I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 67

Just then, Lauren seemed to recall something. She said, “Carter, I know that my parents have offended some people in the past, which led to others badmouthing me. The Scott family, for example, and those who have recently appeared. They’re all trying to smear my past. I really…”

She brought this up on purpose to plant a seed in Carter’s mind, just in case he heard anything in the future. That way, he wouldn’t take the words of others at face value.

Carter asked, “You mean the people from Aethermark Sanctuary?”

“And that man who just came to deliver gifts to Rhea. He also mentioned that I had connections with nobility or something like that.”

Lauren lowered her head before continuing, “I really have no one now and have no power to clear my name. But I understand that they’re just trying to defend Rhea. You shouldn’t take it to heart or get mad over it.”

“Exactly, Carter.” Mia suddenly came running downstairs to back her up. “That guy who brought gifts to Rhea claimed that Lauren has connections with nobility.

“If she really had those connections, would she have lived such a rough life all these years? I’m sure that Rhea put them up to it to slander my dear sister–in–law.”

Lauren gave Mia a grateful look.

However, Carter wasn’t focused on her explanation. What really stood out to him was the way Mia addressed her. He questioned, “Who are you calling your sister–in–law?”

Mia froze. “Carter, it’s just us here. You don’t need to keep pretending. We all support you getting back together with Lauren.”

Lauren smiled softly and squeezed Mia’s hand while Carter frowned. A realization suddenly hit him. Maybe he really had been too close to Lauren, so much so that it gave everyone, including Rhea, the wrong impression.

But then again, when he thought about it, he didn’t feel he had done anything inappropriate. He thought that women would just overthink everything.

Still, Carter decided to set the record straight. “Mia, don’t say things like that again. I’m thankful to Lauren, but whatever feelings we had are in the past. Rhea is your sister–in–law now.”

Lauren felt her chest tighten when she heard Carter mention that it was all in the past. She wondered then if he had truly moved on.

But they had two beautiful children together, and they had grown up together. How could he just move on like

that?

…

That night, Carter couldn’t fall asleep.

“Yes, Mr. Jamison?”

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Chapter 67

+25 BONUS

It was 2:00 am when Carter called Devan over.

“Where are Rhea’s things?” Carter asked.

The master bedroom cabinets were empty, and even the walk–in closet no longer held any of Rhea’s clothes. Traces of her life still lingered, but everything that belonged to her was gone.

Devan, who had been drowsy, suddenly perked up. “Mrs. Jamison told us to get rid of everything.”

“You threw everything away?”

After much hesitation, Devan finally spoke his mind. “Mr. Jamison, I’ve been here for many years. This house went from having nothing to being full of guests, and that’s all thanks to Mrs. Jamison.

“You can’t just dismiss everything she’s done simply because Ms. Thayer is the children’s birth mother. That would be truly disheartening.

“Look at it from another angle. You mind the presence of Mr. Snider, don’t you? So imagine how Mrs. Jamison feels about Ms. Thayer.”

A nerve in Carter’s mind suddenly pulled taut.

He said, “But she’s been hiding things from me. I didn’t know before, but I do now. Perhaps she never intended to stay with me forever. Otherwise, why would something like this be enough to make her want a divorce? If she wants to leave, I won’t stop her. This family won’t fall apart without her.”

The more he told himself that, the darker Carter’s eyes grew.

Indeed, he had made some mistakes. But was Rhea completely blameless?

Chapter 68

Chapter 68