I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74

+25 BONUS

Back when Rhea lived with her parents, she was bold and carefree. But after marrying Carter, she had no more time for afternoon tea in Draventh, foreign desserts, jewelry exhibitions, or art auctions.

Baby supply stores became her most frequently visited places. Her phone’s shopping apps were filled with recommendations for kids and family essentials.

So much time had passed, and she could barely recall being the cherished heiress everyone once adored.

Now, with no early wake–up calls and no August school prep looming over her, she finally felt like she could breathe again.

Maeve said, “Rhea, people always say that we shouldn’t break up a marriage, but I’ve never thought that Carter was the one for you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a man or a woman. If they can’t even recognize how much you’ve given, then you’ll never be seen.”

Every time Maeve thought about how Rhea had spent six years as a stepmother, her heart ached.

Rhea had raised those kids by herself from such a young age. Two of them, no less. Maeve couldn’t imagine how exhausting that must have been.

And yet, Carter believed that Lauren mattered more simply because she had given birth to them. She thought that he was such an ungrateful bastard.

“Dump him and go back to living like the queen you are,” Maeve said.

Rhea smiled faintly. “I want to try making it on my own first.”

Whether it was marriage or her career, she had to step out and try it for herself.

She had gambled once and lost. She couldn’t rely on her parents‘ support forever.

Just then, the drinks arrived. Rhea took a bottle and cracked it open.

A smile tugged at her lips, and behind her eyes, a fire was slowly coming to life. “I’m going to take Scott Group to the top and make sure that Carter never rises again.”

Maeve nodded firmly. “That’s right! He doesn’t get to walk away clean. We’ll see how long Lauren sticks around once his money’s gone.”

Anyone with half a brain could see Lauren had her own agenda.

The moment the Jamison family went under, she disappeared. But as soon as Carter’s company went public, she came crawling back.

Her motives couldn’t be more transparent.

…

Three hours later, the villa was buzzing with energy.

“Rhea!”

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Chapter 74

+25 BONUS

“There she is!”

“Oh my God, my queen!”

Three of Rhea’s closest friends had shown up. Each of them was a real socialite from Draventh, born into privilege and power.

Among them was Kate Pearson–one half of Draventh’s renowned star duo, alongside Rhea.

Her father was a local magnate, her mother came from a political dynasty, and her uncles all held military titles. Even so, they were still a notch below the Ravelle family.

Rhea’s uncle was a regional commander, her grandfather was a major general from the founding era, and her grandmother was one of the country’s most renowned heart surgeons.

Not to mention, Liam was a top official in Draventh, Ruby was the only daughter of a southern porcelain tycoon, and Nathan was a rising star in the city’s business world.

With a background like hers, Rhea was more than qualified to be the respectable wife of a notable official. Yet, she ended up as a stepmother and wasn’t even valued for it.

“We didn’t dare reach out these past few years,” Kate admitted.

Although Liam and Ruby hadn’t publicly announced Rhea’s marriage, her friends had known about it, but they had kept quiet.

The women there that night were the ones who truly cared about Rhea.

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