I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 110

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“Those two kids…” Lauren looked heartbroken. “They’re so rude. I scolded them a little, and they got all upset. And now I’ve realized that they even lie sometimes. What should I do?”

Carter frowned. “They lied?”

“I scolded them a little, and they went running to Alisha, saying I hit them. I adore them so much. If I could, I’d make up for every single year we’ve lost. Why would I ever lay a hand on them?” She looked drained as she continued, “They’ve already been taught all the wrong things.”

“They really said that?” Carter went straight upstairs.

Lauren hurried after him. “Please, don’t be harsh with them.‘

Carter entered the kids‘ room.

Arielle ran straight into his arms. “Dad, I want a hug!”

Seeing her like that made Carter’s chest ache. He scooped her up with one arm and took Adrian’s hand with the other, sitting them both down.

“Did you have a fight with your mom?” he asked.

Arielle replied, “Dad, she hit Adrian.”

Adrian nodded. “Yeah, she did.”

Upon hearing that, Carter took a deep breath. “Arielle, Adrian, I know it’s hard for you to accept your birth mother right now, but you can’t lie. If something’s wrong, talk it out. Have you forgotten about that?”

“We’re not lying!” Arielle said firmly.

Lauren’s tears flowed even harder than theirs. “All I told you was that if you ever needed something, come to me. Rhea has her own life now, and she’s not coming back. And you two got upset and pushed me. What do you want me to do?”

“That’s not what happened!” Arielle shot back. “Dad, she glared at us and told us that she’s our only mom from now on. Adrian got scared and pushed her a little, then she smacked him hard.”

Adrian added, “Yeah, she also called us ungrateful brats.”

Lauren froze for a beat, thinking that their memories were too sharp.

Ungrateful brats?

Carter’s expression darkened. “Did you say that?”

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Chapter 110

“How could I ever say something like that to them?” Lauren’s eyes brimmed with hurt. “They’re the ones who called me a witch. It’s just impossible to justify myself.”

Arielle’s eyes went wide. She couldn’t believe that this woman was lying right to their faces.

“Dad, we never called her that! She just came in and glared at us…” Arielle’s cheeks flushed from . frustration.

Lauren sniffled. “Forget it. I won’t try to get close anymore. You’re my babies, and I could never be mad at you. Let’s just drop it.”

Her sorrowful act was convincing.

Carter frowned. “Apologize to your mom.”

“We didn’t do anything wrong! Why should we apologize?” Arielle immediately stepped back, pulling away from his arms.

Adrian asked with grievance, “Dad, why don’t you believe us?”

Alisha felt an unbearable pang of heartache. “Mr. Jamison, maybe you should look at Adrian’s back-

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Lauren’s eyes flickered with panic. She quickly clutched her stomach, cutting Alisha off. “Carter, my stomach hurts so bad…‘

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