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, “Alright,

a woman walked by, she glanced at Joyce and Kevin and complimented, “Your husband and child

but call out to the retreating figures, Joyce, make sure those pretty

okay?”

“Okay.” She hurriedly nodded in

Claire then headed straight for a men’s fashion boutique on the second

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

dare you, a homewrecker, call another man your husband? Shameless…” A voice hissed bitterly from the left

strolling through the plaza, happened

one could easily sense the tension in the

Stephanie in the same boutique. Her expression soured. “Stephanie, did you just call me a

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

future lady of the Nelson family meant she had to maintain her

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Chapter 16

up

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

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

of the suit. It’s been reserved for Ms. Peterson… The store operated on a membership basis, and indeed, Stephanie was just passing

words seemed to hint at something. “Do smart. Know when to quit.

never have them.”

was mocking