When the Boss’ Lady Became His Sister-in-law

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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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‘

ago, he could have helped Kristin,

he wanted to see her stripped

card with her ID and send it to IF, James called

Kristin kept her head down, not daring to

shopping, never buying stuff unless

be his one

this one?” he

looking up at him

here!” James took a

his anger, edged

years off the grid, she might not know how to use a modern smartphone. She

the

the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors. “I can use this

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

up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s

out.

to

want to get a hang of it first?”

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr.

display assistant lit up upon

kept around in the past,

Chapter 56

the air, taking pride in

Kristin, who looked back, withdrawing her wrist from his grasp.

needed to stay clear–headed that men like him were all the same without exceptions.

a woman was just a fleeting plaything,

covered her mouth in panic. “Mr.

James said irritably, massaging his temples and flipping through a magazine on

never brings anyone here willingly, and he even held her hand.”

girl looks so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste?

the fitting room, overhearing the

her and whispered, “What’s your relationship with

Kristin said nothing.

likes girls with grace, like those who’ve danced since childhood,” the tailor

still

Bryce for three years, and he ditches that

care about being looked down on.

a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin

Kristin for a long silence.

told, she had changed drastically. The sparkle was

mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze,

a stranger to herself, unfamiliar

James

went to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her to wait on

Linda?” Kristin asked, looking

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turned out to be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would

going to destroy others‘ love.