Crossroads

Chapter 52

The car exited the highway and headed towards the largest private hospital in Caelorium.

The man at the wheel kept glancing at the woman beside him, and finally said, “Steffi, Jessica looks so much like you. She…”

“She’s not related to me by blood!” Stephanie said blankly before quickly adding, “Please let me off at the front.”

The man parked the car on the side and turned to gaze at her profile, his tone suppressing complex emotions. “I’m just concerned about

you…

“Kevin! I told you I don’t need your concern!”

Stephanie eagerly opened the car door, wanting to get out.

“Stephanie, there’s no need to avoid me like this. I truly mean no harm to you. If I wanted to harm you, I would have done it in the past three

years.”

Kevin paused, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

Then, he spoke calmly. “I just want to say that the women in our circle may look innocent, but they’re not. Jessica’s resemblance to you is likely due to plastic surgery. You need to be careful.”

Stephanie was somewhat surprised because Kevin did sound genuinely concerned.

She opened the car door and stepped out, lowering her gaze to meet the man inside the car. She spoke slowly and deliberately. “Kevin, you’re here this time in Caelorium for your marriage with Claire, right? Frankly, I’m not so generous to be able to forgive you, so I won’t give you my blessings! But I won’t stand in your way either. Remember, we’re done.”

She separated her feelings clearly. When she loved someone, she would give it her all, and she did not care for the concerns that came too

late.

Meanwhile, he sat in the car, glaring fiercely at Stephanie who was walking away.

“Stephanie!”

For some reason, he couldn’t control himself and shouted loudly at her retreating figure, “Stephanie, I care about you not because you’re from the Reed family! I just…”

It was because…

Kevin watched her disappear around the corner. Even he couldn’t answer the question himself as to why he cared about her.

As he had pledged to George that he would marry Claire, he and Claire went to the city hall to sign the papers and obtain their marriage license the next day. All the wedding preparations went on smoothly in the last few days, yet a sense of inexplicable melancholy and reluctance lingered in his heart.

Kevin, consumed by frustration, unleashed his anger on the steering wheel, causing the car horn piercing through the air like a sharp cry.

In the midst of his tumultuous emotions, a blend of restlessness and confusion enveloped him, as if certain truths were veiled from him, and he had been deceived and manipulated all along

Meanwhile, at the bend in the road, Stephanie took a deep breath. Furrowing her brows, she muttered in annoyance, “What’s gotten into him7

10:36

Chapter 52

private room earlier, and Kevin’s sudden appearance somewhat

Stephanie composed herself and headed

in the e hospital. She planned to return to Havencrest soon as this place made

feel uneasy.

entered the hospital ward where Samantha was admitted, the elderly woman greeted her with delight. “Steffi, you’re

contrast to her grandmother’s excitement, Stephanie remained composed. “Grandma, how are

anything else, Samantha eagerly scanned the area

Stephanie, Samantha’s expression turned reproachful. “Steffi, don’t always wear that stern look and make Mr. Wellington feel uncomfortable.

yearned to retort, but she held

petty. She pushed Courtney

with my mother. Courtney fell on her

child. Why would she be so careless and fall on her own?” Seeing that Stephanie dared to argue with her, Samantha’s face darkened, her sharp

her unable to conceive again, which made

just call for the nurse,” Stephanie did not want to stay a minute longer if Samantha was

I haven’t finished speaking!” Samantha was displeased that Stephanie

in the future? You’ve been through a divorce once. Do you want to be abandoned by a man for the second time? Our family can’t afford to

the ward, Stephanie clenched her

was too headstrong, too spirited from her youth, unlike the demure

23

With this realization, Samantha’s tone softened slightly. “Steffi, you’re my only granddaughter. I want nothing but for you to be

that she should emulate Courtney and

woman on the hospital bed. “Grandma, if there’s nothing

these words, Stephanie strode out

10:36

Chapter 52

I haven’t finished!” Samantha, aware of Stephanie’s stubbornness, shouted orders as her

his business, and make good use of the child in your

situation…

the ward shut, and finally, Samantha’s voice

shouldn’t have come to visit her. Sometime I hate how

her eyes

family always wore a stern expression, Stephanie found herself longing

Villa.

her and only saw her as

she wanted to return to Wellington

also know that

find a missed call and a

her bag. Stephanie intended to book the fastest

a call from

Caelorium.] His message

felt a strange stirring in her heart

screen, and she hesitated for a moment before lightly touching the callback button,

him why he had come