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

11:39

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.

twinge of regret clenched James‘

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

he wanted to see her stripped of her pride.

send it to

steep, Kristin kept her head down, not daring

buying stuff

Kristin seemed to be

this one?” he asked in

far away, looking up at

took

anger, edged

not know how to use a modern smartphone. She

the

then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a model typically

who was prone to

I’ll teach you.” He picked up

out.

wanted to

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

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr. Bryce, why didn’t Linda come with

kept around in

Chapter 56

prance around with her nose in the air, taking pride in her three–year stint with James.

who

like him were all the

a woman was just a

assistant, realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth

his

Bryce brought today? He never brings anyone here willingly, and he even

a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over those proud swans now?”

changed in the fitting room, overhearing the

her and whispered, “What’s your

Kristin said nothing.

tall with confidence. Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve danced since childhood,” the tailor suggested.

paused, still silent.

he ditches that haughty princess for a maid?”

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

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

watched Kristin for a

changed drastically. The sparkle was

the mirror, she quickly

to herself, unfamiliar and

do.” James nodded.

for Kristin, asking her to wait on

asked, looking

3/5

Chapter 56

be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin

going to destroy

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255