Chapter 29 A flicker of anger flashed in Carter's eyes . He snapped , " That's enough . " Lauren seemed a little displeased . " I really don't get it . Why do you two always have to argue in front of my kids ? Can you not drag them into your problems ? " But whose fault was it really ? She then got to her feet and said , " Sweeties , let's go . I'll take you to play . " Unfortunately for her , neither of the kids budged from their seats . Arielle looked right at Lauren and said , " Dad and Mom never used to fight . Not even once . We were really happy . Our classmates were even jealous that we had such a perfect family and such a pretty and gentle mother . " That was a slap right across Lauren's face . Then Arielle turned to Carter . " Dad , for our birthday tomorrow , we don't need a big party . Just the four of us is enough . " " Yeah ! " Adrian echoed firmly . They were blatantly leaving Lauren out . Lauren looked crushed . Her eyes shimmered with tears as she said , " Sweeties , why do you hate me so much ? Did I do something wrong ? Tell me , and I'll fix it . I live for you two . " Arielle's expression turned serious . " We don't really know you . You say you're our mom , so maybe you are . But why won't you let Mommy Rhea be around us ? " Lauren explained , " I never said that Rhea couldn't be with you . " Adrian piped up without a filter , " But whenever you're here , Dad ends up scolding Mom . Mom gets sad , so we don't like you ! " The kids were firmly on Rhea's side . Lauren had always believed that being their birth mother made her irreplaceable . But now , she realized she had been wrong . She turned away , her eyes watering . " Fine . I'm the problem . Carter , I won't come tomorrow . Enjoy the birthday celebration . " She made to leave , but Carter tried to stop her . " You're their mother . How can you not be there ? Don't get upset with them . They're just kids . " Rhea stood up . " Sweeties , let's go practice drawing . " " Okay ! " Arielle and Adam bounced away with her , not sparing Lauren another glance despite her dramatic act . Once in the room , Rhea grew serious . " Arielle Jamison . Adrian Jamison , " Hearing her use their full names , the children straightened up . Chapter 29 +25 BONUS Rhea sat in front of them . " I won't always be home now . So , Lauren and Dad will spend more time with you . If you're too hostile toward her , your dad won't be happy . He'll think that you're being disrespectful . " I always tell you that you have to be clear about what you want in life . If what you want is peace , then you'll need to tolerate things sometimes . " Arielle understood . Adrian , however , only grasped part of it , so he asked , " So you're saying that when we're with Dad , we shouldn't hate her ? " " Yes . " Rhea never badmouthed Lauren , but she also wouldn't force the kids to accept her . They could choose for themselves . If they liked her , they could accept her . If not , they could keep their distance . But Carter had clearly taken Lauren's side . That meant , in the future , the ones who would suffer would be the kids . There wasn't much Rhea could do . All she could do was teach the children to pick their battles wisely . Arielle nodded . " I got it , Mom . " " I can't protect you forever . You need to learn how to protect yourselves . Lauren is your birth mother , of course . So she won't harm you , " Rhea said as she held their hands . At Ravenshade Villa , Lauren returned , her expression worried , which Chloe immediately noticed . " What's wrong ? " Chloe asked . " The kids don't like me . They don't want me at the birthday party tomorrow , " Lauren replied . " It's the stepmother's doing , right ? " Lauren frowned . Even if it wasn't , she still needed Carter to think it was . The next day , as soon as Arielle and Adrian woke up , they heard cheerful commotion downstairs . It sounded like a full house . " Mom . " " Come on . Get dressed . The guests are already here . " Rhea waved them over to change into their formal outfits . She had gotten up early to decorate and greet the first wave of guests . After that , she came up to help the kids . After all , the later guests were all invited by Carter and Lauren . " Is she here too ? " Arielle asked . She was referring to Lauren . Rhea nodded . " She is . When you go downstairs , be sure you greet everyone . You haven't forgotten what I said yesterday , right ? " She didn't want the kids to be seen as rude in front of all these people . " We remember , Mom . " 2/3 Chapter 29 +25 BONUS Half an hour later , the birthday twins made their entrance . Out of respect for Carter , everyone immediately turned and wished them a happy birthday . Lauren rushed over and grabbed their hands . Surprisingly , they didn't pull away this time . She quickly guided them to greet her family friends . " This is Mr. Brennan . " " Hello , Mr. Brennan , " the kids said in unison , their smiles bright . Lauren continued , " And this is Mrs. Molina . " " Hello , Mrs. Molina . " " Oh , what adorable children ! " Rhea watched from the back . She was like a mother eagle observing her little ones taking flight for the first time . Lauren crouched beside the kids . After glancing sideways at Rhea , she deliberately said , " Six years ago today , I gave birth to you two . I can't even describe how happy I was . I hope you grow up healthy and be my precious little darlings forever . Your dad and I will always love you . " In her words , she and Carter came off as the ones who deserved all the credit . There was no mention of Rhea at all . BIG SALE : 3500 BONUS FREE FOR YOU ! Click to get it 33