I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 287

Chapter 287

Rhea fell quiet.

If Adrian hadn’t had that accident, she and Carter would probably already be divorced.

She planned to file a lawsuit against Carter the next day, using his infidelity during their marriage as grounds to push for a direct divorce ruling.

By then, his agreement wouldn’t matter.

At the balcony door, Kate came looking for Rhea, only to catch sight of the way George was looking at Rhea. That kind of deep, gentle affection was far too rare for him.

Frowning, Kate turned and left.

“Ease up on the drinking. I’m going home,” George said.

Rhea didn’t answer.

About five minutes later, she spotted him in the courtyard.

He wore a tailored jacket, his presence steady and composed as he walked calmly through the wind and snow.

With a cigarette between his fingers, he looked up at Rhea on the second floor.

Under the glow of the porch light, he didn’t seem as unapproachable as usual.

George lifted a hand. “Say ‘see you again‘ to me.

Rhea blinked in surprise, then couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Well, that’s specific.”

He exhaled a puff of smoke. “I don’t like the word ‘bye‘.”

He always hoped that they would see each other again.

Her lashes fluttered. Still, she waved. “Drive safely.”

George turned, waving his hand with his back to her to show that he had heard her.

That night, Rhea drank herself into an easy, carefree haze. Maybe it was because she was finally about to cut ties with Carter, or maybe it was just the alcohol.

But unfortunately, she woke up with a fever the next morning.

Ruby hadn’t seen Rhea all morning. By 10:00 am, she went upstairs, only to find Rhea burning up,

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Chapter 287

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barely conscious.

It must have been from standing too long on the balcony after George left.

Ruby rushed to call the family doctor, Nicholas Barker.

Rhea’s fever was climbing close to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Her whole body was scorching hot, yet she slept on.

Rhea wasn’t sure how much time had passed before voices pulled her halfway awake.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw her bedroom full of people–her closest friends, Nathan, and George, who was the first to notice she was awake.

George’s brows were drawn tight as he hurried to her bedside. “You’re awake? How are you feeling?”

His worry was so apparent that even Ruby and Liam noticed. They exchanged a glance, but neither of them spoke.

Rhea’s throat was dry and sore. As she shut her eyes, tears slipped from the corners. Suddenly, she pushed herself up and leaned over the side of the bed, looking as if she were about to throw up.

Nicholas quickly said, “Ms. Ravelle, we should get you to the hospital.”

Rhea hated getting injections, which was why Ruby hadn’t rushed her to the hospital. Instead, she called Nicholas to the house, had him give Rhea some medicine, and used physical cooling to bring

her fever down.

Rhea waved a hand. “No… No need…”

But her retching wouldn’t stop. Just watching her like that was painful.

“Get up,” George suddenly said.

She raised her head. “What?”

Before she could react, she felt a sharp pain in her arm. The next thing she knew, George had lifted her up along with the blanket.

He strode out the door and said firmly, “Nathan, get the car.”

It took Nathan a beat to process the situation before he hurried after them.

Outside, snow had fallen heavily overnight, blanketing everything in white.

Rhea was lowered gently into the car. Her lips were pale, and every breath she exhaled was hot with

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