I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

Chapter 15 Oddly enough , it made Carter compare the two women . And at that moment , he thought that Rhea really had been overly emotional these past few days . He never judged people by background , but sometimes , he felt that someone's upbringing did shape their perspective . The difference between Lauren's and Rhea's characters was now painfully clear . Rhea finally looked up . " No wonder Carter praises your language skills , Ms. Thayer . You managed to pin everything that has happened recently on me in just a few words . " " Rhea , " Carter said suddenly .

His tone sounded like a warning . Rhea felt like a knife had been driven into her heart all over again as a searing pain tore through her . She turned her head slightly , catching Carter in her peripheral vision . " Please remember that you're a father in front of the kids . Don't give me another reason to lose respect for you . " That hit Carter's pride . " What have I done wrong as a father ? " Arielle suddenly said , " Dad , why do you always defend other people instead of helping Mom ? If I follow your example , should I start helping the bullies at school pick on Adrian ?

" Arielle's question left Carter suddenly speechless . Lauren bit her lip and bent down toward the kids . " Sweeties , how about I join you for breakfast ? " Adrian frowned . " No need . We already have our mom . " Lauren looked hurt . Her carefully hidden sorrow didn't escape Carter's eyes . She stood up and plastered a strained smile on her face . She said , " I'll just go change . You guys eat . " Once she was gone , Carter glared at Rhea . " Rhea , maybe you should set a better example , too . " Rhea suddenly stood up . Her tone was calm , but a faint tremble was audible in her voice .

" Carter , why do you treat me like a stepmother but expect me to act like a birth mother ? " " Stepmother ? " Arielle grew agitated . " Mom , who's the stepmother ? " Rhea kept her eyes fixed on Carter . She didn't scream or raise her voice . She simply sounded confused . " Have I not done enough for you and the kids all these years ? " He said nothing . Naturally , he had never thought that Rhea hadn't done enough . But in his eyes , her inability to tolerate Lauren meant that she lacked grace . " I'm only asking once . Have I ever wronged you ? " Rhea asked .

After a long silence , Carter replied , " No. " Rhea took a step back , and her brief smile carried a hint of sorrow . " Good . That's all I needed to know . " With that , she walked out . Carter frowned . " Where are you going ? " " I have things to do . " Chapter 15 +25 BONUS " The kids are home . " Rhea paused , fighting the urge to turn around . " You and Lauren can watch them for a day . " A few seconds later , her figure disappeared through the doorway . The two siblings at the table sat there in a daze . Arielle snapped out of it first . " Dad ! Mom just left ! Go after her !

" Feeling exhausted , Carter sat down . " It's fine . She doesn't know anyone in Colburn . She'll be back once she cools down . " His stance was unequivocal . Arielle panicked . " But she didn't bring an umbrella ! " As she said that , she jumped from her seat and ran out . Alisha chased after her . About ten minutes later , Alisha brought Arielle back home . Her eyes were red , and her clothes were soaked through . Carter rushed to comfort her , but Arielle only wanted Rhea . The moment she started crying , Adrian quietly began to shed tears too .

Two six - year - olds throwing a fit at the same time was enough to give anyone a headache . And just like that , Arielle developed a fever . Carter rushed her to the hospital , leaving Adrian with Alisha . Lauren busied herself back and forth , looking every bit the concerned guardian when it came to Arielle . Meanwhile , Carter stayed by Arielle's side as her fever refused to go down , all while constantly trying to call Rhea . However , her phone remained off the entire time . It wasn't until late at night that Arielle's fever finally broke , and Carter brought her home .

After the long , exhausting day , he felt even more drained than he had during the early days of building his company . Adrian noticed how tired Carter looked and asked , " Dad , are you tired ? " Carter shook his head . " I'm fine . " He had thought that Adrian was worried about him , but then the young boy added , " But Mom's been taking care of us like that for six years . You've only done it once . " Carter froze when he heard those words .