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

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

much, Stephanie composed herself and

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

feel uneasy.

entered the hospital ward where Samantha was admitted, the elderly woman greeted her with delight.

contrast to her grandmother’s excitement, Stephanie

Before she could say anything else, Samantha eagerly

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

in place, Stephanie yearned to retort, but

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

mother. Courtney fell on

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

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

the nurse,” Stephanie did not

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

a divorce once. Do you want to be abandoned by a man for the second time? Our family can’t afford to be embarrassed

outside the ward, Stephanie clenched her bag tightly and suppressed her

harbored no fondness for her; Stephanie’s disposition lacked the gentle charm that Claire effortlessly exuded. She was too headstrong, too spirited from her youth, unlike the demure socialites the old lady favored. Apart from her appearance, Stephanie offered nothing to appease the old woman’s

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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

emulate Courtney and Claire, Stephanie suppressed a scornful

there’s nothing else, I’ll hasten back to Havencrest to learn

words, Stephanie strode out

10:36

Chapter 52

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

his business, and make good use of the child in your belly! Don’t let other

situation…

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

shouldn’t have come to visit her.

wall, Stephanie closed her eyes and tried to compose herself. “I

man from the Wellington family always wore a stern expression, Stephanie found herself longing to return

Villa.

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

to return to Wellington

know

missed call and a text message

her bag. Stephanie intended to book the fastest return ticket,

a call

message

Stephanie felt a strange stirring in

gaze lingered on the screen, and she hesitated for a moment before lightly touching the callback button, her heart fluttering with

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