I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 79

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Chapter 79

The memory hit Carter out of nowhere, softening his expression. He looked at Lauren and said gently, “I really should thank you for giving me two beautiful kids.”

Lauren lowered her head. “I loved you so much back then. Having your children was all I ever wanted.”

There was a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Carter pressed his lips together. “I’ll have a caregiver stay with you later.”

Lauren froze at those words.

Was Rhea’s baby all he could think about now?

At People’s Hospital, as soon as they arrived, Carter ensured that Lauren was admitted to the orthopedic department.

But when he turned to leave, Mia pursed her lips and said, “Carter, Lauren’s injury looks serious. You’re not going to stay for her checkup? That’d really hurt her feelings.”

Lauren tugged at Mia’s hand. “Mia, I’m fine.”

Then she looked up at Carter, smiling gently at him. “Go on, Carter. Go see Rhea. See if she’s pregnant or just feeling unwell. I’ll be okay.”

Something in Carter’s chest eased. “Sorry to make you go through this.”

Lauren shook her head, saying, “As long as I’m with you, none of it matters.”

With that, Carter turned and headed straight for the elevator, making his way to the OB–GYN department.

“You’re just too kind. Your foot’s already like this, and you’re still worried about someone else?” Chloe gave Lauren a light poke on the forehead.

Mia crouched next to her. “Yeah, Lauren. You can’t keep being the nice one. Every single time Carter leaves you behind, it’s because of Rhea.”

Lauren said softly, “It’s fine. I’m sure that Rhea didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

That made it sound like Rhea was the one ruining their peaceful life.

Lauren suddenly had an idea. “It looks like the waiting room’s packed. Honestly, my ankle isn’t hurting that much right now. Why don’t we go check on Rhea together?”

Chloe glanced at Lauren’s ankle. It really didn’t seem too badly injured.

If Rhea were pregnant, things would get complicated, as a baby might make it impossible for Carter to go through with the divorce. And what would happen to Lauren then?

Chloe nodded. “Alright. Let’s go check on her.”

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Chapter 79

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In the ultrasound room at the OB–GYN department, the doctor said matter–of–factly, “You’re pregnant. Just over six weeks. Do you want to keep it?”

Pregnant…

Six years of marriage without a single pregnancy. Now, right when she and Carter were on the verge of divorce, she was expecting?

Rhea’s head buzzed.

Five minutes later, she stepped out of the ultrasound room.

Carolyn and Kate were already waiting. Evelyn had something urgent to discuss with her brother, so she left for Draventh earlier that morning.

Carolyn leaned in and whispered, “What did the doctor say?”

Kate didn’t need to hear it. One look at Rhea’s face told her everything.

When Rhea stayed silent, Carolyn gently took the paper from her hands and saw the ultrasound image.

“You’re really pregnant?” Her eyes widened. “What…”

Rhea sat down in a daze.

She used to long for a child of her own, but it just never happened. Back then, with two kids to care for, she never found the time to get checked. And now, out of nowhere, a baby had come into her life.

All Rhea could think was how unbelievably bad her luck was.

Just as Carter arrived, he happened to hear Carolyn say, “You’re really pregnant?”

He strode over. “You’re pregnant? For real?”

Kate and Carolyn both turned to look. It was the first time they had seen Carter in

person.

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