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.

Dominick frowned, but he remained silent, took off

door and let out a

shortly after, the bathroom filled with the sound of

shower? Does that mean he’s staying

Stephanie tensed up..

thinking about what she was

lie down immediately and yank

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

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

minutes later, Dominick stepped out of

light blue robe, loosely tied, water droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked at the bed as soon as

for me?” he asked, raising

intense gaze, knowing she

not! How could I wait for you?” she thought, but

expression was inscrutable as he strode towards the bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up. “Are you, are you going

Dominick stood by the bed,

were truly

even redder, and she kept her head down, hardly

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

obeyed. Her heart raced as she shuffled

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

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

as his arm naturally wrapped

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

touching, the contact making her heart flutter and making

from him.

was holding her, and

25

20 Jun

Chapter 22

Stephanie? You want

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

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

man so close to her from the corner

glow of the lamp, he seemed less cold and domineering than

handsome.

became deep and steady.

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

he might have ulterior motives, Stephanie kept her eyes wide open, staying alert to

one o’clock in the morning, she finally gave in, her eyelids too heavy to

was uncomfortable

through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains swayed softly in the breeze with a gap left

was early December, and Christmas was just days away. The heater hummed, but the night air snuck in, carrying a hint

instinctively curling up and moving closer to the

her move closer and suddenly opened

been asleep. His eyes, bright as stars,

gently caressed her face as he recalled the

sleep and just stared at her face

felt like a

An annoyed voice suddenly rang out right by

awake, Stephanie’s

then did she notice the morning light spilling through the window.