I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

A maid suddenly knocked at the door. “Mr. Jamison, Ms. Thayer just left.”

Carter turned sharply. “She left? Where to?”

“She said she was moving out.”

Upon hearing that, Carter didn’t even say a single word. He left Rhea behind and rushed out the door without a second thought.

Rhea stood there, feeling nothing. Two days had passed, and she had come to terms with the truth that Carter didn’t love her.

The pain was sharp, but the truth wasn’t hard to accept. After all, there was no deep love between them to unravel. If there was no love, then it was better to part ways.

She only grieved one thing. Why did it take her six years to realize this?

Just then, two heads poked through the doorway.

“Mom! Time to eat!” Arielle and Adrian said in unison.

Looking at them, Rhea felt as if her heart were being torn in two. She forced a smile and said, “Alright.” But the cold rising inside her made that smile stiff and bitter. Nevertheless, facing the two children she had raised, she had to pretend everything was fine. She couldn’t bring herself to let them get caught in the crossfire.

Outside the neighborhood, Carter drove after Lauren and quickly caught up. Her eyes were red–rimmed as she fought back tears, watching him step out of the car.

This was the man she had once dated, then become engaged to, then borne children with. But the one sharing his bed now wasn’t her. It was another woman.

“Why the sudden move?” Carter walked toward Lauren.

Lauren looked down. Her voice was hoarse and flat as she said, “I don’t want you fighting with Rhea because of me. It’ll only make the kids reject me more. Don’t worry. I’ll find a job and live my life. I just hope I get to see the kids from time to time.

“Carter, I really do love you, and I love my children. But I don’t want to be a third party in their eyes.”

The breeze picked up, and leaves rustled around them. The rain came without warning, tapping against the dry ground.

Carter stared at her and said, “We weren’t fighting. Rhea just wanted to talk.”

Lauren frowned. She had heard the whole conversation. They had talked about divorce, and Carter still said it wasn’t a fight?

It seemed that he was defending Rhea. That realization stung more than Lauren had expected. She forced a smile and said, “I’ll get going now. Take care of yourself.”

“Where will you go?”

She looked toward the empty road ahead. Rain started to soak her clothes. “I’ll find a job. I’ve still got a

Chapter 14

+25 BONUS

grandmother, after all. I need to work hard and make money for her. One day, maybe I can bring her to Colburn, and who knows, she might even get to meet her great–grandchildren.”

Carter remembered that Lauren’s grandmother lived in another city.

Lauren stood there all alone. Thinking back to the pride and confidence she once carried, and seeing the contrast now, Carter felt a growing sense of unease.

He stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “I’ll arrange a job for you at my company. As for housing, I’ll have a place ready for you and your grandmother tomorrow. Stay in Colburn.”

Those words made Lauren look up. Her eyes shimmered with tears. It wasn’t gratitude or joy she felt. It was disbelief.

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