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.

remained silent, took off his jacket,

bathroom door and let out

bathroom filled with the

taking a shower? Does that mean he’s staying

Stephanie tensed up..

she kept thinking about

down

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

quickly sat up again, her back against the headboard, her eyes anxiously fixed on the

minutes later, Dominick stepped out

light blue robe, loosely tied, water droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked

waiting for me?” he

blushed under his intense gaze, knowing she had

thought, but the situation

awkwardly, and

me out?” Dominick stood by the bed, his

knew they were truly married,

even redder, and she kept her head down, hardly daring to kick

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

raced as she

watched her shuffling

“Stephanie, if you dare

out of bed and hurt our baby..” he

his arm naturally

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

her, their skin lightly touching, the contact making her heart flutter and making her want to move a bit further

from him.

was holding her, and

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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 he murmured

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

so close to her from the corner

he seemed less cold and

handsome.

deep and steady.

and his hair tickling her skin. She push him away but was afraid of

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

gave in, her eyelids too heavy to stay open any

was uncomfortable

windows. The curtains swayed

was just days away. The heater hummed, but

curling up and moving closer to the

move closer

eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on the

gently caressed her face as he

and just stared at her

dreams strange and vivid. It felt like a wild beast

suddenly rang out

awake, Stephanie’s eyes

morning light spilling through