I Quit Being a Stepmother (Cypress Gem) novel Chapter 85

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Chapter 85

Rhea used to say that she loved Carter. But now, with the divorce looming, she didn’t look the slightest bit sad. In the blink of an eye, she had moved into a new villa and was driving a Rolls–Royce Ghost.

Lauren pressed her lips together. “Carter, that car isn’t cheap. Does Rhea really have that kind of money saved up?”

There was no way that Rhea had enough savings to afford a luxury villa and a luxury car.

So where did all these come from? From another man? Was her attitude toward him now because some other man had given her the confidence to act this way?

Carter’s gaze darkened.

“We want to ride with Mom,” Arielle said as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

The twins hopped out of the car and ran straight to Rhea. She stepped out and helped them into the backseat of her car. After checking their seatbelts, she tucked small snack bags beside them.

Then she bent down and kissed each of them on the cheek. “Don’t move around, okay?”

“Don’t worry, Mom!” the twins replied in perfect sync.

Watching how naturally they adored Rhea made Lauren’s stomach twist. After all, she was the one who had given birth to them.

Lauren asked casually, “Do you think that Mr. Snider might have given her that car? He seems to treat her very well.”

Carter clenched his jaw, unwilling to believe it. “She’s not that kind of person.”

Lauren said, “People change. Luxury has a way of clouding people’s judgment. Desires never really end.”

After a pause, she added, “Carter, I’m not trying to speak ill of Rhea. But I’ve always been curious. She was a young woman who had never even been married. What made her so willing to become a stepmother? Of course, I’ll always be grateful for the way she took care of the kids.”

That made Carter pause. He had never really thought about why Rhea had been so willing to become a stepmother. She was only 22 when she married him.

Lauren continued gently, “Rhea’s not like us. She came from an ordinary background and hadn’t had much exposure to the world of the wealthy. But considering all she’s given over the years, you shouldn’t blame her.”

Her whole family looked down on him. That was why they hadn’t shown their faces all these years.

How could Carter not blame her?

And now, with the possibility that Rhea had betrayed him, he could stomach it even less.

“She’s pregnant, Carter. Just let it go for now,” Lauren said, trying to calm him down.

Pregnant…

Chapter 85

Carter’s tone dropped ice–cold. “We don’t even know if that baby’s mine.”

Lauren said nothing more.

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They arrived in the countryside, where vast stretches of artificial grass spread out before them.

“Mom, is it true that you’re having a baby?” Arielle’s face was glowing with excitement.

Looking at her children’s hopeful faces, Rhea lowered her gaze and chose to hide it from them. “I’m not sure yet.

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She didn’t want to build up their hopes only to crush them later.

“But I heard from Ms. Berry that you are.” Arielle added, “Mom, you should have the baby. Adrian and I can play with them, so you won’t have to do all the work.”

“Yeah, Mom. I’ll play with them, and Arielle can teach them school stuff,” Adrian said.

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