Crossroads

Chapter 34

The rain had stopped.

After Stephanie finished eating the bread prepared by Ryan and Kelly, she thanked the hospitable couple, wanting to head back.

Because it was about Christmas, everyone wanted to be home with their families.

Stephanie stole a glance at Dominick. Originally, they planned to return to Havencrest the day before to spend Christmas with George, Stephanie didn’t expect this situation, thinking they needed to hurry back since George could be angry.

Just as Stephanie was about to leave with them, Ryan stopped her. “I think you better stay here with us.

“Last night’s heavy rain caused mudslides that buried many fields and cottages, and the surroundings have become ruins. The mountain roads are impassable now…”

Vincent, unusually serious, added, “Stephanie should stay here. The mountains could collapse at any moment, and the flood hasn’t completely receded yet. We’ll send someone to pick her up once we’re back…” After all, Stephanie was pregnant and shouldn’t wear herself out.

After a moment of silence, everyone finally turned to look at Dominick.

Dominick glanced at Stephanie, then suddenly strode to her. He took her hand and walked straight to the door without saying much.

“She’s staying with me,” Dominick said simply.

Vincent and the others exchanged glances, looking at Dominick’s cold profile, knowing his decision wouldn’t change.

“We’re leaving now. We really appreciated you taking us in last night.”

Vincent and the others said, and bid farewell to Ryan and Kelly before following their pace.

“Dominick, I think it would be better for Stephanie to stay one more night,” Vincent suggested.

As they walked on the rugged and muddy mountain road, they had to be cautious and pay attention to the surroundings.

Dominick tightened his grip on her wrist and seemed not to heed Vincent’s words, vigilantly surveying their surroundings as they moved forward step by step.

“She’s staying with me,” he repeated.

Dominick’s intense gaze fell on Stephanie’s face… He felt reassured with her by his side.

Stephanie didn’t know what he was thinking, Her wrist was starting to ache from his tight grip. She looked up at him. “I…I can actually walk by myself…”

“Stephanie, don’t even think about it!” Dominick’s voice was firm, immediately rejecting her suggestion.

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Stephanie looked frustrated. She didn’t understand why he was being so stern. She hadn’t even finished her words yet.

After about half an hour of walking, they encountered a shallow river about ten feet wide. This river didn’t exist before. It must have been formed by last night’s heavy rain, with a large amount of muddy water rushing down from the mountain.

“It’s not deep, only about 12 inches. We can cross…” Someone had already stepped into the water and crossed to the other side.

Stephanie watched as everyone crossed the shallow river in an orderly manner, preparing to follow suit.

But suddenly, Dominick turned around, and swiftly picked her up. She exclaimed, “Ah, what are you doing?”

Dominick, annoyed, reminded her, “You

turned slightly red. Stephanie almost forgot about her injuries, which could get infected if

feet one inch tall and had been practicing combat sports since childhood, so he was very

her tightly, and every step he took was steady, as if

seemed like he approached everything with a serious attitude. She looked at him from the side and thought this serious

are you

and noticed

she had done something wrong, Stephanie immediately turned her

eyes widened, looking extremely nervous. Her hands reached directly toward

waist…

“Stephanie, what are you…”

even halting his steps,

belt.

Dominick’s surprised tone, Vincent and the others quickly

don’t be

was becoming bolder and more audacious, especially unfastening Dominick’s belt in

seemed stunned by her sudden initiative, not daring to stop

belt and, without hesitation, fiercely whipped it towards a

21

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and the others saw it clearly, they noticed several venomous snakes in the

just struck was about 3 feet long. It was hit in a vital spot by the

“Put me down!”

already. Stephanie broke free from his embrace and hurriedly ran to the unconscious snake, picked up a large

completely lifeless, she stood there proudly, hands

were all dumbfounded.

usually feared snakes, especially venomous ones, but

to burst into laughter. “Stephanie, you eagerly unfastened Dominick’s belt and bravely protected him. Your truly are a

snake was about

and shouted at them,

all of us… Dominick, marry someone who’s

embarrassed

care of herself, feeling like she shouldn’t pretend to be weak. She had always

her head, bringing her back to

his gaze with a smile, the

on you to protect me from now on,” Dominick joked,

and he took her hand, continuing

the desolate state of the village due to the pouring rain,

chatter.

was in a good mood, Stephanie plucked up the courage to get closer

in the future?” She túgged on

and he looked down

He smiled faintly, “Sure.”

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tightly gripping his

phones finally

Everyone looked excited because having a signal meant they could contact someone to pick them up, and they wouldn’t have to walk on the mountain

answered a call. “Dominick, and

they were trapped in the deserted village and urgently interrupted, “I know. I’m on my way to pick you

to Dominick. I have something urgent to