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.

of regret clenched

could have helped

to see her stripped

and send it to IF, James called his assistant, leading Kristin into a

Kristin kept her head

buying stuff

Kristin seemed to be his one

you handle this one?” he asked in a low voice.

looking up at him briefly, then fell

took a

anger,

years off the grid, she might not know how to use a

the

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

who was prone to laughter, but

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

out.

wanted to pull

want to get a hang of it first?” James asked, looking

Kristin stayed silent.

that… Mr. Bryce!”

took Kristin into a high–end boutique, and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come with you?”

had kept around in the past, known to

Chapter 56

used to prance around with her nose in the air, taking pride

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

that men like him

was just a fleeting

pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I

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

today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and he even held her

timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change

changed in the fitting room, overhearing the

her and whispered, “What’s your relationship with

Kristin said nothing.

with grace,

paused, still silent.

three years, and he ditches that haughty

respond and didn’t care about being looked down on. What mattered was not interfering with

into a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin

Kristin for a

be told, she had changed drastically. The sparkle was

quickly lowered her gaze, not daring to recognize the reflection.

to herself, unfamiliar and

do.” James

to find more clothes for Kristin, asking her

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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

wasn’t going to destroy others‘ love.

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