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.

frowned, but he remained silent, took off his jacket, and went straight into the

watched as he shut the bathroom door

bathroom filled with the sound of running

that mean he’s staying

Stephanie tensed up..

thinking about what

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

that if she was just lying there, especially now that

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

ten minutes later, Dominick stepped out of the

water droplets clinging to his sculpted chest, and

me?” he asked,

his intense gaze, knowing she had given

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

awkwardly, and

kick me out?” Dominick stood by the bed,

were

redder, and she kept her head

flicker of

she shuffled to the other

He watched her shuffling toward the edge of the bed as

“Stephanie, if you dare

baby..”

as his arm naturally wrapped around

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

lightly touching, the contact making her

from him.

holding her,

25

Thu, 20 Jun

Chapter 22

yet, Stephanie?

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

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

man so close to her from the corner

lamp, he seemed less

handsome.

and steady. “Is he asleep?’ she

his warm breath and his hair tickling her skin. She push him away but was afraid of

her eyes wide open, staying alert

gave in, her eyelids too

uncomfortable and wanted

through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains swayed softly in

was just days away. The heater hummed, but the night air snuck

up and

move closer and suddenly

been asleep. His eyes, bright as stars, fixed

face as he recalled the past

stared at her face

It felt like a

rang

awake, Stephanie’s

morning light spilling