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.

he remained silent, took off his

he shut the bathroom door and let out a

the bathroom filled with

a shower? Does that mean

Stephanie tensed up..

kept thinking about what she was

panic made her lie down immediately

she was just lying there, especially

the headboard, her eyes anxiously fixed on

later, Dominick stepped out of the

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

me?”

blushed under his intense gaze, knowing

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

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

to kick me out?” Dominick stood by the

were truly

kept her head down, hardly daring to kick him

saw her flushed cheeks and felt a flicker of something unexpected. “Move over a bit,” he

as she

dimmed the lamp. He watched her shuffling toward the edge

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

as his arm

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

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

from him.

he was holding her, and

25

20 Jun

Chapter 22

sleeping yet, Stephanie? You

and hadn’t slept in three days. His voice was hoarse as he murmured

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

to her from

were closed. Under the glow of the lamp, he seemed less cold and domineering

handsome.

and steady.

head rested in the crook of her neck. She could feel his warm breath and his hair tickling her skin. She push him away

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

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

uncomfortable

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

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

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

closer and suddenly opened

His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on the

as he

just stared at her face

a wild beast had

voice suddenly rang out right by

Stephanie’s

did she notice the morning light spilling