?<strong>Chapter 388:</strong>


    “Don’t y games with me,” Billie shot back with a pointed look.


    Then, her tone shifted to something more serious. “And take care of your injury. You’re not a child anymore, Kristopher. Act like an adult.”


    Though Billie hadn’t addressed her, Carrie replied sincerely, “I’ll make sure he’s careful.”


    Billie nced at Carrie and gave a curt nod before closing the car door.


    As Billie’s car rolled out of the hospital courtyard, Carrie turned and got into Kristopher’s car.


    She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her messages. A notification caught her eye—it was a reminder about Daxton’s uing birthday. She paused, thinking of all the ways Daxton had helped her, from saving her on the ship to supporting her during difficult times. While giving him a gift outright might seem too calcted, using his birthday as an opportunity felt natural. A small token of gratitude would be appropriate—and something Daxton wouldn’t refuse.


    She turned to Oliver. “Oliver, let’s stop by Evergreen za.” Kristopher nced at her as he settled into the seat. “Is there something you need? I can have it delivered to the house.”


    Carrie waved a hand dismissively. “I just want to go shopping.”


    Kristopher didn’t argue, epting her exnation with a nod. When they arrived at the mall, Kristopher moved to get out of the car with her, but Carrie stopped him. “I’ll just grab what I need and be right back.”


    Kristopher frowned. “Don’t you enjoy shopping?” Carrie didn’t bother with a lengthy excuse. “This is a girl thing, don’t worry about it.”


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    His face darkened, displeased at being excluded. To soften the mood, Carrie coaxed him like a child. “I’ll cook for you tonight. Be good.”


    Kristopher’s expression immediately shifted, his mood improving as he grinned. “I want steamed egg with sea urchin.”


    Carrie recalled they were out of sea urchin and casually improvised. “Your hand’s injured; sea urchin isn’t good for you right now. How about steamed egg with minced meat?”


    “That works too,” Kristopher agreed, oblivious to the ploy.


    Carrie smiled at hispliance and, on impulse, reached out to ruffle his neatly styled hair. His soft ck locks fell into disarray under her fingers. For a moment, she thought he might protest, but Kristopher simply sat there, letting her do as she pleased, like a big, obedient dog.


    In the front seat, Oliver watched the scene unfold through the rearview mirror and nearly choked on his breath. It had been years since anyone dared to touch Kristopher’s hair like that—not even Billie had tried since he was in middle school. This act was like pulling fur from a tiger. But what stunned him even more was that Kristopher didn’t mind. He sat there calmly, his usual icy pride melted into something almost tender as Carrie mussed his hair.


    Oliver nced away quickly, hiding his thoughts. So, this is what happens when a man realizes what he almost lost. If he’d acted like this before, Mrs. Norris would have never brought up divorce. Still, Oliver kept his musings to himself. Kristopher might tolerate anything from Carrie, but Oliver wasn’t foolish enough to test his patience.


    Carrie stepped off the elevator into the mall’s shopping area, her eyes immediately drawn to the sleek design of a newly opened Morwick counter. A pen came to mind—simple, yet thoughtful. In her mind’s eye, she pictured Daxton, seated by a window in a crisp white shirt, writing with focused intensity. Among everyone she knew, Daxton was the most schrly. Oliver had a polished demeanor too, but his refinement was tempered by years of handling Kristopher’s demanding world. Daxton, however, carried an air of pure elegance, untainted by pragmatism.


    With a sense of rity, Carrie decided on her gift and walked confidently toward the counter. As she approached, the saleswoman behind the counter initially smiled, but upon taking in Carrie’s unassuming outfit, her expression grew dismissive. She didn’t bother greeting Carrie and instead turned to whisper with another saleswoman. Carrie immediately understood. She wasn’t wearing high-end brands, so the saleswoman had decided she wasn’t a “serious” customer.


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