I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

+25 BONUS

When Carter left the villa, his mood was dark and heavy. He vaguely remembered Rhea back in prep class. She was quiet, always on her own, gentle by nature, and never the type to flatter the powerful or look down on others.

He wondered if a few years of living in luxury had changed her.

All his life, even when the Jamison family went bankrupt, no one had ever looked down on him. No matter the circle, no matter the setting, Carter had always stood out.

That was why Rhea’s words hit a nerve and completely set Carter off.

What made her family think he wasn’t worthy of her?

Carter laughed.

“Carter.” Lauren’s voice was gentle. “There’s no need to get upset with people who see the world differently. Some spend their whole lives stuck in a small world, thinking that they’re better than everyone else. And naturally, they stay stuck in their narrow circles. It’s not worth wasting our energy on.”

Carter thought that she had a point. It was always the ones with the least to offer who judged the loudest. He really shouldn’t waste his energy on those people.

He looked over at Lauren. He suddenly realized that when it came to choosing a partner, he had to find someone who shared his values and lived in the same world.

Otherwise, things would end up just like they did with him and Rhea. If only he had never separated from Lauren all those years ago…

Lauren slipped her arm through his. “Let it go. We’ll take the kids out tomorrow. Get some fresh air and clear our heads.”

Back home, the kids were bouncing around, excitedly packing for their outing.

“Take this too! We need it for a picture with Mom,” Arielle said, stuffing the Polaroid camera into her small

suitcase.

Lauren, helped over by Scarlett, smiled as she approached. “Oh? You want to take pictures with me?”

Arielle looked up. “I meant with Mommy Rhea.”

Rhea?

Lauren was confused. “But we didn’t invite Rhea.”

“Arielle and I did. Mom’s coming with us tomorrow,” Adrian sald.

Lauren froze for a second.

Why hadn’t she heard anything about this?

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Chapter 84

She went straight to Carter. “The kids said that Rhea’s joining us tomorrow. Is that true?”

Carter looked just as confused. “Since when?”

“They said they invited her themselves.”

Carter paused, thinking of how attached the kids were to Rhea. “Let them be.”

Lauren pressed her lips together. “Alright.”

+25 BONUS

The next day, Rhea coordinated directly with the kids.

Inside the car, Arielle reminded Carter, “Dad, remember to wait here for Mom, okay?”

Carter frowned. He wasn’t exactly in the mood to see Rhea. He used to think that she was great, but looking back now, maybe he had been blind.

The kind of family someone came from could profoundly shape their character. He figured that Rhea’s lack of consideration and reckless behavior came from a messed–up family background.

“Didn’t you give her the address?” Carter asked.

Arielle replied, “Yeah, but we still have to wait for her. We’re only a family when we’re all together.”

Lauren, seated farther back in the SUV, chimed in gently, “Arielle, Rhea might not be part of our family anymore.

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Arielle lowered her head. “She is. She’ll always be our mom.”

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