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, and went straight into the

watched as he shut the bathroom door and let

after, the bathroom filled with the sound of running

that

Stephanie tensed up..

about

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

just lying there, especially now that she was

the headboard, her eyes anxiously fixed on the

minutes later, Dominick stepped out

loosely tied, water droplets clinging to his sculpted

for me?” he asked, raising his

intense gaze, knowing she had given

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

awkwardly, and then hurriedly spoke up. “Are you,

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

they were truly married, but

kept her head down, hardly

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

as she shuffled

settled next to her and dimmed the lamp. He watched her shuffling toward the edge of the bed as if he were a dangerous

“Stephanie, if you dare

of bed and hurt our baby..” he warned,

arm naturally wrapped

waist.

Stephanie couldn’t sleep!

their skin lightly touching, the contact making her heart flutter and

from him.

he was holding her,

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Chapter 22

aren’t you sleeping yet, Stephanie? You want to do

early and hadn’t slept in

to her ear.

Stephanie’s cheeks flushed.

to her from

the lamp, he seemed less cold and domineering

handsome.

breathing became deep and

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

her eyes wide open, staying

the morning, she finally gave in, her eyelids too heavy to

was uncomfortable and wanted

over the spacious bedroom, streaming through the floor–to–ceiling windows. The curtains swayed softly in the breeze with a gap left open

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

her body instinctively curling up and moving closer to the warm body beside

closer and suddenly opened his

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

gently caressed her face as he

and just stared at her

and vivid. It felt like a wild beast had been watching her intensely,

An annoyed voice suddenly rang out right by her

Stephanie’s eyes

light spilling through the