I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 143

This was Draventh, not Colburn. Carter was sure that these people wouldn’t show him any respect.

Valerie set down her glass and told Rhea, “Let’s go back to our seats at the main table.”

At the same time, Liora leaned over to whisper to Rhea, “Your parents just arrived.”

Rhea looked up. Some last–minute issues had delayed Liam and Ruby.

The three women left together.

Stanley, however, didn’t move. He kept his eyes on Lauren. The message was clear. If she didn’t leave, they would keep watching her.

Lauren could no longer bear it. She rose and quickly left the Donovan residence.

Stanley gestured politely, “Mr. Jamison, please return to your seat.”

Carter had no choice. Leaving now would offend the Donovan family. Suppressing his anger, he returned to the men’s section.

Lauren, now alone in the car, couldn’t stop her tears. She felt as if her entire lifetime of dignity had been shattered that day.

And the culprit behind it all was Rhea!

Back at his seat, Carter sent a message.

“You publicly humiliated Lauren today without regard for me. There’s nothing left between us. We’ll

file for divorce as soon as we return to Colburn.”

At the main table, Ruby immediately spotted Rhea approaching. She suppressed years of longing and tears, pretending to be casual. “Rhea, come to me!”

Meanwhile, Liam studied Rhea seriously. He noticed that she had grown thinner, much thinner. His heart ached, but he couldn’t show it.

Outsiders had no idea that Rhea was married. They simply thought that she had gone abroad for

work and travel.

“After all these years away, Rhea has become more composed and graceful,” Luciana said, smiling. ‘ You won’t be leaving again, right?”

Rhea squeezed Ruby’s hand under the table. “Yeah, I won’t leave again.”

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with her family and friends all in Draventh, she would never leave again.

*25 BONUS

Two hours later, the banquet ended.

The Ravelles gathered in a private lounge.

Rhea finally saw the message Carter had sent and felt nothing. She suddenly remembered how resolute she had been back then. She had been wrong

Raising her head, she saw Ruby’s reddened eyes and Liam’s disappointed gaze.

In the center of the floor, Rhea kneeled before them.

Nathan instinctively reached to help, but restrained himself.

Realizing her mistake, she said, “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry. I didn’t make you proud.”

She kneeled with a clear conscience, without a single word of regret. All she felt was that she had let down her parents‘ love and trust.

Ruby’s tears fell instantly. Her lips trembled as she said, “Since you’ve realized your mistake, go and make it right.”

“Mom…” Rhea’s guilt surged like a tidal wave. “Dad…”

As Liam looked at her, his anger crumbled in the face of his heartbreak. He moved forward and lifted her. “You’ve suffered all these years, haven’t you?”

Rhea shook her head violently through her tears. “No, not at all!”

She didn’t want her parents to worry anymore.

“What do you mean, no?” Nathan gritted his teeth. “That Jamison guy actually brought another woman today!”

A harsh light flashed in Liam’s eyes as he asked Rhea, “Will you stay at home tonight?”

“Yes.”

As Liam spoke, he gave the driver a look. “Good. You head back with Nathan first. I have a few things to handle with your mom.”

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