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

he shut the bathroom door and let out a sigh

bathroom filled with the

that mean he’s

Stephanie tensed up..

and she kept thinking about what she was supposed

down

was just lying there, especially now

the headboard, her

later, Dominick

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

you waiting for me?” he asked, raising his

blushed under his intense gaze, knowing she

I wait for you?” she thought,

inscrutable as he strode towards the bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then

to kick me out?” Dominick stood by the bed, his voice

they were truly married,

she kept her head down, hardly

and felt a flicker of something unexpected. “Move over a

raced as she shuffled to the other side

He watched her shuffling toward the edge of the bed

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

as his arm naturally wrapped around

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

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

from him.

he was holding her,

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Chapter 22

yet, Stephanie? You want

seemed tired. He had rushed the company’s projects to return early and hadn’t slept in three days. His voice was

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

glanced at the man so close to her from the corner of

he seemed less cold and domineering than during the day, instead

handsome.

and steady. “Is

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

might have ulterior motives, Stephanie kept her eyes

she finally gave in, her eyelids too heavy

was uncomfortable

the spacious bedroom, streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains swayed softly in the breeze with a gap left open at the

was just days away. The heater hummed, but the night air snuck in, carrying a

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

closer

as stars,

gently caressed her face as he

and just stared at her face all night long, until

strange and vivid. It felt like a wild beast had

voice suddenly rang out right

awake, Stephanie’s

the morning light spilling