I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Oddly enough, it made Carter compare the two women. And at that moment, he thought that Rhea really had been overly emotional these past few days.

He never judged people by background, but sometimes, he felt that someone’s upbringing did shape their perspective.

The difference between Lauren’s and Rhea’s characters was now painfully clear.

Rhea finally looked up. “No wonder Carter praises your language skills, Ms. Thayer. You managed to pin everything that has happened recently on me in just a few words.”

“Rhea,” Carter said suddenly. His tone sounded like a warning.

Rhea felt like a knife had been driven into her heart all over again as a searing pain tore through her.

She turned her head slightly, catching Carter in her peripheral vision. “Please remember that you’re a father in front of the kids. Don’t give me another reason to lose respect for you.”

That hit Carter’s pride. “What have I done wrong as a father?”

Arielle suddenly said, “Dad, why do you always defend other people instead of helping Mom? If I follow your example, should I start helping the bullies at school pick on Adrian?”

Arielle’s question left Carter suddenly speechless.

Lauren bit her lip and bent down toward the kids. “Sweeties, how about I join you for breakfast?”

Adrian frowned. “No need. We already have our mom.”

Lauren looked hurt. Her carefully hidden sorrow didn’t escape Carter’s eyes.

She stood up and plastered a strained smile on her face. She said, “I’ll just go change. You guys eat.”

Once she was gone, Carter glared at Rhea. “Rhea, maybe you should set a better example, too.”

Rhea suddenly stood up. Her tone was calm, but a faint tremble was audible in her voice. “Carter, why do you treat me like a stepmother but expect me to act like a birth mother?”

“Stepmother?” Arielle grew agitated. “Mom, who’s the stepmother?”

Rhea kept her eyes fixed on Carter. She didn’t scream or raise her voice. She simply sounded confused. “Have I not done enough for you and the kids all these years?”

He said nothing. Naturally, he had never thought that Rhea hadn’t done enough. But in his eyes, her inability to tolerate Lauren meant that she lacked grace.

“I’m only asking once. Have I ever wronged you?” Rhea asked.

After a long silence, Carter replied, “No.”

Rhea took a step back, and her brief smile carried a hint of sorrow. “Good. That’s all I needed to know.”

With that, she walked out.

Carter frowned. “Where are you going?”

“I have things to do.”

Chapter 15

+25 BONUS

“The kids are home.”

Rhea paused, fighting the urge to turn around. “You and Lauren can watch them for a day.”

A few seconds later, her figure disappeared through the doorway.

The two siblings at the table sat there in a daze.

Arielle snapped out of it first. “Dad! Mom just left! Go after her!”

Feeling exhausted, Carter sat down. “It’s fine. She doesn’t know anyone in Colburn. She’ll be back once she cools down.”

His stance was unequivocal.

Arielle panicked. “But she didn’t bring an umbrella!”

As she said that, she jumped from her seat and ran out. Alisha chased after her.

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