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.”

daughter’s hair and thought for a moment, “Alright, let’s

a woman walked by, she glanced at Joyce and Kevin and complimented,

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

okay?”

responded, “Okay.”

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

yet?” Claire strode up to

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

who had been strolling through the plaza, happened

could easily sense the tension

turned around to see Stephanie in the same boutique. Her expression soured.

would get into a fight and hurried over to Claire, gently interjecting, “Ms. Peterson, the suit you reserved is here. Please, let me show

had been hanging out with the rich ladies in Kevin. Aiming to be the future lady of the

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Chapter 16

wrap up the

a dime in their account.

while the sales

for Ms. Peterson… The store operated

her words seemed to hint at something. “Do smart. Know when to quit. Some things simply

never have them.”

she was mocking