I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 78

Even if everyone said that she was their birth mother, neither she nor Adrian liked her.

Without saying anything else, Arielle walked straight out of the room. She felt a little dizzy, but she ignored it and went to find Carter in the living room.

Lauren quickly grabbed her crutch and followed her down.

“Dad.”

Carter turned around when he heard her voice. “Come, have your breakfast.”

But Arielle didn’t move. She just looked up at him.

Lauren walked over slowly.

Arielle bluntly asked, “Dad, are you going to have a new baby with someone else?”

Lauren wanted to stop Arielle from asking, but it was already too late.

Carter looked confused. “Where’s this coming from?”

“She said she wants to give us a young sibling,” Arielle said, pointing right at Lauren.

Lauren quickly explained, “Arielle, don’t talk nonsense. That’s not what I…”

Carter glanced at her, then picked Arielle up and sat her on his lap.

Chloe took that as her cue. “Carter, having another baby with Lauren might not be such a bad idea. The three kids could keep each other company, and it might bring more harmony to the family.”

It was clear that Chloe already saw Carter getting back together with Lauren after separating from Rhea as the natural next step.

“Dad…” Arielle looked up at Carter anxiously.

Carter said immediately, “You’ve got it wrong, Arielle. That’s not what your mom meant. I think she was just talking about finding a playmate for you.”

However, Arielle wasn’t buying it. “No, that is what she said. She said that Mom has moved out, so she’s going to give us a young brother or sister.”

Upon hearing that, Carter cast a displeased glance at Lauren.

“Carter, I only said it to comfort her. I didn’t want her to feel upset. She’s still recovering, after all.” Lauren grew

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Chapter 78

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uneasy.

“Dad, just tell me. Is it true? Are we really going to have a new brother or sister?” Arielle pressed, clearly anxious.

Carter pressed his lips into a thin line.

Just then, the phone on the table rang. He picked it up. “Hello?”

“Carter, I just saw your wife in the OB–GYN department at our hospital. Is she okay? Do you need any help?” Aiden asked.

He was an anesthesiologist in the OB–GYN department. He had just seen Rhea in line, waiting for her turn.

“Rhea’s at the OB–GYN?” Carter’s expression shifted. “Can you check what she’s there for?”

“Give me a second,” Aiden said.

Lauren heard Carter’s words and felt her heart drop.

It seemed that Rhea went to the hospital and the OB–GYN department, no less. Lauren wondered if Rhea was really pregnant.

After a moment, Lauren saw Carter’s eyes widen. He set Arielle down and stood up quickly.

“I’m going over there right now. Whatever she’s doing, stall her if you can,” he said. He didn’t even bother with more details before heading for the door.

Lauren panicked and reached for him. But in her rush, she fell to the floor and cried out in pain.

“Lauren!” Mia ran over to help.

Carter turned back. “You need to be more careful!”

Lauren gritted her teeth, clearly in pain. “I think I twisted it again…”

Without saying another word, Carter lifted her into his arms. (1)

“Let’s go to the hospital.”

On the way, Lauren ignored the pain in her ankle. After some hesitation, she finally asked, “Carter, who did you say was at the hospital just now?”

“Rhea,” he said, his eyes full of something unreadable. But that tiny flicker of excitement in his face didn’t escape Lauren’s notice.

He hoped Rhea was pregnant.

Lauren’s hands were clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

This time, Chloe and Tyler’s whole family had come along to the hospital.

Chapter 78

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“Carter, didn’t we just pass a hospital?” Lauren noticed that the car drove past one without stopping,

Carter didn’t even glance at her. “We’re going to the one Rhea’s at. Might as well get your ankle checked there, too. Drive faster.”

The driver stepped harder on the gas.

Seeing how tense he was, Lauren forced a smile. “Carter, don’t be so nervous. You’re acting like it’s your first time being a dad. I remember you were just like this when I first found out I was pregnant.”

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