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,

as he shut the bathroom door and let

after, the bathroom filled with

Does that mean he’s

Stephanie tensed up..

thinking about what she was

made her lie down immediately and yank

that if she was just lying there, especially now that she was incapacitated, she

back against the headboard, her eyes anxiously fixed on the bathroom

later, Dominick stepped out

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

you waiting for me?” he asked, raising

blushed under his intense gaze, knowing she had given the

How could I wait for you?” she thought, but the situation seemed like she had been anticipating

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

stood

they were

turned even redder, and she kept her head

cheeks and felt a flicker of something unexpected. “Move over

obeyed. Her heart raced as she shuffled to

her and dimmed the lamp. He watched her shuffling toward the edge of the

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

arm naturally wrapped

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

their skin lightly touching, the contact making her heart flutter

from him.

was holding her, and she couldn’t

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Chapter 22

aren’t you sleeping yet, Stephanie?

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

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

the man so close to her from the

lamp, he seemed less cold and domineering than

handsome.

and steady. “Is he asleep?’

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

motives, Stephanie kept her eyes

she finally gave in, her eyelids too heavy to stay open any

uncomfortable and wanted

streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains swayed softly in

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

her brows slightly, her body instinctively curling up and moving

her move closer and

asleep. His eyes, bright as stars,

caressed her face as he recalled

couldn’t sleep and just stared at her face all night long,

her dreams strange and vivid. It felt like a wild

rang out

awake, Stephanie’s eyes snapped

then did she notice the morning light spilling through