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.

silent, took off his

the bathroom door and

bathroom filled with

taking a shower? Does that mean he’s staying here

Stephanie tensed up..

up, and she kept thinking about what she

down immediately and yank the covers

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

the headboard, her

ten minutes later, Dominick

droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked

you waiting for me?” he

intense gaze, knowing

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

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

kick me out?” Dominick stood by

were truly married,

and she kept her head down,

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

Her heart raced as she shuffled to the

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

“Stephanie, if you dare

baby..” he warned, his

as his arm naturally

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

contact making her heart flutter and making

from him.

holding her, and

25

Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 22

aren’t you sleeping yet, Stephanie? You want

to return early and hadn’t slept in three days. His voice was hoarse as he

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

so close to her from the corner

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

handsome.

his breathing became deep and steady. “Is he asleep?’ she

could feel his warm breath and

motives, Stephanie kept her eyes wide

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

uncomfortable and wanted

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

days away. The heater hummed, but the night

her brows slightly, her body instinctively curling up and moving closer to the warm body

move closer

eyes, bright as

her face as he recalled the past few

just stared at her face all night long,

and vivid. It felt like a wild beast had been watching her intensely,

suddenly rang

Stephanie’s eyes

then did she notice the morning light spilling through