I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 61

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Chapter 61

Rhea dropped the trash bag. Her fingertip was bleeding. She tore the plastic open and pulled out a few very thin needles from the clothes inside.

She let out a cold laugh. So, this was the kind and gentle Lauren Carter that Lauren Carter talked about?

Rhea had never claimed to be a saint, but she had been raised by parents who had instilled a moral compass she

was proud of.

If Lauren were truly a woman burdened by hardship, forced by circumstances to leave her children, then Rhea would treat her like a cherished guest upon her return.

But the moment Lauren returned, it was clear that she had only one person in her sights–Carter. She said that she missed the kids, yet to frame Rhea, she deliberately dropped the glass jar that contained the body lotion and cut Arielle’s foot.

What kind of mother would do that?

Rhea put everything back in the bag and called for a household staff member.

Devan personally came to attend to her. “Yes, Mrs. Jamison?”

He noticed the redness in her eyes and felt a pang of ache in his chest. He couldn’t do much, but he could at least carry out her instructions well.

“Keep this. Give it to Carter when he gets home,” Rhea said. “And throw everything of mine from the walk–in

closet.”

He wondered if Rhea was leaving.

Devan wanted to stop her, but he was just a butler, after all. He thought that Rhea was such a wonderful person, yet Carter…

“Go,” Rhea said softly. Her whole body felt heavy.

It was already 7:30 pm. Her birthday no longer seemed worth celebrating.

By 8:30 pm, the house started to fill with voices.

Carter and Lauren returned with the two kids, along with a few of the old friends Lauren had invited.

The house grew busier, but somehow it felt increasingly unfamiliar.

Rhea didn’t come down.

The moment Lauren walked in, she started giving orders. “Have the kitchen prepare something for our guests.”

But the maids didn’t move as they only took orders from Carter and Rhea.

“Where’s Rhea?” Carter asked.

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“Upstairs,” a maid replied.

Just then, Devan stepped forward, holding a box in his hands. “Mr. Jamison, Mrs. Jamison asked me to give this to you. Would you like us to throw it out?”

He had peeked inside it earlier and saw the torn photo, so he waited until there was a crowd before handing it

over.

Even he could tell that none of the household staff would have dared touch that photo. There was only one likely

suspect.

Lauren, supported by one of her friends, glanced over curiously. “What is it, Carter?”

Mia came over, too. She assumed that it was some petty stunt Rhea pulled to win Carter back.

Devan opened the box.

Everyone nearby leaned in to look. As soon as it was opened, the torn photo on top immediately caught everyone’s eyes.

Lauren flinched.

“Dad! That’s our family picture! Why is it ripped up?” Arielle recognized it and quickly took it out of the box.

Carter’s face darkened. “You and Adrian didn’t do this?”

“No way! Why would we rip up Mom’s face?” Arielle replied.

Lauren’s lips trembled as she said, “Carter, it’s Rhea’s birthday. It’s getting late. Shouldn’t we get started with the cake?” (1

She had completely forgotten to clean this up when she moved out of the master bedroom.

However, Devan wasn’t done. “Mr. Jamison, this bag should be Mrs. Jamison’s clothes. There are a few needles placed inside.”

Devan had felt the bag earlier and thought it contained clothes, so he hadn’t opened it. But when he saw a few needles poking out, he began to suspect something.

“I saw that Mrs. Jamison had a band–aid on her finger earlier. Who was careless enough to leave needles in her clothes?” Devan asked, looking toward the maids.

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“Upstairs,” a maid replied.

Just then, Devan stepped forward, holding a box in his hands. “Mr. Jamison, Mrs. Jamison asked me to give this to you. Would you like us to throw it out?”

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