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?”

annoyed, reminded her, “You

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

combat sports since childhood, so he was

Stephanie noticed that Dominick held her tightly, and every step he took was steady, as if he were

everything with a serious attitude. She looked at him from the side and thought

are you

down and noticed she seemed distracted,

something wrong, Stephanie immediately turned

just as she turned, Stephanie’s eyes widened, looking extremely nervous. Her hands reached directly toward

waist…

“Stephanie, what are you…”

was stunned, even halting his steps, incredulously watching Stephanie

belt.

the others quickly turned

don’t be

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

sudden initiative, not

their surprised expressions, Stephanie pulled out Dominick’s belt and, without hesitation, fiercely whipped it towards a nearby tree

21 Jun

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noticed several venomous

had just struck was about 3 feet long. It was hit in a vital spot by the belt and fell to the ground

“Put me down!”

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

completely lifeless, she stood there proudly, hands on hips.

the men behind Stephanie were all dumbfounded. Even Dominick couldn’t help

usually feared snakes, especially venomous ones, but

the first to burst into laughter. “Stephanie, you eagerly unfastened Dominick’s belt and bravely protected

now, that snake was about to lunge at

angry and shouted at them, “Vincent,

she’s tougher than all of us… Dominick, marry someone who’s cute and charming. Stephanie, don’t be too violent, or Dominick

felt embarrassed by their

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

rubbed her head, bringing her

with a smile, the first time she

protect me from now on,” Dominick joked, seeming to be in a

and he took her hand, continuing

the village due to the pouring rain,

chatter.

you something?” Seeing he was in a good mood, Stephanie plucked

in the future?” She túgged

he looked down at her bright

He smiled faintly, “Sure.”

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agreement, Stephanie became even more excited, tightly gripping his arm. “If it’s a boy, I’d like

finally

having a signal meant they could contact someone to

call. “Dominick, and others, we are

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

have something urgent to tell him,” Scott’s voice sounded very