I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

Chapter 223 " Since you two like Rhea so much , why don't you just tell your dad to let you go live with her ? " Lauren snapped , her anger boiling over . She thought darkly to herself that if Adrian and Arielle weren't going to help her , they might as well disappear . This would prevent a rift between her and Carter and keep people from giving her strange looks . " Why ? This is our home . If anyone should leave , it's you , " Arielle said , suspicious that Lauren was trying to chase them out . " I should leave ? " When Lauren looked at Arielle , all she felt was disgust .

If she had known the twins would turn out like this , she wouldn't have brought them into the world . She believed it was better never to have had them at all ! Smiling , Lauren took a couple of steps forward . " Your dad bought this villa for me , and it's in my name . Arielle , Adrian , you're now living under my roof . Do you know what that means ? It means that you have to follow my rules . " This was her villa ? Arielle's eyes brimmed with unease . Lauren bent slightly and continued , " Do you understand me ? I'm your birth mother . And I always will be .

You'll only live comfortably if you take my side and help me . So what if you like Rhea ? She'll never let you live at the Ravelle residence . " Scarlett stepped forward . " You two need to be sensible . Don't always embarrass your mom in front of outsiders . " Arielle , as smart as she was , didn't argue . She was scared that if Lauren or Scarlett laid a hand on her or Adrian , they would have nowhere to run . Lauren smiled again . " When your dad gets back , know what to say and what not to say . You're old enough to differentiate that .

And if I'm unhappy , I have ways to ensure that you lose the comfortable life you have now . Got it ? " Lauren wasn't in the mood to coddle them . She figured that threats were simpler . Arielle and Adrian understood that Lauren was warning them not to tell Carter about what had happened . " Now , do you know what to say when you're around others ? " Lauren asked . Arielle bit her lip . 1/2 Chapter 223 +25 BONUS Lauren slowly said , " Tell them that I'm your favorite mother and that I'm the closest to you . Not Rhea . Most importantly , I've always cared for you ever since you were babies .

" She knew that these kids had sharp memories and could mimic whatever they heard . She was sure that they would remember . Arielle nodded . " That's my good girl , " Lauren said , then turned and left . Arielle and Adrian ran straight to their room and locked the door behind them . " What do we do , Arielle ? " Adrian felt that Lauren seemed more evil by the day . " I'm not listening to her , " Arielle said firmly . " When Dad comes home , we'll tell him everything . Mom said that he only has us . He would never give up on us . We just can't argue with that woman .

We don't want her to hurt us . " Adrian agreed . " Okay ! " That evening , Carter returned home , smiling . " Carter . " Lauren was already waiting at the door . She said gently , " Dinner's ready . Would you like some ? " " I already ate , " Carter replied . He had a good talk with Marcus and decided to target the Snider family's business . They already had a plan . Once they succeeded , Jamison Group would have a foothold in Draventh . " Where are the kids ? " he asked . " They should be getting ready for bed , " Lauren replied . " Eat a little , or- " " Dad .

" Arielle's voice rang out suddenly . Lauren turned and saw Arielle and Adrian running down the stairs . " Dad . " The kids leaped into Carter's arms . Carter sat in his wheelchair , his legs aching slightly from the impact of their embrace . " What's wrong ? "