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?”

her squirming, Dominick, annoyed, reminded her, “You have

turned slightly red. Stephanie almost forgot about her injuries, which

sports since childhood, so he was very strong. Carrying her across this shallow river was

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

attitude. She looked at him from the side and thought

you

noticed she seemed distracted, casually

she had done something wrong, Stephanie immediately turned her head

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

waist…

“Stephanie, what are you…”

stunned, even halting his steps, incredulously watching Stephanie in his arms

belt.

tone, Vincent and the others quickly turned around,

be

bolder and more audacious, especially unfastening Dominick’s

stunned by her sudden initiative, not daring to

pulled out Dominick’s belt and, without hesitation, fiercely whipped it towards a nearby tree on

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clearly, they noticed several venomous snakes in

snake Stephanie had just struck was about 3 feet long. It was hit in a vital spot by

“Put me down!”

from his embrace and hurriedly ran

completely lifeless, she stood there proudly, hands

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

usually feared snakes, especially venomous ones, but

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

now, that snake was about

somewhat angry and shouted at them, “Vincent,

than all of us… Dominick,

embarrassed

herself, feeling like she shouldn’t pretend to be weak. She had always been alone, with no one

rubbed her head, bringing her back to

met his gaze with a smile, the first time she

me from now on,” Dominick joked, seeming to

he took her hand, continuing to move

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

chatter.

was in a good mood, Stephanie

our children in the future?” She túgged on his arm, looking

words “our children,” and he looked down at her bright eyes, which

He smiled faintly, “Sure.”

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more excited, tightly gripping his arm.

phones finally have

because having a signal meant they could contact someone to pick them up, and they wouldn’t have to

call. “Dominick, and others, we are

Scott seemed to already know they were trapped in the

something