I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

“Why wouldn’t a birthday be a big deal?” Arielle wrapped her arms around Rhea and said sweetly, “I want to thank Grandpa and Grandma for giving birth to Mom. That’s how Adrian and I got the best mom in the world!”

She could tell that Carter had let Rhea down again.

Chloe said, “Arielle, your birth mother is hurt. You and Adrian should go visit her at the hospital.”

Visit that lady? Neither Arielle nor Adrian looked thrilled about the idea.

But Carter was there.

A sudden idea lit up in Arielle’s mind. She could go to the hospital with Adrian and bring Carter back home.

So, she nodded. “Okay!”

Adrian didn’t seem to get it, but Arielle had already grabbed his hand and charged toward the foyer. She exclaimed, “Let’s go to the hospital!”

It was the first time the kids had shown such enthusiasm, and Chloe was overjoyed. “Quick, get the car ready! Take my precious grandkids to visit their mother!”

Devan glanced at Rhea, then reluctantly went to make the arrangements.

Rhea didn’t know what the kids were planning. Even though she knew that Lauren was their birth mother, seeing them so eager to visit her stung a little.

Nevertheless, she wasn’t angry because she knew that the children would be with their biological parents sooner or later. She believed that she was just a passing presence in their lives.

Alisha helped the kids into the car and accompanied them, leaving Rhea to sit by herself in the house. To her left, in the sitting room, Chloe and Tyler’s family sat together, chatting and laughing. She couldn’t have felt more out of place.

Dinner had been reheated multiple times.

“Mrs. Jamison, should we warm the food one more time and set the table?” Devan asked.

Carter wasn’t home, but Rhea still had to eat.

Before Rhea could respond, Chloe cut in, “No need. It’s been reheated too many times already. It won’t taste good anymore. Have the kitchen make something fresh and send it to Lauren. She’s hurt. She needs something nourishing.”

Devan frowned without even realizing it. Since when did a Thayer have a say in this house? Especially when Chloe and Lauren were clearly up to something.

Devan ignored Chloe completely.

Rhea stood up and instructed, “Throw it all out.”

Devan asked, “Would you like a slice of cake instead?”

1/2

Chapter 60

Rhea didn’t even turn around as she said, “Throw it.”

She no longer wanted to believe in Carter’s empty promises, let alone hear them.

Back in the master bedroom, Rhea started packing up the rest of her things.

+25 BONUS

Everything else had already been boxed by the maids and placed in a wardrobe inside the walk–in closet. She didn’t dare clear out everything at once, fearing that the kids might notice and make a scene.

She opened the nightstand drawer. The photo of all four of them together was still there. But the frame was cracked, and the photo had been torn apart. The pieces were shoved messily inside.

Her image, in particular, had been shredded into several segments.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify