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

room earlier, and Kevin’s sudden appearance somewhat saved Stephanie

it too much, Stephanie composed herself and headed towards the

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

feel uneasy.

Samantha was admitted,

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

she could say anything else,

seeing no one else with Stephanie, Samantha’s expression turned reproachful. “Steffi, don’t always wear that stern look and make Mr. Wellington feel uncomfortable. Others are going to say that our family’s

place, Stephanie yearned to retort, but

her granddaughter, Samantha couldn’t help but recall past grievances. “It’s all because your mother was too petty. She pushed Courtney downstairs, causing her to suffer a miscarriage. My eldest grandson was

nothing to do with my mother. Courtney fell on her own!” Stephanie bit her lip, unable to contain her

careless and fall on her own?” Seeing that Stephanie dared to argue with her, Samantha’s face darkened, her sharp and scornful

girls. After Courtney’s miscarriage, her health problems left her unable to conceive again, which made Samantha resent Madison even more, blaming her for

to in Havencrest. If you need anything, just call for the nurse,” Stephanie did not want to stay a minute longer if Samantha

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

a divorce once. Do you want to be abandoned by a man for the

clenched her bag tightly and suppressed

no fondness for her; Stephanie’s disposition lacked the gentle charm that Claire effortlessly exuded. She was too headstrong, too spirited from

22 23 2

marry someone from the prestigious Wellington family. With this realization, Samantha’s tone softened slightly. “Steffi, you’re my only granddaughter. I want nothing

that she should emulate Courtney and

head, addressing the elderly woman on the hospital bed. “Grandma, if there’s nothing else, I’ll hasten back to Havencrest to learn how to please

uttering these words, Stephanie strode

10:36

Chapter 52

haven’t finished!” Samantha, aware of Stephanie’s stubbornness,

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

situation…

the ward shut, and finally, Samantha’s voice gradually faded into the

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

eyes and tried to

wore a stern expression, Stephanie found herself longing to

Villa.

had no family anymore. The Reed family didn’t care about her and only saw her as

wanted to

know

missed call and

her phone from her bag. Stephanie intended to book

was a

Caelorium.] His message

a strange stirring in her heart upon learning that he

before lightly touching the callback button, her heart fluttering with anticipation as she awaited

ask him why he had come to Caelorium. Was it for business or to