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.

demeanor, Dominick frowned, but he remained silent, took off his jacket, and

bathroom door and let out

after, the bathroom filled

that mean he’s staying here

Stephanie tensed up..

she kept thinking about

wave of panic made her lie down

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

back against the headboard, her eyes anxiously fixed on the

Dominick stepped out

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

me?” he asked,

gaze, knowing she had given the

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

awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up.

me out?” Dominick stood by the bed, his

they were truly married,

kept her head down, hardly daring to

saw her flushed cheeks and felt a flicker of something unexpected.

as she shuffled to

shuffling toward the edge of the bed as if he were a dangerous

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

arm naturally

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

skin lightly touching, the contact making her heart flutter and

from him.

her,

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Chapter 22

yet, Stephanie? You want to

rushed the company’s projects to return early and hadn’t slept in three days. His voice was hoarse as he

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

at the man so close to

the glow of the lamp, he seemed less cold and

handsome.

and steady. “Is

his warm breath and his hair tickling her skin.

Stephanie kept her eyes wide open, staying

in, her eyelids too heavy to stay

uncomfortable and wanted

streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains

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

body instinctively curling up and moving closer

closer and

been asleep. His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently

caressed her face as he recalled the past few

just stared at her face all night long, until

like a wild beast

An annoyed voice suddenly rang

Stephanie’s eyes snapped

notice the morning light spilling through the window. Dawn