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.

frowned, but he remained silent, took

shut the bathroom door and

shortly after, the bathroom filled

that mean he’s staying here

Stephanie tensed up..

she kept thinking about what she was supposed

panic made her lie down immediately

lying there, especially now

her back against the

minutes later, Dominick stepped out

blue robe, loosely tied, water droplets clinging to his sculpted chest,

for me?” he

knowing she

wait for you?” she thought, but the situation seemed like she had been

as he strode towards the bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then

me out?” Dominick stood by

knew they were truly married, but

turned even redder, and she kept her head down, hardly daring to kick

a flicker of something unexpected. “Move over

Her heart raced as she shuffled to the other side of

shuffling toward the

“Stephanie, if you dare

bed and hurt our baby..” he warned, his eyes holding

arm naturally wrapped around

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

making her heart flutter and making her

from him.

was holding her, and

25

Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 22

sleeping yet, Stephanie? You

to return early and hadn’t slept in three days. His voice

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

close to her from the corner of her

the lamp, he seemed

handsome.

breathing became deep and steady.

of her neck. She could feel his warm breath and his hair tickling her skin. She push him

motives, Stephanie kept her eyes wide open, staying alert to

o’clock in the morning, she finally gave in,

was uncomfortable and

curtains

was just days away. The heater hummed,

furrowed her brows slightly, her body instinctively curling up and

her move closer and

asleep. His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently

fingers gently caressed her face as he recalled the past

at her face

and vivid. It felt like a

rang out right

Stephanie’s eyes snapped

light spilling through the