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

Jessica was flaunting her closeness with Dominick in the private room earlier, and Kevin’s sudden appearance somewhat saved Stephanie

composed herself

Caelorium was solely to see her grandmother in the e hospital. She

feel uneasy.

admitted, the elderly woman greeted her with delight. “Steffi,

excitement, Stephanie remained composed.

could say anything else, Samantha eagerly scanned

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

Stephanie yearned to retort, but she

at 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

with my mother. Courtney fell on her own!”

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

miscarriage, her health problems left her unable to conceive again, which made Samantha resent Madison even more, blaming

urgent matters to attend to in Havencrest. If you need anything, just call for the nurse,” Stephanie did not want to stay a minute

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

a divorce once. Do you want

Stephanie clenched her

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

23 2

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 are some truths you may find hard to accept. Men prefer women

emulate Courtney and Claire, Stephanie suppressed

bed. “Grandma, if there’s nothing else, I’ll

Stephanie strode

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Chapter 52

aware of Stephanie’s stubbornness, shouted orders as her

of the child in your belly! Don’t let other women take

situation…

slammed the door of the ward shut, and finally, Samantha’s voice gradually

to visit her. Sometime I hate how

hospital wall, Stephanie closed her eyes and tried to

from the Wellington family always wore a

Villa.

saw her as a tool for them. Wellington family was just a temporary refuge

wanted to return to

know

to find a missed call and a

Stephanie intended to

was a call from

message was

is in Caetorium.” Stephanie felt a strange stirring in her heart upon learning that

hesitated for a moment before lightly touching

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