I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

“Nathan was there too,” George lied. “He asked me to bring you something.”

The thought that Nathan still cared made Rhea fight back tears.

George studied her, thinking that she had changed.

The determination and confidence she once had in her eyes used to shine so brightly.

“I’ll be in Colburn for a while. If you need anything, just call me.”

Rhea lowered her gaze and said, “Thank you, George.‘

11

After getting out of the car, she said goodbye and started walking back on her own with arms full of gifts.

She looked delicate, but she carried all those bags like they were nothing.

Edward got back in and remarked, “Ms. Ravelle’s stronger than she looks.”

He had no idea that Rhea had held a child in each arm for six years. Compared to that, a few bags were nothing. Besides, they were from Nathan. Rhea didn’t want anyone else touching them.

George watched her walk away. These were things he couldn’t tell Nathan. That man would do anything for his sister. If he lost control, he might take actions Rhea couldn’t handle.

“Let’s go,” George said. “Take me to Scott Group.”

Although George hadn’t invested in Jamison Group during his last visit, he did choose Scott Group–Carter’s biggest rival.

Back home, Rhea sorted the gifts and stored them away before video calling Maeve.

Maeve looked pleased. “See? Your family still worries about you. Stop overthinking it. No parent ever truly disowns their child.”

“I know.” Rhea was smiling for the first time in days. “By the way, I’m about to start job hunting.”

She had made up her mind to gradually break away from Carter and from the home that never truly felt whole. “Do you have any targets in mind? Do you need me to connect you with anyone?” Maeve asked.

“No need. I promised the kids I’d be home at night, so I have to find something here in Colburn. I did some digging. Scott Group’s not bad. It’s decently sized and has good prospects.”

Maeve blinked in confusion. “Wait, didn’t you once mention that the Scotts and Jamisons are sworn enemies?”

When the Jamison family went under, the Scotts had made it worse.

Rhea’s expression didn’t change. “Yeah.”

Maeve’s jaw dropped.

Along with the shock, there was genuine happiness for Rhea. It seemed that she was truly determined to leave Carter this time!

Chapter 10

+25 BONUS

“I used to consider everything from his perspective. I raised the kids for years without ever complaining. And in the end? Well, you saw what it came to,” Rhea said calmly.

Maeve hesitated. “But if the Scotts figure out who you are, do you think they’ll hire you?”

Rhea began working on her résumé. “If they’ve got any brains, they won’t say no.”

“Alright, then. I’ll be waiting for good news!”

Rhea was never one to waste time. She polished her résumé with zero fluff, laid out her past experience clearly, and sent it straight to the Scott Group’s recruitment inbox.

She closed her laptop and looked out the window.

That summer in Colburn, the rain felt endless.

Rhea figured once she got back into her field and spent one last birthday with the kids, she could finally divorce Carter in peace.

To her surprise, not even two hours after she sent out her resume, Scott Group’s HR called and asked if she could come in the same day for an interview.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify