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 moment, “Alright, let’s go

by, she glanced at Joyce and Kevin and complimented, “Your

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

okay?”

Joyce responded, “Okay.” She hurriedly

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

I reserved for my husband arrived yet?” Claire strode up

call another man your husband? Shameless…” A voice hissed bitterly from the left side

through the plaza, happened to see Claire and

met, and one could easily sense the tension in

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

feared that they would get into a fight and hurried over to Claire, gently interjecting, “Ms. Peterson, the suit you reserved is

the future lady of

1/2

Chapter 16

up

but barely have a dime

back her anger, while the

for Ms. Peterson… The store operated on a membership basis, and

smart. Know when to quit. Some things simply aren’t for

never have them.”

was mocking