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.

her anxious demeanor, Dominick frowned, but he remained silent, took off his jacket, and went

door and let out a sigh of

shortly after, the bathroom filled with the

that mean he’s staying here

Stephanie tensed up..

up, and she kept thinking about what she

made her lie down immediately and yank the

there, especially now that she was incapacitated,

quickly sat up again, her back against the headboard,

Dominick stepped out of

droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked at the

me?” he asked, raising

his intense gaze, knowing she had

thought, but the situation seemed like she had been

the bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up. “Are you, are

out?” Dominick stood by

they were truly married, but

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

a flicker of something

as she shuffled to the other side of the

her shuffling toward

“Stephanie, if you dare

out of bed and hurt our baby..” he warned, his

as his arm naturally wrapped

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

was right there next to her, their skin lightly touching, the contact making her heart flutter and making her

from him.

he was holding her, and she couldn’t

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Chapter 22

sleeping yet, Stephanie? You

to return early and hadn’t slept

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

close to her from the corner

seemed less cold and domineering than during the day, instead appearing more

handsome.

his breathing became deep and

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

kept her eyes wide open, staying alert

in, her eyelids

was uncomfortable and

The curtains swayed softly in the breeze with a gap

away. The heater hummed, but the night air snuck in, carrying a hint

instinctively curling up and moving closer to the warm body beside

closer and

His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on the face

caressed her face as he recalled the past

just stared at her

felt like a wild beast had been watching

An annoyed voice suddenly rang out

Stephanie’s eyes snapped

morning light spilling through the window. Dawn had