Crossroads

Chapter 16

“Kevin, was that your mom on the phone earlier?” Claire asked, her grip tightening on his arm. She’d noticed Stella’s name lighting up his phone more frequently these past few days, each call leaving Kevin with a darker, more troubled look.

“Did she bring up me and our daughter?”

They walked side by side into the largest shopping mall in the eastern part of the city. Claire tugged at him nervously, her fone laced with anxiety. “I bet Stephanie’s been feeding your mom all sorts of nonsense about me.”

At the mention of Stephanie, Kevin suddenly stopped walking.

“What’s going on, Kevin?” Claire asked.

His face looked troubled as he glanced down at the little girl he was holding, taking a deep breath. “It’s nothing” He didn’t want to say too much in front of his daughter,

Kevin looked up towards the elevator. “Claire, why don’t you take our daughter up for a bit of shopping, I’ll wait for you in the smoking area. Mis agitation was clear in his voice and manner.

Claire had noticed something was off these few days, but she decided to ask him about it later at night.

फ

She smiled warmly and linked arms with him. “Why not take Joyce to the kids‘ play zone on the fifth floor? She wants to play games with you…”

Claire glanced at the little girl by her feet. Joyce seemed intimidated by Claire, shrinking back towards Kevin and clutching his shirt. She spoke up in a soft voice. “Daddy, I want to go to the play zone.”

hair and thought for a moment,

and Kevin and complimented, “Your husband and child are both good

grin, Claire couldn’t help but call out to the retreating figures, Joyce, make

okay?”

Joyce responded, “Okay.”

straight for a men’s fashion boutique

arrived yet?” Claire strode up to the counter, slamming down

husband? Shameless…” A voice hissed bitterly from the

strolling through the plaza, happened to

and one could easily

Stephanie in the same boutique. Her expression soured.

a fight and hurried over to Claire, gently interjecting, “Ms. Peterson, the suit you reserved is here. Please,

hanging out with the rich ladies in Kevin. Aiming to be the future

1/2

Chapter 16

up the

people might look flashy but barely have a dime in their account. These poor will never actually buy anything. Honestly, it’s better

her lip, holding back her anger, while the sales assistant that her a doubtful and somewhat

the suit. It’s been reserved for Ms. Peterson… The store operated on a membership basis, and

“Do smart. Know when to quit. Some things simply aren’t for people like you

never have them.”

she was mocking her