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

have helped Kristin, but he didn’t.

to see her

her ID and send it to IF, James called his

prices on the phones were steep, Kristin kept her head down,

buying stuff unless

to be his

he asked in a low

far away, looking up at him briefly, then fell

took a deep breath.

anger,

off the grid, she might not know how

the

simplest phone she could find, a model typically used by

typically someone who was prone to laughter, but

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

out.

to pull

want to get a hang of it first?” James

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr. Bryce!”

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

was a little starlet James had kept around in the

Chapter 56

the

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

that men like him were all the

them, a woman was just

realizing the faux pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce,

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

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

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

the fitting room,

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

Kristin said nothing.

Mr. Bryce likes girls with grace, like those who’ve

paused, still

Bryce for three years, and he ditches that haughty princess

looked down

assistant had brought, Kristin emerged

for a

be told, she had changed drastically. The sparkle

in the mirror, she quickly lowered her gaze,

to herself,

do.” James nodded.

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

Linda?” Kristin asked,

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Chapter 56

be James‘ girlfriend, then Kristin would have

going to destroy others‘ love.

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