I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 266

Chapter 266

Lauren clenched her hands so tightly that her palms burned.

Arielle’s words had nearly blocked every path for her. Lauren hated that young girl with a fierceness she couldn’t contain.

She then turned to Carter and chose her words carefully. “If that’s the case, then I won’t explain any further. Justice will speak for itself. Even if I’m not close to Arielle and Adrian, I’m still their mother. A parent wouldn’t harm their own child.”

“You’re using them.” Devan couldn’t tolerate her pretense.

“You’re trying to manipulate Mr. Jamison with old feelings, hoping he’ll go easy on you. However, your effort with the kids is only a third of what Mrs. Jamison has done. And yet you continue to blame her for teaching them the wrong things. Why should anyone think that you care for the kids?

“Just because you’re their birth mother? Let me tell you something. Raising a child is much harder than giving birth!”

Those words hit Carter like a thunderclap, echoing relentlessly in his mind.

They said a finger could repay a mother who gave life, but didn’t raise, a life could repay a mother

who

gave

birth and raised, but a foster mother’s debt could never be fully repaid.

Regret washed over Carter in a tidal wave. Scenes from the past replayed vividly in his mind–Rhea staying up late night after night to care for the children, calmly questioning them again and again, and quietly holding back tears time and time again.

Six years of tireless devotion earned her the title of a competent stepmother.

What about Lauren? She had just given birth to them, and she vanished right after. For the past six years, she hadn’t done anything for her children.

Yet, she expected to be more important than Rhea?

At that moment, Carter felt that he had made a grave mistake.

Rhea, a stepmother, never once tried to use the kids to win him over. But Lauren actually thought that they were useless to her and wanted another child.

“Carter, don’t misunderstand me. I know I haven’t been perfect with the kids, but I’m learning. You have to give me time,” Lauren said.

Devan cut in, “Mrs. Jamison never gave birth, yet she cared for the children so well because she put in so much effort and thought. And you? You only cling to Mr. Jamison. When he’s not home, all you do is sleep, change clothes, and look in the mirror. When have you ever learned to be a mother?”

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Chapter 266

“Stop trying to drive a wedge between us!” Lauren snapped.

Carter quietly maneuvered his wheelchair to the living room.

+25 BONUS

After Devan helped him onto the couch, he lit a cigarette. His mind was flooded with thoughts of

Rhea.

Six years together, and she had never known a life of ease. Every day, she devoted herself entirely to the children.

But Lauren, as the birth mother, had taken her title for granted, enjoying privileges without putting

in the work.

When it came to devotion, no one could match Rhea, not even Carter himself.

It was as if a veil had been lifted. Carter could finally see the truth clearly.

With the cigarette between his fingers, his hand trembled slightly.

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