Chapter 56

James got the picture and leaned back in his seat with a chuckle. “Hop in, don’t make me say it a third time.”

Kristin’s fingers were nearly raw from her nervous picking. She glanced down to make sure her clothes were clean before carefully opening the back door.

“Sit up front,” James gestured.

Kristin pondered for a moment before settling into the front seat.

James didn’t say a word and drove Kristin to the mall.

“Get out,” he instructed as they arrived.

Kristin stayed put. After a long pause, Kristin finally spoke up. “I… I’ll go back.”

“Do you think I’ve had you around for three years to play nanny or maid?” James had to stifle a laugh.

Kristin remained silent.

“Come on, whether or not I go for a paternity test depends on if you can follow directions,” James resorted to a threat, as nothing else seemed to work.

Kristin was stubborn, only responding to this kind of talk.

She got out of the car and followed James inside.

Entering the elevator, Kristin instinctively tucked herself into the farthest corner, eyes fixed on the walls.

The elevator reached the ground floor, crowded with people entering the mall.

James reached out and pulled Kristin in front of him, frowning slightly.

Kristin stood rigid among the crowd with a trace of fear in her demeanor.

Crowds terrified her.

After years in prison, Kristin developed severe psychological issues.

Any person facing great trauma and change would inevitably show some stress response.

Kristin feared enclosed spaces, crowds, and being squeezed among people. Her breathing. became labored, sweat forming on her forehead.

James glanced down at Kristin. He towered over others, but Kristin was nearly swallowed by

the crowd.

“Let’s go.” he said.

Kristin had become much more docile than she was five years ago. She followed James

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Chapter 56

obediently like a soulless marionette.

As they walked, James had an epiphany about what had changed in Kristin.

Her eyes once shimmered, bursting with life. Now, they were vacant, hollow. It was as though her spirit had been depleted, leaving only an empty shell behind.

regret clenched James‘ hands.

ago, he could have helped Kristin,

see her

card with her ID and send it to IF, James

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her

wasn’t into shopping, never buying

be his

this one?” he asked in a

at

James took a

anger,

she might not know how

with the world.

simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors. “I

prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been an exception to that

He picked up a phone,

out.

to pull

to get a hang of it first?” James asked, looking at her.

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James.

was a little starlet James had kept around in the past, known to

Chapter 56

her nose in the air,

Kristin, who looked back,

that men like him

woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing

display assistant, realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth in panic.

said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine on the sofa.

brings anyone here willingly, and he even held

like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his

room, overhearing

her and whispered, “What’s your relationship

Kristin said nothing.

girls with grace,

paused, still silent.

Mr. Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess for a maid?”

care about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering with

the assistant had

for a long

changed

Kristin looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to recognize the

stranger to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

James nodded.

assistant went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her to

Kristin asked, looking

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Chapter 56

be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin

to destroy others‘ love.

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