I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 77

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Chapter 77

At the villa, Rhea had been tossing and turning for hours. Clutching the pregnancy test, she wore a conflicted look. Her period was almost a week late.

Rhea hesitated when she saw Carter’s name flashing on the screen. After a long pause, she finally picked up. Her tone was cold as she said, “Hello?”

There was silence on the other end.

Carter took his time before asking, “Where are you?”

“Is there something you need?”

He just repeated his question, “Where are you?”

Rhea gave him an address.

“I’m coming to you.”

Coming to her? At this hour? Why?

Even if he wanted to talk about divorce, it didn’t have to be in the middle of the night.

“This isn’t a good time. Whatever it is, let’s talk tomorrow.”

She hung up without waiting for a reply.

Carter stared at the call screen as it went dead.

Not a good time? What could she possibly be doing this late that made it not a good time?

He wondered if Rhea had really cheated on him. The second that thought took root, something dark and dangerous flickered in his eyes.

How could Rhea betray him? 1

Just then, the door to the guest room on the second floor creaked open.

Lauren’s annoyed voice broke the silence. “Where’s the maid? What’s taking so long with the late–night snack?”

Her voice echoed through the empty living room below.

Carter’s mood instantly soured even more. “Can’t you ask your own staff to do it?”

Startled by his voice, Lauren nearly lost her footing. “C–Carter, you’re still up?”

She hobbled to the railing, and from where she stood, she could just barely make out Carter’s silhouette in the sitting room downstairs.

Maybe it was the alcohol talking, but his voice was cold as he questioned, “Didn’t you say that your ankle hurt so bad that you couldn’t sleep? Funny how you still have the energy to laugh so loud.”

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Chapter 77

Lauren’s expression froze. She had been watching a variety show in her room. Had he heard her?

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After a moment, Lauren made her way downstairs with her crutch. She cautiously asked, “Carter, is something bothering you?”

Carter looked at her with slightly reddened eyes. “Did you even spend any time with the kids tonight? If Rhea were here, she’d never leave their side.”

At this moment, it was like he could finally see how thoughtful Rhea had always been.

Lauren quickly explained, “Carter, I haven’t been in the best mood lately either. Watching variety shows is the only thing that cheers me up. I just don’t want my low spirits to affect the kids.

“I wanted to check on Arielle, but she goes silent the moment she sees me. I was worried that I’d make her uncomfortable, so I didn’t go.”

Her eyes shimmered, and her voice trembled just enough to sound genuinely hurt.

Carter exhaled heavily. “Right. A lot’s been going on lately.”

As a mother, being unable to get close to her children was hard enough. No one could blame her for needing a little relief from the stress. 1

“If you want to get closer to them, you have to be there. Rhea is so close to them because she gave them all her time and attention.” Carter unknowingly began to praise Rhea.

As Lauren listened, every word felt like a stab. She clenched her hands at her sides and said, “I understand.”

The next morning, Lauren dragged herself out of bed, still half–asleep. She hobbled around the living room before making her way upstairs to the kids‘ rooms.

“Why are you going upstairs? Your foot’s still not healed,” Chloe said.

Lauren replied, “I just wanted to check on the kids.”

As she disappeared upstairs, Chloe turned to Carter, who had just come down. “Lauren’s really a good mom. Her foot is still hurt, but she still made the effort to go see the kids first thing.”

Carter hadn’t slept at all. He kept wondering why Rhea had told him that it wasn’t a good time yesterday.

Upstairs, Lauren appeared in the kids‘ room. “Arielle, let me help you get dressed.”

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