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.

twinge of regret

ago, he could have helped Kristin, but he didn’t.

fact… he wanted to see

it to IF,

Kristin kept

never buying stuff unless

to be his one exception.

one?” he asked in a low

at him briefly, then fell

took a

fearing his anger, edged

might not know how to use

with the world.

she confessed, shaking her head, then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by seniors. “I can use this one.”

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

picked up a phone, grabbed Kristin’s wrist, and

out.

to pull

get a hang of

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that…

the display assistant lit up upon seeing

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

Chapter 56

to prance around with her nose in the air, taking

glanced at Kristin, who looked

stay clear–headed that men like him were all the

woman was just a fleeting plaything, nothing

her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce,

irritably, massaging his temples

brings anyone here willingly, and

girl looks so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce

changed in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip

and whispered, “What’s your relationship with Mr. Bryce?”

Kristin said nothing.

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

still silent.

and he ditches

looked down on. What mattered was

white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from the fitting

Kristin for

changed drastically. The

Kristin looked at herself in the mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze,

to herself, unfamiliar and

James nodded.

clothes for Kristin, asking

Kristin asked, looking

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be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have to turn

to destroy