I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

In the past, Carter would throw a birthday party for Rhea. He would invite friends and business partners. But this year, Rhea didn’t want the fuss.

Since they were on the verge of divorce, she didn’t think that there was any point in celebrating.

“Oh? Is it Rhea’s birthday tomorrow? Well, since I’m here, I can help decorate the place,” Lauren offered.

Because everything happened so suddenly, no one had really prepared anything. Carter wasn’t planning to invite any business partners this year–maybe just a few close friends.

Rhea replied calmly, “No need for that. I’ve got work tomorrow. I probably won’t even be home.”

She found a casual excuse to turn it down.

But Lauren insisted. “Oh, come on. You need to celebrate your birthday. You just focus on work, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Rhea frowned ever so slightly. “Tyler, Leah, you two should get some rest.”

“Sure, sure,” Tyler replied.

Rhea chatted with them briefly, then went upstairs to be with the kids. At this point, the only thing keeping her in this house was them.

Once she was gone, Leah turned to Tyler, scowling. “Why are you being so polite to her?”

“She’s Carter’s wife,” Tyler replied, confused.

“Wife?” Leah lowered her voice. “Did you not see Lauren here? What do you think that means?”

“What do you mean? She’s… the kids‘ birth mother. It’s normal for her to visit.”

Leah thought he was just plain stupid. “Visiting is one thing. But living here as if it were her house? I think Carter still has feelings for Lauren. They might get back together. Stop being so nice to Rhea. If Lauren ends up with Carter, we don’t want to be on her bad side.”

The Jamison family’s future now rested with Carter. So, they couldn’t afford to offend him.

And at the moment, Lauren looked more like the lady of the house than Rhea did. They needed to be smart about their stance.

At that thought, Leah tugged Lauren aside warmly, “You should have some rest. Don’t wear yourself out. I’ve always thought that you and Carter were a perfect match. It’s funny how life brings people back together.”

Lauren’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, Leah, don’t say that. I just missed the kids and came to see them.”

As she spoke, her gaze drifted toward Carter. It carried a trace of shyness.

But Carter said flatly, “Aunt Leah, Rhea is my wife. Please don’t say things like that again.”

Leah froze, and Lauren’s smile stiffened at the corners.

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Chapter 54

Leah said, “Ah, right. It wouldn’t be good if Rhea heard that.”

+25 BONUS

Later, after Carter went to his room, Mia grumbled, “We came all this way, and Rhea barely says a single word to us. What kind of attitude is that? She’s nothing like you, Lauren. I’ve always loved you best. I still wish you were my sister–in–law.”

Lauren gave her a soft smile. “What matters most to me is that Carter’s happy.”

“You’re way too kind. I’ll always root for you, my dear sister–in–law,” Mia whispered.

Upstairs, Rhea quietly entered the master bedroom and began setting up to sleep on the couch.

“What are you doing?” Carter asked as he walked in.

Without turning, Rhea replied, “I don’t think it’s right for us to share a bed anymore.‘

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