I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 222

Chapter 222

+25 BONUS

Lauren poured glasses of water for the other women while saying, “Outsiders are just not privy to certain information. Everyone thinks that someone else raised the kids, but I know better than anyone how much I love them. Would any mother not love their children? I just couldn’t be with them daily because I had cancer.”

“Cancer?”

“Yeah. I went abroad for my treatment, but my heart was back at home with them. I missed them so badly, and I was out of my mind with worry each time they fell sick. All I could do when I longed for them was to look at their photos. I occasionally had video calls with them, but they didn’t seem to like me much. I don’t know why,” Lauren said.

Logically speaking, everyone would think that Rhea had driven a wedge between her and her

children.

Lauren fanned the flames and laughed forlornly. “Maybe it’s because they adore their stepmother so much. I guess I should be relieved, really.”

One of the women, blunt as ever, cut in. “If that’s the case, why did you tell everyone at Mrs. Cain’s birthday celebration that you raised the children yourself? I don’t think I misheard you.”

The other women turned to shoot her incredulous looks. Was she actually bold enough to call Lauren

out like that?

Marcus had made it clear that they were to play nice with Lauren to knock the Ravelle family down a peg or two. Their husbands worked with Marcus, so that naturally made the Ravelles and Sniders

their rivals.

They were happy to see Rhea embroiled in a scandal, but that didn’t mean they would genuinely accept someone whose position was as awkward as Lauren’s into their fold.

Maintaining the peace on the surface was one thing. So, why was this woman poking at Lauren’s sore spot?

Lauren was taken aback by the question. “Did I say that?”

“Didn’t you? You even said the kids had weak constitutions and allergies because they were overprotected,” the woman said flatly.

Lauren’s expression turned awkward.

The other women quickly switched the subject. One asked, “Sweethearts, how are you getting on with life in Draventh?”

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Chapter 222

+25 BONUS

Arielle looked up and said, “It’s okay.”

The lady asked, “Is it because you don’t like this place?”

Arielle thought about it. “We’re happy when Mom is with us and unhappy when she isn’t.”

She and Adrian had been overjoyed during the few days they’d been with Rhea. They had also been pleased to have Ruby and Liam with them.

But now that they were home, they barely cracked a smile. Carter had been busy since coming to Draventh, so Lauren was the only one at home with them. She was supposed to spend time with them, but instead, she just went about her own things and ignored them.

One of the women said, “And you were saying that they don’t cling to you. Look at that!”

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