I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 265

Chapter 265

Carter questioned if that was really something a mother would say.

Tears welled up in Lauren’s eyes. “Carter, I can’t even defend myself. I have no proof. Are you really doubting me over his words? Do you really have no trust left in me?”

There was a time she had his complete trust. He believed in her over Rhea. But ever since Peter told him about Lauren slashing her own hand, she had hidden things from him again and again.

Carter pulled out his phone. “Ethan, check my account. See if there has been a three–million–dollar transaction recently.”

Lauren panicked. She hadn’t expected him to review the transaction history. If he did…

“Carter, don’t bother,” she said quickly, forcing a bitter smile. “Indeed, I owed Holly three million dollars. Back then, I couldn’t afford treatment, so I borrowed the money from her. When she mentioned it the other day, I rushed to pay her back.”

Carter asked, “Why didn’t you say so just now?”

“Isn’t paying back a debt just common sense? Why would I even bring it up?”

Carter stared at her. “So, everything Devan said is true? You thought ten million dollars from me was too little? Some old man used to give you eight million dollars a month? And the kids are just tools in your eyes?”

Tools for what? To drive a wedge between him and Rhea? To push Rhea away?

At those thoughts, a chill ran through him. He even had a doubt. He wondered if he had done something wrong.

“Carter, you-”

“Don’t touch me,” he said, his eyes icy.

Lauren’s heart skipped a beat. “Devan and Rhea are clearly scheming against us to drive a wedge between us. Otherwise, how did those photos from home get out? He has no good intentions! How could you actually fall for his trap?”

Devan protested, “But I never tried to use or hurt anyone. Since you came back, you’ve kept saying how much you missed the kids. But do you really? It’s been such a long time, and you don’t even remember what they like to eat. A mother who truly cares about her children wouldn’t act like this!”

Arielle chimed in, “You only came back to steal Dad and push Mom out! You don’t really love us. You think we’re ingrates and only yell at us. You just want to cling to Dad. You never actually cared about

us.”

Chapter 265

+25 BONUS

Adrian added, “When Dad’s not home, you scare us. When he comes back, you suddenly act like you love us.”

Lauren staggered back, disbelief written across her face. Scarlett rushed to steady her.

“H–How could you side with an outsider to smear your own mother?” Lauren looked heartbroken.

Devan said, “One person’s words might be false, but the kids are old enough to know who truly cares for them. You’ve pulled this same act countless times. Haven’t you had enough?”

“Carter, I really—”

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