?<strong>Chapter 255:</strong>


    Camille looked at Kristopher skeptically. “You’re saying you came all the way out here, inspired by something Carrie once mentioned, out of charity?”


    Kristopher paused for a moment, then added, “There was another person who influenced my decision.”


    This revtion extinguished the faint warmth that had begun to grow in Carrie’s heart. She foundfort in the idea; it was easier if Kristopher remained emotionally distant, preventing any feelings that might challenge her resolution to pursue a divorce.


    Camille mmed her fork down, her voiceced with irony. “Oh, let me guess, it was that maniptor, right? Kristopher, why bring her up now, just to upset us?”


    Kristopher responded calmly, “It’s not about her.”


    Unconvinced, Camille scoffed, “Sure, typical man, always lying.”


    Albin, who had been enjoying his chicken, hastily set it aside and covered Camille’s mouth with his hand, scolding, “Don’t jump to conclusions, please.”


    Camille, annoyed, bit into Albin’s hand.


    “Ouch! What’s with you biting me like a dog?” Albin eximed, flinching as he noticed the two teeth marks on his hand.


    Ignoring Camille’s outburst, Kristopher took a leisurely sip of his water, his gaze casually falling on Carrie. Carrie, acting as if she hadn’t noticed his gaze, quickly finished her meal. “I’ll go tidy up the apartment… though it’s quite small, just two rooms.”


    Oliver immediately interjected, “Mrs. Norris, I’ll book a room at the nearby hotel.”


    Albin, tugging at Camille’s sleeve, suggested, “We should stay at the hotel too.”


    Camille retorted, “Who said I wanted to stay in a hotel? You nning something sneaky?”


    In a flustered tone, Albin replied, “Something sneaky? What are you talking about? Stop spouting nonsense. I’ve booked two separate rooms!”


    He quickly steered the conversation back on track. “After a whole day on the road, if you stay at Carrie’s, she’ll need to prepare an additional room.”


    “Okay, I’ll just book at the hotel,” Camille said.


    Kristopher remained quiet, and Carrie assumed he would choose the hotel as well. She turned to Oliver and said, “Could I have the car keys? I need to get my things from the car.”


    Oliver nced at Kristopher before responding, “Mrs. Norris, please go ahead. I’ll bring your luggage to you in a moment.”


    “Alright,” Carrie responded, then addressed the group. “I’ll sort things out at the apartment tomorrow. Everyone else can n as they wish. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got instant noodles, so I’ll be fine on my own.”


    With a pout on her lips, Camille listened as Albin leaned in and whispered, “She came back to visit her mom’s grave. It’s only natural for her to feel emotional at this time.”


    epting his exnation, Camille held back herints and simply said, “Alright.”


    After this exchange, Carrie rose from her seat and left. Looking toward Kristopher, Albin inquired, “Where are you nning to stay tonight, Kristopher?”


    “It doesn’t concern you,” Kristopher answered sharply, casting a stern nce at Albin before standing and walking out.


    Just a short walk from Gracie’s apartmentplex, Carrie meandered along a narrow trail. Surrounded by decades of history, the neighborhood’s structures were draped with creeping ivy. The air was filled with the scent of home-cooked delicacies, asionally punctuated by snippets of conversation emanating from open windows. In its quaintness, this locale offered a warmth that was missing in the relentless hustle ofrger cities.


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