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

799

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

the bathroom door and let

the bathroom filled with the sound of running

that

Stephanie tensed up..

and she kept thinking about what she was supposed

of panic made her lie down immediately and yank

she thought that if she was just lying there,

against the headboard, her eyes anxiously

later, Dominick stepped out of the

droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked

for me?” he asked, raising

intense gaze, knowing

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

bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up. “Are you, are you going to sleep

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

they were

her head

her flushed cheeks and felt a flicker of

she shuffled to the other side of the

shuffling toward the edge of the bed

“Stephanie, if you dare

out of bed and hurt our baby..” he warned,

as his arm naturally wrapped around

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

the contact making her heart flutter and making her want to move

from him.

holding her, and she couldn’t

25

20

Chapter 22

you sleeping yet, Stephanie?

early and hadn’t slept

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

at the man so close to her from the corner of

the glow of the lamp, he seemed less cold and

handsome.

became deep and steady. “Is

warm breath and his hair tickling her skin.

motives, Stephanie kept her eyes wide open, staying

in, her eyelids

was uncomfortable

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

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

instinctively curling up

closer

hadn’t been asleep. His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on

as he

just stared at her face all night long,

her dreams strange and vivid. It felt like a wild

rang out right

Stephanie’s eyes snapped

the morning light spilling through the window. Dawn had