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‘

he could have helped

he wanted to see her stripped of

her a SIM card with her ID and send it to

kept her

wasn’t into shopping, never buying

be

handle this one?” he asked in a low

at him briefly,

James took a deep breath.

fearing his anger, edged

not know how to use a modern smartphone.

the world.

shaking her head, then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used

let out a chuckle. He wasn’t typically someone who was prone to laughter, but Kristin had

He picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s

out.

wanted to pull away.

to get a hang of it

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr.

Kristin into a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up

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

Chapter 56

in the air, taking pride in her three–year

his face and instinctively glanced at Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her wrist from

like him were all the same without

woman was just a

pas, covered her mouth in

try some clothes,” James said irritably, massaging his temples and

brings anyone here

so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over

the fitting room, overhearing the

whispered, “What’s your relationship

Kristin said nothing.

pretty, stand tall with confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve danced

paused, still

and he ditches

looked down on. What

had brought, Kristin emerged from the

watched Kristin for a long silence.

changed drastically. The sparkle was

she quickly lowered

stranger to herself, unfamiliar

do.” James nodded.

more clothes for Kristin, asking her to

Linda?” Kristin asked, looking up.

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Chapter 56

she turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have

wasn’t going to destroy others‘ love.

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