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

the private room earlier,

Stephanie composed herself and headed towards the hospital

her grandmother in the e hospital. She planned

feel uneasy.

the hospital ward where Samantha was admitted, the elderly woman greeted

Stephanie remained

anything else, Samantha eagerly scanned the area behind

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

Stephanie yearned to retort, but she

couldn’t help but recall past grievances. “It’s all because your mother was too petty. She pushed

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

on her own?” Seeing that Stephanie dared to argue with her, Samantha’s

preferred boys to girls. After Courtney’s miscarriage, her health problems left her unable to conceive again, which made Samantha resent Madison

I have urgent matters to attend to in Havencrest. If you need anything, just call for the nurse,” Stephanie did not want to stay a minute longer if Samantha was going

speaking!” Samantha was displeased that Stephanie was

want to be abandoned by a man for the second time? Our family can’t afford to be embarrassed like that,” Samantha

Stephanie clenched her

too headstrong, too spirited from her

22 23 2

you’re my only granddaughter. I want nothing but for you to be happy. But there are some truths you may find

emulate Courtney and

woman on the hospital bed. “Grandma, if there’s nothing else, I’ll hasten back to Havencrest

words, Stephanie strode out

10:36

Chapter 52

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

and make good use of the child

situation…

the door of the ward shut, and finally,

shouldn’t have come to

on the hospital wall, Stephanie closed her eyes and tried to compose herself. “I want

family always wore a stern expression, Stephanie found herself longing to return to

Villa.

saw her as a tool for them.

to return to Wellington

also know that

call and a

her bag. Stephanie intended

was a

His message was

strange stirring in her heart upon learning that he was

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

ask him why he had come to Caelorium. Was