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 off his

watched as he shut the bathroom door and let

after, the bathroom filled with the sound

a shower? Does that mean he’s

Stephanie tensed up..

up, and she kept thinking about

of panic made her lie down immediately and yank

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

the headboard,

ten minutes later, Dominick stepped

his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked at

for me?” he asked, raising his

his intense gaze, knowing she

wait for you?” she thought, but the situation seemed

he strode towards the bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up. “Are you,

to kick me out?” Dominick stood

they were truly married, but

she kept her head down, hardly daring to kick him

felt a flicker of something unexpected. “Move over a bit,”

heart raced as she shuffled

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

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

his arm naturally wrapped around

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

touching, the contact making her heart flutter and making her want to move a

from him.

her,

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Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 22

Stephanie? You

the company’s projects to return early and

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

so close to her

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

handsome.

and

the crook of her neck. She could feel his warm breath and his hair tickling her skin. She

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

she finally gave in, her eyelids

uncomfortable

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

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

her body instinctively curling up and

closer and

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

caressed her face as he recalled the past few

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

felt like a wild beast had been watching her intensely, making her feel

rang

awake, Stephanie’s

morning light