I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 80

Mia didn’t know what was going on. After all, Lauren had just said that there was no rush in getting herself checked out by a doctor. She thought that it was weird.

Upon hearing that, Rhea pulled her hand away from Carter’s and slowly stood. “I won’t go home. I’ll return to my own place.”

She had initially planned to say that she wouldn’t be keeping this baby. But the words died in her throat the moment she saw Lauren.

If Lauren wanted to play these petty mind games, Rhea didn’t think that she needed to tolerate it much longer. Since Lauren loved to act so much, she would play along.

“Your place? Where’s that?” Carter asked.

Rhea didn’t bother hiding it. “Westvale Villas.”

Kate and Carolyn remained silent as they observed from the sidelines.

Lauren chimed in, “Rhea, you’re pregnant? That’s wonderful! I was worried that you might refuse to keep the baby just to spite Carter. I was even prepared to talk some sense into you. Fortunately, you’re so reasonable and mature about it.”

So, keeping the baby made her reasonable? And getting an abortion would be immature?

Carolyn arched a brow. “Rhea, who’s your new friend here? Care to introduce us?”

Rhea flicked a glance at her. “This is Lauren Thayer, the birth mother of my two children.”

“Ah, Ms. Thayer.” Carolyn stepped forward, smiling as she shook Lauren’s hand. “I’ve heard so much about you.

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Lauren blinked in confusion. They had never met.

Carolyn promptly cleared that up. “I’ve always wondered who would abandon two adorable children for years. Now I see. Fortunately for you, Rhea has always insisted that you’re a wonderful mother. Anyone else might assume that you ran off because Mr. Jamison was too poor for your tastes back then.”

Lauren’s gaze wavered. “Oh, please. I left because I was sick. It would’ve been selfish to drag Carter down with

me.”

As she spoke, her gaze flickered over Rhea.

Carolyn was surprised. “You’re sick? Is it serious? My parents and brother are doctors. They can help.”

Lauren turned her face away. “No, thank you. I’ve recovered.”

Desperate to change the subject, she asked Rhea, “Rhea, so you’ll be resting up for the pregnancy?”

She wondered if Rhea was really keeping the baby.

Rhea met her eyes and lied smoothly, “Of course. This baby came just in time.”

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Carolyn crossed her arms. “Ms. Thayer, Rhea spent years raising your kids. The sacrifices she made are unimaginable. Now that she needs to rest during her pregnancy, why don’t you return the favor and take care of her?”

Kate usually avoided meddling in personal affairs. But this time, she didn’t rein in the hot–tempered Carolyn. After everything Rhea had endured, a few sharp words were the least Lauren deserved.

Lauren froze. “…”

She looked to Carter for help. However, his attention was fixed on Rhea’s abdomen. He didn’t even glance her

way.

“Of course.” Lauren smiled. “Words can’t express how grateful I am to Rhea. If she needs me, I’ll gladly help.”

Carter finally snapped out of it. “You’re in no condition. Your foot hasn’t healed.”

“It’s fine, Carter. I have experience. I’ll take good care of Rhea.”

Lauren was the picture of selfless devotion, and Carter admired that. His tone softened as he said, “Focus on recovering first. The kids need their mother.”

Rhea had heard enough. She grabbed her bag and said, “Carolyn, Kate, let’s go.”

Carter called after her, “Are you heading to Westvale Villas? I’ll stop by later.”

Without answering him, Rhea turned and walked away. She had already scheduled the abortion procedure with her doctor the moment she found out about the pregnancy.

Once they were out of earshot, Carolyn said, “I’ll have my sister–in–law handle the surgery.”

Kate nudged her and warned, “Cool it.”

It wasn’t that she wanted to persuade Rhea to keep the baby. She simply felt that this was a decision Rhea needed to make for herself.

Carolyn gaped. “Rhea, don’t tell me you want to keep the baby.”

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