I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 223

Chapter 223

“Since you two like Rhea so much, why don’t you just tell your dad to let you go live with her?” Lauren snapped, her anger boiling over.

She thought darkly to herself that if Adrian and Arielle weren’t going to help her, they might as well disappear. This would prevent a rift between her and Carter and keep people from giving her strange looks.

“Why? This is our home. If anyone should leave, it’s you,” Arielle said, suspicious that Lauren was trying to chase them out.

“I should leave?” When Lauren looked at Arielle, all she felt was disgust.

If she had known the twins would turn out like this, she wouldn’t have brought them into the world. She believed it was better never to have had them at all!

Smiling, Lauren took a couple of steps forward. “Your dad bought this villa for me, and it’s in my name. Arielle, Adrian, you’re now living under my roof. Do you know what that means? It means that you have to follow my rules.”

This was her villa?

Arielle’s eyes brimmed with unease.

Lauren bent slightly and continued, “Do you understand me? I’m your birth mother. And I always will be. You’ll only live comfortably if you take my side and help me. So what if you like Rhea? She’ll never let you live at the Ravelle residence.”

Scarlett stepped forward. “You two need to be sensible. Don’t always embarrass your mom in front of outsiders.”

Arielle, as smart as she was, didn’t argue. She was scared that if Lauren or Scarlett laid a hand on her or Adrian, they would have nowhere to run.

Lauren smiled again. “When your dad gets back, know what to say and what not to say. You’re old enough to differentiate that. And if I’m unhappy, I have ways to ensure that you lose the comfortable life you have now. Got it?”

Lauren wasn’t in the mood to coddle them. She figured that threats were simpler.

Arielle and Adrian understood that Lauren was warning them not to tell Carter about what had happened.

“Now, do you know what to say when you’re around others?” Lauren asked.

Arielle bit her lip.

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Chapter 223

+25 BONUS

Lauren slowly said, “Tell them that I’m your favorite mother and that I’m the closest to you. Not Rhea. Most importantly, I’ve always cared for you ever since you were babies.”

She knew that these kids had sharp memories and could mimic whatever they heard. She was sure that they would remember.

Arielle nodded.

“That’s my good girl,” Lauren said, then turned and left.

Arielle and Adrian ran straight to their room and locked the door behind them.

“What do we do, Arielle?” Adrian felt that Lauren seemed more evil by the day.

“I’m not listening to her,” Arielle said firmly. “When Dad comes home, we’ll tell him everything. Mom said that he only has us. He would never give up on us. We just can’t argue with that woman.

We don’t want her to hurt us.”

Adrian agreed. “Okay!”

That evening, Carter returned home, smiling.

“Carter.” Lauren was already waiting at the door. She said gently, “Dinner’s ready. Would you like

some?”

“I already ate,” Carter replied.

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