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.

silent, took off

shut the bathroom door and

after, the bathroom filled with

a shower? Does that mean he’s staying

Stephanie tensed up..

she kept thinking about what she

wave of panic made her lie down immediately and yank the covers

she was just lying there, especially

up again, her back against the headboard, her eyes anxiously fixed

minutes later, Dominick stepped out of the

to his sculpted chest, and he immediately looked at the

for me?” he asked, raising his

gaze, knowing

she thought,

towards the bed. Stephanie shuffled awkwardly, and then

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

were

even redder, and she kept her head down, hardly daring

saw her flushed cheeks and felt a flicker

Stephanie obeyed. Her heart raced as she shuffled

dimmed the lamp. He watched her shuffling toward the edge of the

“Stephanie, if you dare

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

as his arm naturally

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

to her, their skin lightly touching, the contact making her

from him.

he was holding her, and

25

20 Jun

Chapter 22

you sleeping yet, Stephanie? You want

projects to return early and hadn’t slept in three days. His voice was hoarse as

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

to her from the corner

he seemed less cold and

handsome.

his breathing became deep and steady. “Is he asleep?’ she

She could feel his warm breath and his hair tickling her skin. She push

motives, Stephanie kept her eyes wide

the morning, she finally gave in, her eyelids

uncomfortable

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

just days away. The heater hummed, but the

body instinctively curling up

felt her move closer

been asleep. His eyes, bright as stars, fixed intently on the face

caressed her face as

and just stared at her face all night long, until

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

rang out right by

Stephanie’s eyes

the morning light spilling through the window.