Crossroads

Chapter 133

She couldn’t recall how she had managed to leave. Everything felt like a blur,

Upon returning to Wellington Villa, the household staff were taken aback by their mud–splattered appearance, unsure of how to react. The butler stood nearby, his voice attempting to maintain calmness as he announced, “Dinner is ready.”

The once warm meal had long since gone cold.

Dominick said nothing more, his face dark as if he couldn’t bear to look at her again. Immediately upon their return, he turned sharply and

retreated to his bedroom.

“Mrs. Wellington, perhaps you should have some hot soup first…”

Sandra, observing Stephanie’s stunned and frightened demeanor, disregarded any thoughts of cleaning her up. Instead, she promptly instructed a maid to bring a steaming bowl of soup to help soothe her nerves.

Stephanie followed Sandra to the dining area, where she mechanically sat down and sipped half a bowl of the hot soup, which tasted bland

to her.

Finally, Sandra escorted her back to the bedroom, whispering softly as they walked, “Mrs. Wellington, Mr. Wellington has always been reserved since childhood. There are matters he prefers not to discuss. Please, avoid upsetting him. Focus on your duties here at Wellington

Villa and steer clear of his personal affairs.”

Dominick’s affairs were beyond her influence, no matter how much she desired to intervene.

Stephanie remained silent, her face still drained of color, as she ascended the familiar staircase leading to their bedroom,

Upon pushing open the door, a faint smell of tobacco lingered in the room.

Stephanie hesitated at the threshold, reluctant to step inside. In the room, Dominick’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He quickly extinguished the cigarette in his left hand out of habit.

Their gazes met, both faces etched with a tangle of emotions.

“Mrs. Wellington, please remember not to provoke him.” Sandra cautioned from the doorway, her voice barely a whisper. She feared Stephanie might inadvertently provoke Dominick once more.

With a gentle push from Sandra, Stephanie tentatively crossed the threshold and the door closed behind her.

In the spacious room, now occupied solely by him and her, an unspoken tension hung heavily in the air, casting a palpable sense of unease

and unfamiliarity.

the door with her

intensity as he scrutinized her with a mixture of concern and

tolerate the charged atmosphere any longer, or perhaps infuriated by some unseen thought, his brow furrowed deeper. He suppressed the

feeling the heavy thud of his steps drawing closer. Startled, she lifted her head, her expression betraying a mix

fear she couldn’t

Chapter 133

advanced towards her, his eyes avoiding hers as he passed by, reaching for

his presence, the spacious balcony seemed to shrink,

“Dominick…”

slightly, causing a

voice wavered, the words

was low, a mixture of exasperation and something she couldn’t quite

he noticed a glistening trail where a tear threatened to fall, a testament to the

voice.

memories flooding back, each word heavy with unresolved

I could smell the iron of blood. It was so dark. I couldn’t see anything. I called out

answer. I called for

her eyes, each one a testament to the weight of her unspoken

just want to understand you. I don’t want to be shielded from you. I

something

clung tightly to him, her arms wrapped around

continued to speak through her tears, “I’m so scared that I won’t

replaced by a complex blend of emotions as he processed her words

vulnerability.

hadn’t expected her to say these things, nor

filled with guilt, spoken in a

to cry more these

at her tear–streaked face with a mix of helplessness and an odd warmth,

!! She had been

It’s my babies affecting me,” she said with a sniffle, her

her tears.

but find this both amusing

confession left Dominick momentarily at a loss for

our sons will surely be a crybaby after they’re

too much in the future, they won’t be able to find wives. So, don’t cry… It took him considerable effort

Chapter 133

her. After all, this iceberg