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.

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

door and let

after, the bathroom filled with the sound of

that mean he’s staying

Stephanie tensed up..

about what

panic made her lie down immediately and yank the

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

quickly sat up again, her back against the headboard, her eyes

later, Dominick stepped out

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

for me?” he

intense gaze, knowing she had

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

and

me out?” Dominick stood

were truly

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

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

obeyed. Her heart raced as she shuffled to

the lamp. He watched her shuffling toward the edge

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

his arm naturally wrapped around

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

making her heart flutter and making her want to move a bit further

from him.

was holding her, and she couldn’t

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Chapter 22

yet, Stephanie? You want

tired. He had rushed the company’s projects to return early and

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

to her from the corner of

seemed less cold and domineering

handsome.

his breathing became deep and

the crook of her neck. She could feel his warm breath and his

Stephanie kept her eyes wide open, staying alert to avoid falling

one o’clock in the morning, she finally gave in, her eyelids too

was uncomfortable and wanted

washed over the spacious bedroom, streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains swayed softly

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

curling up

felt her move closer and suddenly opened his

His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on the face

her face as he

at her face all night long,

deeply, her dreams strange and vivid. It felt like a wild beast had been watching her intensely, making her

annoyed voice suddenly rang out right by

Stephanie’s eyes snapped

notice the morning light spilling through the window. Dawn