I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 23

Chapter 23

When Carter remained silent, Lauren gently wrapped her hand around his arm. “Let’s go to our new place tonight and cook a nice dinner with Grandma. We can have a proper family meal. Don’t send the kids back just yet. Their birthdays are the day after tomorrow anyway.”

Chloe nodded. “Yes, Carter. You should stay too. Let’s celebrate together.”

However, Carter hesitated.

Every year, it was Rhea who planned their birthday from start to finish. If the kids stayed here…

Arielle’s eyes were starting to droop. “Dad, we want to celebrate with Mom.”

Smiling, Lauren said, “Mom’s right here, sweetheart.”

The words had barely left her mouth before Arielle’s body tilted forward and collapsed.

“Arielle!” Carter shouted.

“Arielle!”

“She’s running a fever of nearly 104 degrees Fahrenheit! How did none of you notice?” The doctor’s voice was sharp with worry.

Carter was filled with guilt. “She looked-”

“You can’t tell if a kid’s sick by looking!” the doctor snapped. “She called for her mom when she passed out. Where is her mother?”

Lauren jumped in. “I’m here. I’m her mom!”

But Adrian immediately objected, “She’s not!”

Carter gave him a warning glare. “Adrian.”

Arielle had fainted without Rhea around. Adrian stood there all alone, protectively shielding her and refusing to let anyone come near.

He wasn’t scared of Carter’s warning. He stood his ground stubbornly. “She’s not our mom! Doctor, can you help us call our mom?”

The doctor instantly tensed and turned to Carter. “What does he mean by that?”

Carter had no good answer. He turned and stepped outside to call Rhea.

Meanwhile, Lauren kept wiping away her tears, but Adrian didn’t feel the slightest bit sorry for her. After all, it was her and Carter’s carelessness that caused Arielle to faint in the first place.

Rhea was driving home through the rain when her phone rang.

Carter didn’t even say hello. He simply said, “Come to the hospital now.”

Rhea was already beyond numb. She honestly couldn’t understand how Carter, who was almost 30, somehow managed to land the kids in the hospital every time he had them.

Chapter 23

Gritting her teeth, she slammed her foot on the gas pedal. “What happened?”

“Arielle fainted from a high fever.” This time, Carter actually sounded guilty.

+25 BONUS

40 minutes later, Rhea rushed into the hospital. “Where is she?”

Carter frowned. “What took you so long?”

She nearly slapped him right there. “It’s raining. Are you blind?”

Carter’s face darkened, but he said nothing.

They found Arielle’s ward, and Rhea hurried to the bed.

Arielle was awake but looked weaker than she had the day before. She had a cooling patch stuck to her forehead and an IV drip in her hand.

When she saw Rhea, she mustered a tired smile. “Mom, you’re here.”

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