I Quit Being a StepMother Novel

Chapter 525 +25 BONUS Chapter 525 At Jamison Manor , Arielle and Adrian ran to greet Carter as he returned from his business trip . " Dad ! " But the moment they spotted Lauren behind him , leaning on a crutch , both kids instinctively took two steps back . Lauren didn't seem offended . She calmly said , " Relax . I'm not here to play mommy . I just need a place to stay while I recover . I'll be gone in a few days . " Arielle and Adrian exchanged skeptical looks . Carter walked over and pulled them into his arms . " She's just a guest . Don't worry . " The kids had grown a lot .

Holding both of them now was a struggle . After a moment , he set them down . Dinner was already being prepared in the kitchen . An hour later , the food was ready . As Carter walked past the living room , he asked Lauren , not very kindly , " Are you eating ? " Lauren didn't even look at him . " No. I'm planning to starve myself to death . " Carter was rendered speechless for a moment . " You can eat , but you'll have to pay for your meals . " " Are you kidding me ? " Lauren snapped , whipping around . " Damn you, Carter ! Are you really that stingy ? I paid you 400 dollars !

Did you spend it all feeding the dogs ? " " Watch your mouth . The kids aren't dogs . And that money was payment for staying here , not food . Do you think groceries are free ? " he replied evenly , completely unbothered . Grinding her teeth , Lauren pulled another hundred dollars from her bag . " Happy now ? " She could have just hired a part - time caregiver for less than this . But no way in hell was she going to give in to Carter . Did he think she couldn't afford to eat here ? At the dining table , Lauren sat expressionless , not sparing the two kids a single glance .

Adrian timidly pushed a piece of steak toward her . " You can have some . " " I don't want it , " she said flatly . " Your dad bought that for you . I don't steal from kids . " Carter muttered dryly , " As if you haven't before . " Lauren snapped her head toward him , ready to fire back . But when she caught the kids ' eyes , she forced herself to stay quiet . She couldn't believe how insufferable he was . Arielle suddenly asked , " Do you hate us ? " Chapter 525 Lauren didn't hesitate . " Yeah . What , you think I'd like you ? " Adrian frowned . " But all the other moms love their kids .

" +25 BONUS " Well , I don't . " Lauren didn't want to pretend anymore . " I only love myself . You two should learn to love yourselves , too . " Seeing the look on the kids ' faces , Lauren continued , " You have no idea how hard it is just to survive . I don't have time to play nice and pretend . You don't like me , and I don't like you , so let's just pretend we don't exist to each other . Your dad's doing fine raising you anyway . ' " If you'd been this honest sooner , we wouldn't have had so many problems , " Carter muttered . Lauren shot back , " Please .

You were the idiot who believed me in the first place . " Indeed , what Lauren did was wrong , but he was the one who blindly believed her lies . Carter smiled bitterly and served food onto the kids ' plates . " Eat up . Don't mind her . From now on , just act like your mother's already passed away . " Lauren's face darkened . This man was unbelievable ! Adrian pointed at her . " But she's right here . " Carter replied calmly , " Just ignore her . " Lauren completely lost her appetite . She didn't come here to be humiliated !

Chapter 526 +25 BO Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.