I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 427

George asked Rhea if she liked him, not if she loved him. He wasn’t that self–absorbed. He didn’t dare overstate things.

Even though he would exude pride and authority around other men, he never did so in front of Rhea.

Over the phone, she could sense his caution and fear. This was something she had never picked up from Carter.

In relationships, comparisons were inevitable.

Although Rhea would never consciously compare Carter with George, her subconscious still weighed the good and the bad.

Like now, George feared losing her. Carter never did.

With Carter, Rhea’s efforts were expected. But with George, they became debts he felt compelled to repay. Everything she gave him, he would return twofold.

Yet, past experiences had made her cautious about opening up recklessly.

“George.”

He paused for a moment. “Yes?”

“I like you. And I’m trying to love you too.”

George closed his eyes, thinking that it was perhaps enough.

“Rhea,

I don’t want to hide anything from you.”

She said, “Let me guess. Did you have a fight with your mother?”

George didn’t deny it. “Yeah.”

“I’ll give you time to take care of it. I won’t interfere. And I promise, it won’t affect us.”

At that moment, George felt the weight of all he owed her. “Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me?”

“Because you didn’t have to understand me, but you did,” he replied. “Give me a little time. It won’t be long. I’ll marry you after that, okay?”

His tone was tentative, careful not to push too hard.

Rhea held back a laugh. “There’s no rush.”

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Chapter 427

With that, they hung up.

Neither of them slept that night.

+25 BONUS

The next day, Rhea went home. She asked Philip, “Where’s Nathan?”

“He’s in the study.”

Nathan had his own busy schedule, too.

When she entered the study, Nathan was indeed in the middle of a meeting. Rhea slipped in quietly.

Nathan noticed her but didn’t say anything, only gesturing for the executive giving the report to speed it up.

Half an hour later, the meeting ended. Nathan approached Rhea, and the siblings sat on separate

couches with a small tea table between them.

Rhea poured Nathan a cup of tea. “Elena.”

Nathan’s eyelid twitched. “What?”

“I said Elena,” Rhea repeated. “What are you trying to do with her?”

“What do you mean?”

Rhea frowned. “Don’t make me think you’re like Carter. That wishy–washy attitude makes me sick.”

“What are you talking about? Do you really think I’m that kind of man?” Nathan’s brows furrowed.

“Your attitude isn’t much different,” Rhea shot back.

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