fool for agreeing to help her just like that. Take it from me—knowing what she's like, there's no way she'll give me what she promised, even if I did help her."

Lauren patted her chest proudly at his question. "Uh-huh! Pretty impressive, right?"

Then, she pushed some non-spicy chicken wings to the kids, her tone instinctively softening. "Dig in. There's plenty of food."

Carter couldn't help zoning out for a moment when he saw her being so gentle to the children. Yet, a second later, he narrowed his eyes. "You're not colluding with Kate to hurt my children again, are you?"

Lauren froze and turned to stare at him. For a moment, the living room fell silent. About ten seconds later, a cushion appeared out of nowhere and flew toward Carter.

Then, Lauren screeched, "You're an absolute moron, Carter! Have zombies eaten your brain or something?"

Two minutes later, Lauren stormed out of the house with her unfinished beer. It was late at night, yet she walked out without a backward glance, saying breezily, "Goodbye! From now on, we’re strangers!"