Crossroads

Chapter 22

Stephanie snatched her smartphone from the nightstand, a flicker of surprise on her lace when she saw the caller.

She pressed the answer button and called out with a relaxed tone. “Auntie Diana,” she smiled, greeting cheerfully.

“Steff, you sound happy today. Did Kevin come home early for dinner?” Diana teased from the other end as she heard Stephanie’s voice.

Stephanie’s face fell instantly. She wondered if she should tell Diana what was happening lately.

Diana, meanwhile, grew more excited and quickly added, “Steffi, I met a fortune teller today. She said you’ve made a good match and won’t have to suffer in the future….

“I know it sounds superstitious, but it puts my mind at ease. Since I took you away from the Reeds, it’s been hard for you. You even wanted to use your mom’s legacy to help Kevin, Honestly, I was against it then, but as long as you’re happy and doing well, I think your mom would be happy for you…”

“I’m not happy… Stephanie thought.

Diana’s mention of her mother brought a rush of emotion, and Stephanie’s eyes stung with tears.

“Steffi? Is something wrong?” Diana sensed the silence on the other end of the phone and asked with concern.

“No, nothing” Stephanie forced a smile and quickly made up a lie. “Just a bit of a cold recently”

Considering her aunt’s heart condition, she didn’t intend to share the news of her divorce and pregnancy just yet.

Then, Stephanie quickly changed the subject, asking “Aunt Diana, is the sanatorium trying a new medication? Does that mean you can’t come home this Christmas?”

“I’ve heard about a medication from abroad that might help. I don’t know how much this treatment will cost, but Steffi, you shouldn’t worry about me. I’m used to it all and don’t want to be a burden to you.”

“How can you be a burden? You’re the only family I have left, Aunt Diana. Please don’t leave me alone,” Stephanie said, becoming a bit emotional as memories of the past surged.

ed for a moment before asking in a low voice, “Steffi, do you really never plan to go back to the Reeds?

Diana paused for a

“I’ve cut ties with them for many years now. No one knows about me, and I don’t care about it either.”

Diana’s expression became a mix of resignation and helplessness as she heard this.

“Forget it. Let’s leave that behind us. No more talk of the Roods.”

Then, she smiled slyly and added, “By the way, Steffi, I ran into someone you know at the doctor’s. Guess who…”

Suddenly, the door opened with a click.

Stephanie lifted her head alertly, her eyes darting to the door. She hadn’t even heard the rest of Diana’s sentence.

Dominick walked in, casting a suspicious look her way.

“Steffi, what’s going on?” Diana’s voice came loudly through the phone, sensing something off about her today.

“Aunt Diana, my phone’s dying. We can talk when you’re back, Goodbye, got some rest,” Stephanie said quickly, her face tense as she eyed the man

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Chapter 22

before her, and then she hung up.

After ending the call, she sat up straight, looking nervously at the man in front of her.

but he remained silent, took off his jacket, and went straight into the

watched as he shut the bathroom door and

bathroom filled with

taking a shower? Does that mean he’s staying here

Stephanie tensed up..

thinking about what she was supposed to

of panic made her lie down immediately and

was just lying there, especially

against the headboard,

ten minutes later, Dominick stepped out

light blue robe, loosely tied, water droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked

waiting for me?” he asked, raising his

intense gaze, knowing

she thought, but

awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up. “Are you, are you going

to kick me out?” Dominick stood

knew they were truly

she kept her head down, hardly daring to

flushed cheeks and felt a flicker

raced as she shuffled to the other side of

He watched her shuffling toward the edge of the

“Stephanie, if you dare

to fall out of bed and hurt our baby..” he warned, his eyes holding a complex emotion

arm

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

touching, the contact making her

from him.

holding her, and she couldn’t

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Chapter 22

Stephanie? You want

tired. He had rushed the company’s projects to return early and hadn’t slept in three days. His voice

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

to her from

were closed. Under the glow of the lamp, he seemed less cold and domineering

handsome.

his breathing became deep and

warm breath and his hair tickling her skin. She push him away but was afraid of waking

her eyes wide open, staying alert to

in the morning, she finally gave in, her eyelids

uncomfortable and

spacious bedroom, streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains swayed softly in the breeze with a

early December, and Christmas was just days away. The heater hummed,

curling up and moving closer to

felt her move closer and suddenly opened his

eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on the face

fingers gently caressed her face as he recalled the past

sleep and just stared at

vivid. It felt like a wild

voice suddenly rang out

awake, Stephanie’s eyes snapped

morning light spilling through