Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Vincent shot Kristin a frowning glance. “Where do you think you’re heading off to?”

Kristin looked down and started to back away with Summer in tow. “Nowhere. Didn’t have a place in mind.”

Vincent’s expression was foul as he warned her with his gaze. “Put the kid down. Take a shower, change your clothes, and come with me.”

Tightly gripping Summer, Kristin stepped back, fear lacing her voice as she stammered, “I don’t want to go.”

“Today is Ruby’s birthday. Regardless of your feelings, you are going!” Vincent’s voice echoed. icy cold.

Kristin looked at Vincent, panic–stricken. “I… I’m not going…”

“Kristin, don’t push your luck. Ruby’s not well, and she’s very kind to have invited you. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” Vincent was coaxing Kristin to attend because he didn’t want to upset Ruby.

Kristin was trembling.

It was Ruby’s birthday. And it was her birthday, too.

Yet, she had forgotten her own because she didn’t feel deserving of celebrating it and was even

afraid to.

Sometimes, Kristin wished she could have died on the day she was born.

But life doesn’t deal with what–ifs.

“Vincent… please, can I not go?” Kristin pleaded softly.

Was he killing her? Wasn’t giving up a kidney enough for him?

“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Vincent’s voice was a cold threat.

Kristin knew she couldn’t dodge this bullet.

Sending Summer back to the storage room, she made him promise not to wander off and to be good.

Summer obediently situated himself on the scrappy bed, promising to wait for his mommy’s return.

Kristin handed him the last piece of cake, telling him to eat it if hungry.

After leaving the storage room, Kristin showered but still wore her clothes, waiting in the courtyard for Vincent.

She knew she would face the relentless ridicule and endless insults.

Chapter 13

If that was the spectacle Vincent wanted, she’d give it to him.

“Why aren’t you wearing the dress the nanny picked for you?” Vincent came out, looking at Kristin with disgust.

It was Ruby’s birthday, so Vincent was dressed to the nines in a designer suit, looking better than a movie star.

Kristin gazed at Vincent calmly, her heart no longer racing at the sight of him. After all these years, the love was finally gone.

“I’m not used to them.” She didn’t want to wear a dress because of the many scars that marred

her body.

She was so thin. Nothing looked good on her anyway, so she might as well stick to what she had on.

Vincent couldn’t be bothered with Kristin and headed straight for the car.

Kristin cautiously opened the car’s back door and got in, huddling in the farthest corner.

Vincent glimpsed Kristin in the rearview mirror, momentarily lost in thought.

Once upon a time, she would always ride shotgun in his car.

“This seat is reserved for me alone,” she would claim.

And he’d dote on her. “Yeah, no other woman is allowed in my passenger seat.

H

Looking back, it felt like a cruel joke.

“Kristin, have you ever regretted it?” The car parked in the underground lot of Diamond Crest Hotel, and Vincent asked, “If you hadn’t betrayed me then, I wouldn’t have left you even if you

weren’t Ms. Turner.”

+

Feeling weary, Kristin found Vincent’s words laughable.

She struggled desperately and cried out for help, but where was he when she needed protection the most? He was with Ruby. And he had the nerve to ask if she had any regrets.

“I owe the Turner family. I owe Ruby big time. But Vincent, I owe you nothing.” Kristin took a deep breath, pushed the car door open, and exited.

Infuriated by Kristin’s attitude, Vincent got out of the car, grabbed her wrist, and slammed her against the wall, pinning her down. “You owe me nothing? You slept with some nobody and had his lowlife kid. How dare you say you owe me nothing? Kristin, you owe me for the rest of your life!” Vincent was losing control, forcing Kristin to look at him.

Kristin stubbornly refused to meet his gaze.

Vincent said word by word, “You were so desperate six years ago. Have you been able to live without a man for these five years?”

Kristin’s eyes reddened, and with courage from somewhere she didn’t know, she slapped

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Chapter 13

Vincent across the face.

Vincent returned the slap. “What gives you the right to hit me? You’re the one being cheap!”

Kristin stood there, dazed.

It was the first time Vincent had hit her. The slap meant things between them were over.

When Ruby took him to catch her red–handed in the hotel six years ago, he saw the blood on the pristine sheets and yelled at her for losing control but never had the heart to slap her.

What a joke.

Inhaling deeply, Kristin trailed after Vincent, her ears still ringing.

Vincent’s fingers noticeably shook. He regretted hitting her the moment he did it.

But he knew he could never forgive Kristin, and they could never go back.

“Look who’s here! Today’s star, Miss Kristin!”

No sooner had they entered the room than the rich kids started to make fun of Kristin.

“Vincent, you sure know how to play the game. Nice going,” one of the silver spoon kids chuckled, coming over and giving Vincent a chummy nudge on the shoulder. “Word on the street is she’s available for the right price. True story?”

Vincent shot the guy a cold look, his voice deep. “Why don’t you ask her yourself?”