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.

Chapter 34

66%

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, “You have

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

tall and had been practicing combat sports since childhood, so he was very strong. Carrying her across this shallow river was

held her tightly, and every step he took

looked at him from the side

are you

noticed she seemed distracted, casually

she had done something wrong, Stephanie immediately turned her

she turned, Stephanie’s eyes widened, looking extremely

waist…

“Stephanie, what are you…”

even halting his steps, incredulously watching Stephanie in his arms eagerly undoing

belt.

the

be so

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

by her sudden initiative,

expressions, Stephanie pulled out Dominick’s belt and, without hesitation, fiercely whipped

21

Chapter 34

66%

saw it clearly, they noticed several venomous snakes in

was about 3 feet long. It was hit in a vital spot by the belt and fell

“Put me down!”

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

snake completely lifeless, she stood there

Stephanie were all dumbfounded. Even Dominick couldn’t help but raise an

usually feared snakes, especially

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

snake was about to lunge

Stephanie became somewhat angry and shouted at them, “Vincent, say another

tougher than all of us… Dominick, marry someone who’s cute and charming.

embarrassed

pretend to be weak. She had always been alone, with no one to rely on, so

rubbed her head, bringing her back to

unexpectedly met his gaze with a smile, the first time she truly saw Dominick smiling like

I’ll rely on you to protect me from now on,” Dominick joked,

he took her hand,

pouring

chatter.

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

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

down at her bright eyes, which

He smiled faintly, “Sure.”

Chapter 34

零65%斷

agreement, Stephanie became even more excited, tightly gripping his arm. “If it’s

finally have

signal meant they could contact someone to pick them up, and

ahead quickly answered a call. “Dominick, and others, we are

were trapped in the deserted village and urgently interrupted,

I have something urgent to