Chapter 13 Carter was momentarily stunned . " Lauren , did you ... ' 11 +25 BONUS Lauren quickly explained , " Carter , don't misunderstand . I was telling them how lucky they are that Rhea isn't like those evil stepmothers in fairy tales . I'm honestly grateful someone else loves my kids . Why would I ever say anything like that ? " Then she turned to the children . " I know you love Rhea , but you can't make things up about me , okay ? " Carter knew his children didn't lie , but they could make things up with complete sincerity . So , he couldn't take their words at face value . There might have been a misunderstanding , but the fact that Arielle had scissors in her hands was undeniable . Lauren's tears fell . " I know I haven't been around these past few years , so it's only natural they're not close to me . But I never imagined that after carrying them for ten months and giving birth to them , I'd end up failing like this . " Carter thought back to how hard Lauren's pregnancy had been . He quickly comforted her , saying , " Don't take it to heart . Give it time . They'll accept you eventually . " Still , when he looked up and saw Rhea walking away with the kids , something gnawed at him . He had pushed Arielle in a moment of panic , and he knew that it was wrong . So , he said , " You should rest a while . I'll check on the kids . " Carter turned to go , but suddenly remembered something . " Lauren , Rhea has done her part over the years and taken good care of the kids . Let's not use the word ' stepmother ' in front of them . " Lauren hadn't expected that . " I ... " In the end , she said nothing . She could only watch as Carter walked away . In the kids ' room , Rhea was gently massaging Arielle's legs and bottom . Arielle , still upset , whimpered , " Mom , I didn't lie . She did say that you're like those evil stepmothers in fairy tales . She told me to be careful with stepmothers . That's why I got mad . " Adrian nodded . " That lady talked badly about you . She was lying ! " " I know , sweeties . Don't cry anymore . " Rhea's heart ached . She knew her kids ' nature better than anyone . She whispered something to them , and finally , Arielle began to smile through her tears . Arielle nestled in Rhea's arms , clinging to her warmth . " Mom , you're not going to leave Dad , right ? " Rhea lowered her eyes . For the first time , she didn't answer Arielle's question . Arielle seemed to sense something and asked cautiously , " Mom , if you and Dad separate , will you take me and Adrian with you ? My deskmate's parents divorced , and he had to live away from his brother . " At that moment , Carter just happened to reach the door and heard her remark . He immediately stepped inside and said , " We aren't splitting up . You and Adrian won't be separated . " His response brought Rhea no joy , only a deep and lingering ache in her chest . Chapter 13 +25 BONUS Sometimes , it didn't take a massive betrayal to destroy a relationship . All it took was one devastating truth- Carter didn't love her . Every warmth he had shown her had been the result of calculation . He never loved her , so he never once considered her feelings . Rhea stood up . " Find a time . Let's talk . " The last time she had brought up divorce , Carter had walked out . Carter looked at her and said , " I've got time now . " He called for Alisha to take care of the kids while Rhea led the way to the study . In the study , Rhea got straight to the point . " Have you thought about the divorce ? " Carter frowned . " When did I say I would give it thought ? " She chuckled and looked back at him . " What are you trying to do then ? Keep me tied down while keeping Lauren close ? " Carter looked helpless . " I'm just helping her temporarily . You know who she is . Can't you be more understanding ? 11 Rhea suddenly stepped forward , closing in on Carter . She had never been this assertive before . Carter instinctively took a few steps back . " Understanding ? Is understanding letting her borrow a bed today , a dress tomorrow , and a mattress the day after ? What's next , Carter ? Should I let her borrow you , too ? " His face darkened . " If it were you , could you tolerate this ? " Rhea stared at him . " I don't know whether you've changed or if you never knew how to love someone in the first place . " She once thought that the way he treated her was his way of showing his love . Now , she realized that it wasn't . After a long pause , Carter said flatly , " I never planned to divorce . And there's nothing between me and Lauren . After some time- "