Chapter 78
Garner furrowed his brows, eyeing Clarence with suspicion. “What exactly are you up to?”
Clarence wanted to step inside, but Garner blocked his way.
“Clarence! I’m warning you, you better not show your face at my place alone.” Garner spat out angrily, barely holding back the urge to throw a punch.
Clarence, this typical rich kid, couldn’t take a hit, especially without his bodyguards around.
Clarence clenched his fingers into a fist. “Are you sure she hasn’t come back?”
“How could she come back after you drove her out of Silvergrove City? My nephew is asleep, so
cut the crazy act.” Garner shoved Clarence out the door.
Clarence looked down, his breathing becoming erratic.
Kristin hadn’t returned, and even his people in Crescendo Town couldn’t locate her. She must be in trouble…
“Listen here, whether you believe it or not, I gotta tell you again. Our family never mistreated Ruby, and I never laid a finger on her. Kris was swapped out by my mom when she was just a baby, she’s always been the victim here. There’s no need for you guys to treat her like this.”
Garner grabbed Clarence by the collar, his eyes bloodshot and on the verge of losing control. “Please, for the love of God, be kind.”
Clarence shoved Garner away, his anger flaring up. “Garner, you’ve got no right to expect me to trust you. Ruby is too kind–hearted and she would never tarnish her reputation to frame you! If you treated her so well, why would she be so depressed that she could take her life at any moment? I’m telling you, Garner, when it comes to choosing between you and my sister Ruby, I will always stand by my sister.” Clarence got into his car and floored it away.
Garner rubbed his temples, cursing under his breath. “Idiot…”
These rich folks must be brainless.
Taking a deep breath, Garner locked the gate securely and then dashed back inside to pack. “Kris, wake up Summer, we’re getting out of here tonight.”
Kristin was curled up in a corner, her face pale with fear. “Has Clarence left?”
Garner glanced outside. “He’s gone for now, but who knows if he’ll come back. We ain’t got much to take, so we’re leaving tonight. Crime comes with a price, and Adrienne will get what’s coming to her. We’re not giving in or settling.”
Kristin hugged her knees, crying pitifully.
Last night, she really thought she was going to die. She was so scared, truly terrified.
“Don’t be scared. I won’t leave you alone. If we have to run, we run as a family. We can’t let you
1/4
11:28
Chapter 78
bear this alone.” Garner was thick with emotion, his eyes reddening.
Men weren’t supposed to cry easily, but his heart ached for Kristin.
Garner had been worried sick about Kristin lately, afraid she was out there struggling to get by.
This time, he couldn’t let her suffer alone.
“Garner…” Kristin looked up at Garner, her voice choked with sobs..
Advancing closer, Garner whispered with an assuring tone, “Don’t fret. If things start to crumble, I’ll be here to hold them up for you.”
“Gamer, Summer’s condition is unstable and needs treatment… James said he’s discussed a treatment plan with specialists, which needs regular therapy for the upcoming year. We can’t run away.” Kristin shook her head, cleaning her tears.
Garner slowly dropped his hands, a powerless punch hitting the wall.
It was all because of his helplessness.
“Garner… Summer still needs to go to school, we can’t run.” Kristin forced a smile to look less scared. “Rhett said he’d protect us, he promised.”
Garner darkened his expression. “He’ll protect us? What is he, a philanthropist? How can he protect us for no reason? Kristin… what did you promise him? And what’s James doing? He’s Summer’s dad, what the hell is that bastard up to!”
Garner, agitated, continued, “Did Rhett touch you? I’ll kill him, just end it!”
Six years ago, when Kristin was harassed in a hotel, Garner, as her brother, couldn’t do anything.
They were like ants, rheant to be trampled underfoot.
“Adrienne is James‘ fiancée,” Kristin said with a weak smile.
Garner froze, his hands dropping limply.
Kristin continued, “Rhett says he needs an obedient woman by his side, someone to be a shield. occasionally. Because I’m obedient and easy to dismiss, he’s willing to protect us, even if it’s just temporary.”
Kristin didn’t know how long Rhett would protect her, probably until he got engaged or married.
But at least it would buy them some breathing room. “Rhett’s different from the others… He won’t touch me and is not lacking in women.”
Garner frowned, still skeptical. If Rhett needed an obedient woman as a shield, there must be thousands out there. Why Kristin?
“You were… Vincent’s former fiancée. Don’t you think he might have other schemes up his sleeve?” Garner wasn’t stupid. With Vincent in the picture, Rhett shouldn’t have chosen Kristin, but he did, which meant there was something fishy between Rhett and Vincent.
11:28
Chapter 78
Kristin, frightened, clenched her hands. She didn’t dare tell anyone that Rhett’s mother was killed by Nicola, fearing she would drag Garner and Summer into it.
“Garner… just let it be, we don’t have any other options right now. Summer still needs her treatments, we just can’t leave.” Kristin’s voice was barely audible, wanting to trust Rhett one last time.
If this last act of trust didn’t bring the protection she hoped for, then there was only one path
left for her.
It was a dead end.
If she died, it would be the best outcome for Summer and Garner.
“Mommy…” From the next room, Summer woke up, groggily calling for his mother.
Kristin rushed into the room, scooping up Summer in her arms. “I’m here.”
Summer suddenly burst into tears, thinking he was dreaming. “Mom, I miss you so much.”
“I’m not leaving anymore, not ever again,” Kristin hugged Summer tight, whispering comforts.
“Mommy.” Summer cupped Kristin’s cheeks with his tiny hands, taking a good look. “It’s not a dream, mommy’s back!”
Kristin laughed through her tears, tickled by Summer’s adorably clueless expression.
The sole purpose of living for Kristin would be to watch Summer grow up.
“Mom, I missed you so much, please don’t go away again, okay?” Summer snuggled into Kristin’s embrace. “I’ve been really good lately.”
Garner averted his gaze, pausing for a moment before putting on a smile and speaking up. *Summer started preschool recently. He’s super smart and even got praised by the teacher.”
“Really? So, do you want to keep going to preschool, Summer?” Kristin asked, beaming with joy. Summer seemed a bit scared but still nodded. He wanted to go to school.
“Be good, Summer, and sleep tight. I’m not going anywhere, I’ll be right here with you.”
Summer clung to Kristin in his arms, refusing to let go.
Kristin struggled to lift Summer, chuckling. “You have gotten so big, I can hardly lift you now.”
Summer looked somberly at the bandage on Kristin’s neck. “You’re hurt, let me blow on it and make the ouchie fly away.”
Kristin held Summer tight, her voice choked with emotion. “I won’t hurt anymore.”
Cradling her son and humming softly, Kristin sang a lullaby.
This lullaby was taught by an older lady in prison whose son died at eight. She was so traumatized that she would sometimes hum this tutlaby out of the blue.
11:28
Chapter 78
“Adrienne shared the video in the preschool parents‘ group. I was worried about Summer getting affected, so I let him take a break from school,” Garner whispered.
Kristin darkened her eyes. “We didn’t do anything wrong. Why should we suffer for it? I’ll take Summer to school tomorrow.”
“The principal of Angelic Guard International Nursery is said to be from the Haywood family.” Garner sounded concerned.
“Then we’ll change schools,” Kristin resolved, unwilling to let Summer be mistreated.
