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.

silent, took

bathroom door and let

shortly after, the bathroom filled with

Does that mean

Stephanie tensed up..

kept thinking about what she was supposed to

of panic made her lie down

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

sat up again, her back against the headboard, her eyes anxiously

later, Dominick stepped out of

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

me?” he asked, raising

knowing she

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

Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then hurriedly

out?” Dominick stood by

they were truly

kept her head down, hardly

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

heart raced as she shuffled to the other side of

settled next to her and dimmed the lamp. He watched her shuffling

“Stephanie, if you dare

baby..” he warned, his eyes holding

arm

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

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

from him.

her, and she couldn’t

25

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Chapter 22

yet, Stephanie? You want to

the company’s projects to return early and hadn’t slept in three

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

the man so close to her from

eyes were closed. Under the glow of the lamp, he seemed less cold and domineering than during the

handsome.

deep and steady. “Is

warm breath and his hair tickling her skin. She

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

finally gave in, her eyelids too

was uncomfortable and wanted

windows. The curtains swayed softly in the breeze with a gap

away. The heater hummed, but the

furrowed her brows slightly, her body instinctively curling up and moving

closer and suddenly opened

been asleep. His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on the

caressed her face as he recalled the past

stared at her face all night

dreams strange and vivid. It felt like a wild beast had been watching

annoyed voice suddenly rang out right

awake, Stephanie’s eyes snapped

morning light spilling through the window. Dawn