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.”

gently ruffled his daughter’s hair and thought for a

Joyce and Kevin and complimented, “Your husband and

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

okay?”

responded, “Okay.”

a men’s fashion boutique on the second

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

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

strolling through the plaza, happened to see Claire and instantly

easily sense the tension

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

and hurried over to Claire, gently interjecting, “Ms.

ladies in Kevin. Aiming to be the future lady of

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Chapter 16

wrap up the

steered, “Some people might look flashy but barely have a dime in their account. These poor will never

the sales assistant that her a doubtful

operated on a membership basis, and indeed, Stephanie

smart. Know when to quit. Some

never have them.”

she was mocking her