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 clenched James‘

he could have helped Kristin,

to see her stripped of her

it to

the phones were steep, Kristin kept her

buying stuff unless he

Kristin seemed to be his one exception.

he

far away, looking up at him briefly, then fell silent.

took a deep breath.

his anger, edged

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

with the world.

then pointed to the simplest phone she could find, a

was prone to laughter, but Kristin had always been

up a

out.

to pull

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

Kristin stayed silent.

isn’t that… Mr.

and the display assistant lit up upon seeing James. “Mr.

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

Chapter 56

nose in the air, taking pride in her three–year stint with

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

that men like

woman was just a fleeting plaything,

faux pas, covered her mouth in panic. “Mr. Bryce, I didn’t mean…”

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

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

so timid like a country bumpkin. Did Mr. Bryce change his taste? He’s over those

in the fitting room, overhearing the gossip outside.

measured her and whispered, “What’s your relationship with

Kristin said nothing.

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

still

ditches that haughty

looked down on. What mattered was not interfering

a white dress the assistant had brought, Kristin emerged from

for a long silence.

changed drastically. The sparkle

in the mirror, she quickly lowered her

to herself, unfamiliar and frightening.

do.” James

to find more clothes for Kristin,

asked, looking

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

wasn’t going to destroy others‘ love.