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

her closeness with Dominick in the private room earlier, and Kevin’s sudden appearance somewhat

on it too much, Stephanie composed herself

in the e hospital. She

feel uneasy.

where Samantha was admitted, the

Stephanie remained composed. “Grandma, how

could say anything else, Samantha eagerly

expression turned reproachful. “Steffi, don’t always wear that stern look and make Mr. Wellington

to retort, but she held

past grievances. “It’s all because your mother was too petty. She pushed Courtney downstairs, causing her to suffer a miscarriage. My

on her own!” Stephanie bit her lip, unable to contain

father’s 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 and scornful temperament

unable to conceive again, which made Samantha resent Madison even more, blaming

just call for the nurse,” Stephanie did not

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

you want to be abandoned by a man for the second time? Our family can’t afford to

her bag tightly and suppressed her

was too headstrong, too spirited from her youth, unlike the demure socialites the old lady

23 2

she thought it was great that Stephanie managed to marry someone from the prestigious Wellington family. With this realization, Samantha’s tone softened slightly. “Steffi, you’re my only granddaughter. I want nothing but for you to be happy. But there

should emulate Courtney and Claire, Stephanie

the elderly woman on the hospital bed. “Grandma, if there’s nothing else, I’ll

strode out without hesitation

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Chapter 52

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

and make good use of the child in your belly! Don’t let other women take advantage of

situation…

shut, and finally, Samantha’s voice gradually

bitterly, she muttered, “I shouldn’t have come to visit her. Sometime I hate how

closed her eyes and tried to compose herself. “I want

family always wore a stern expression,

Villa.

The Reed family didn’t care about her and only saw her as a tool for them. Wellington family was just a temporary refuge for her, but

wanted to return

know

find a missed call and a

intended to book the

a call from

message was short and

strange stirring in her heart upon learning that he was here

gaze lingered on the screen, and she hesitated for a moment before lightly

why he had come to