I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

Chapter 33 +25 BONUS " Carter's trying to save you some dignity , so he kept quiet . But I'm going to say what needs to be said . " Rhea looked straight at the three of them . She suddenly wondered when exactly she had ended up with no one by her side . Indeed , she resented Lauren . Rhea hated that her return had instantly made her out to be the villainous stepmother . But her resentment toward Carter was stronger . How could he let anyone scold her like this ? Because he never once cared how she felt . Not once . So Rhea wasn't going to stay quiet anymore . The twins ' birthday was over .

It was time for her to say goodbye to this place . However , she wasn't leaving with her dignity in shreds . She intended to give back every bit of the hurt and humiliation she had endured to the ones who caused it . Rhea dropped her umbrella and turned to Alisha . " Stay with the kids . Don't let them come out . " Alisha quickly headed upstairs to watch over Arielle and Adrian . Rhea faced the three of them . " First of all , not once in the past six years have the children been harmed under my care . They've been happy .

As their stepmother , I gave them just as much love as any birth mother would . " I'm the lady of this house and the mother of the kids . And the only people who have the right to judge my past or my place in this family are the children I raised . Not even Carter has that right . So tell me . Who exactly are you to judge me ? " This was the second time Carter had seen her be this assertive . Her voice wasn't loud , but it rang with clarity and strength . Rhea turned to Devan and instructed , " Devan , show the guests out . " In this house , Lauren and Chloe were just guests . " Carter ...

" Lauren looked utterly humiliated . " Grandma and I just wanted to spend time with the kids . How did it come to this ? " " You'll have all the time in the world to cry to him tomorrow . Aren't you starting to work with him ? This way , please . " Rhea opened the door . " Rhea ! " Carter barked . Even Devan couldn't hold it in anymore . " Ladies , please . Mr. and Mrs. Jamison have private matters to discuss . " Chloe's face flushed red . " Let's go , Lauren ! " The moment they stepped out , Rhea shut the door behind them .

Just as Carter was about to criticize her , she said , "Let's get divorced . " Her tone was firm , without the slightest trace of hesitation . Carter frowned . " Seriously ? One disagreement and you're already bringing up divorce ? " Chapter 33 +25 BONUS " This isn't a discussion . It's a decision . " Rhea continued , " To you , I'm nothing more than a responsibility . I don't want a marriage like that . For six years , I've done everything expected of me . I don't want anything from you . " All I ask is that you sign the papers . Once it's done , you can help Lauren as much as you want .

That'll be your business . But while we're still legally married , you don't get to cheat on me and trample on my dignity . " " Cheat on you ? " Carter tugged at his tie . " Do you think I'm that kind of man ? I told you , Lauren's just going through a rough patch- " 1 " That's enough . " Rhea didn't want to hear another excuse . " Let's meet at the courthouse tomorrow morning . " The anger in Carter's eyes flared . He sneered , " Fine . " After all , where could she go after the divorce ? Back to her small town ? Carter left the house .

Rhea quietly packed two sets of clothes she had bought herself and took nothing else . That night , she gave the twins a bath , tucked them in , read them bedtime stories , and reminded them repeatedly of the things they needed to remember . She ached for them and was worried about whether they would be okay . The next morning , she slipped out before the kids even woke up . By 7:40 am , Rhea was already standing outside the courthouse . It opened at 8:00 am . 2/2