Chapter 291
Chapter 291:
Refusing to meet Monica’s searching eyes, Kristine continued, her voice like ice. “You’ve always put on that same pitiful face, acting as though you were forced to marry my father. But let’s be honest — when he asked, you agreed without hesitation. Every time you pretended to defend me, you were actually thinking about Jemma. You keep saying you didn’t want things to end up like this, but tell me — did someone threaten you at gunpoint to drag me into court p>
Monica’s composure cracked, and her face went ghostly pale.
Kristine didn’t wait for a reply. “Stop with the charade. I can’t stand it.” She started walking toward the elevator, determined not to look back.
Monica grabbed her arm, desperate. “Please, Kristine, hear me out. I know you resent me, but I need to explain something p>
Kristine scowled and pulled free. “Let go of me p>
“Just listen for a second. Jemma told me what really happened in the restroom that day. You didn’t kill anyone, so stop blaming yourself. Your father chose to come back on his own. It had nothing to do with your birthday p>
The words hit Kristine like a bolt of lightning.
Fragments of old memories began swirling through her mind, clicking into place one by one. A lump formed in her throat, and she struggled for a moment before managing to whisper, “What are you talking about p>
“You weren’t the reason your father had that accident. Don’t let guilt eat away at you p>
Kristine’s vision blurred with tears that gathered despite her efforts to hold them back.
𝘈𝘤𝘁і𝘷𝖾 𝗰𝘰mmu𝗻іty оո
Monica called out to her, voice trembling. “Kristine… Kristine p>
Slowly turning, Kristine fixed Monica with a look laced with bitter amusement. “Just leave p>
Pain flickered in Monica’s eyes as tears began to fall. “Kristine p>
The sight of Monica’s false sympathy twisted Kristine’s stomach. She pressed a hand to her chest, her voice icy and sharp. “Get out. Now p>
“Okay, I’ll go. Please, calm down. Don’t keep blaming yourself. I’m leaving — I really am p>
Monica turned on her heel and hurried away, glancing back once, her eyes darting anxiously to where Kristine stood nearly buckling under the weight of her emotions. But the moment Monica realized how close Kristine was to breaking, any warmth in her gaze vanished, replaced by cold indifference.
Frozen in place, Kristine didn’t move.
In her mind, the haze of confusion slowly thinned, and old memories began to surface.
Back when her father’s car had crashed, Kristine had only just started grade school. No matter how packed his schedule, he had always made it home for her birthday. After his company took off, the distance between them grew, and holidays became the only times she could count on seeing him. As a little girl, those school vacations had been the highlight of her year.
One particular year, though, everything changed. Her father phoned out of the blue, explaining that he might not be able to come home and gently suggesting they celebrate her birthday on another day. It had already been over six months since she last saw him, and the idea of waiting any longer broke her heart. She threw a fit, sobbing into the phone and begging him to come back.
In the end, he promised he would return.