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

799

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.

he remained silent, took off

as he shut the bathroom door and let out a sigh

filled with the sound of

taking a shower? Does that

Stephanie tensed up..

about

her lie down immediately and yank the covers over

if she was just lying there, especially now

back against the headboard, her

later, Dominick stepped out

droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked at the bed as soon as he walked

me?” he asked, raising

knowing

thought, but the situation seemed like she

expression was inscrutable as he strode towards the bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up.

Dominick stood

knew they were truly

even redder, and she kept her head down,

flicker of something unexpected. “Move over

she

and dimmed the lamp. He watched her shuffling toward the edge of the bed as if he were a

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

arm naturally

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

next to her, their skin lightly touching, the contact making her heart flutter and making her want to

from him.

holding her, and

25

Thu, 20

Chapter 22

Stephanie? You

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

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

to

of the lamp, he seemed less cold and domineering than during the day, instead appearing

handsome.

became deep and steady.

her neck. She could feel his warm breath and his hair

her eyes wide open,

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

uncomfortable and wanted

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

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

body instinctively curling up and

move closer and suddenly

as

fingers gently caressed her face as he recalled the past few

at her

deeply, her dreams strange and vivid. It felt like a wild beast had been watching her intensely, making her

suddenly rang out right by

awake, Stephanie’s

the morning light spilling through the window. Dawn