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 his

the bathroom door

shortly after, the bathroom filled with the sound of

that mean

Stephanie tensed up..

up, and she kept thinking about what she was supposed to

wave of panic made her lie down immediately

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

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

minutes later, Dominick stepped out of the

sculpted

me?” he asked,

blushed under his intense gaze, knowing she had

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

bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up.

me out?” Dominick stood by the bed, his

they were truly married,

even redder, and she kept her head down,

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

raced as she shuffled to the other side of the

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

“Stephanie, if you dare

our baby..” he warned, his eyes holding

as his arm naturally wrapped around

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

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

from him.

her, and

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Chapter 22

yet, Stephanie? You want to do

had rushed the company’s projects to return early and hadn’t

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 day, instead

handsome.

became deep and steady. “Is he asleep?’

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

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

in the morning, she finally gave in,

was uncomfortable

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

heater hummed, but the night air snuck

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

her move closer and

bright as

face as he recalled the past

stared at

felt like a wild beast had

rang out right

Stephanie’s eyes

the morning light spilling through