?<strong>Chapter 359:</strong>


    Carrie’s anxiety spiked instantly. “He neverins about pain! Dr. Molina, should we bandage him here or rush to the hospital for a proper check-up?”


    Dr. Molina, knowing Kristopher’s uncanny tolerance for pain, exchanged a nce with Oliver. The memory of Kristopher walking away from a gang ambush, bullets embedded in his body, without so much as a grimace, was still fresh. This wasn’t pain—it was theater, a masterful act of self-sacrifice.


    Carrie straightened, snapping into action. “Oliver, you drive. I’ll sit in the front. Dr. Molina, you and Kristopher can take the backseat.”


    Dr. Molina hesitated for a fraction of a second, catching Kristopher’s sharp, almost imperceptible look. It spoke volumes: y along.


    Clearing his throat, Dr. Molina sped up his bandaging. “Mrs. Norris, it’s done.”


    But I strongly rmend you sit with him. He’s lost a lot of blood and could faint. He’ll need someone to steady him.”


    Carrie didn’t argue, simply nodding. “Alright.” She knew Kristopher’s aversion to touch ran deep—deeper than hers ever had. For years, even those closest to him knew to maintain a respectful distance.


    Sliding into the backseat, she positioned herself beside him, carefully supporting his weight. He leaned against her, lightly at first, as though testing the boundaries. After a moment of silence, he whispered, his voice barely audible, “Can I ask you something?”


    Pale-lipped and seemingly on the brink of copse, he looked vulnerable.


    “Let’s wait until you’re stronger,” Carrie advised. “Save your strength.”


    But Kristopher persisted, his head resting near hers. “I’m afraid I won’t have another chance.”


    Noticing his pallor, Carrie rubbed his other arm that was uninjured. “Are you cold?” She knew blood loss could dramatically lower body temperature.


    “Don’t say things like that,” she snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. “You’ll be fine. Just hold on.” Despite the pain and blood loss, he straightened slightly, meeting her eyes with a determination that felt out of ce in his weakened state.


    “Can we not talk about divorce? Let’s put the past behind us and start over.”


    Carrie froze at his words, momentarily breathless, unsure how to react. Her instincts urged her to retreat, and she shifted a little to the side, creating some distance.


    Without missing a beat, Kristopher pressed his hand over the wound, letting out a groan as he discreetly applied pressure.


    “Are you alright?” Carrie asked, hesitant to move, her gaze full of concern as she watched him. The bandages, freshly applied, were already soaked through. Panic set in as tears welled up in Carrie’s eyes. She turned desperately to Dr. Molina in the front seat. “Dr. Molina, why is there so much blood?”


    Dr. Molina, knowing Kristopher was faking, pretended not to hear and kept his focus on his phone.


    Kristopher ignored her question entirely and repeated, “Can we just not get a divorce?”


    Carrie’s mind went nk, and all she could hear was her own breath echoing in the silence. Kristopher had publicly revealed her identity on the variety show and had risked his life protecting her from a knife attack in the parking lot…


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