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.

stretched into silence. Stephanie stood near the door with her head bowed slightly,

he scrutinized her with a mixture of concern and frustration, observing every nuance of her anxious

any longer, or perhaps infuriated by some unseen thought, his brow furrowed deeper. He suppressed the turmoil within his chest with rigid control,

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

if she dreaded something, a fear she couldn’t name but hung palpably

Chapter 133

advanced towards her, his eyes avoiding hers as he passed by, reaching for the door handle with deliberate

his presence, the spacious balcony seemed to shrink, enveloping her in

“Dominick…”

pulling him back slightly, causing a fleeting flash of surprise across his

voice wavered, the words barely audible as

mixture of exasperation and

trail where a tear

voice.

faltered, memories flooding back,

so cold, and I could smell the iron of blood. It was so dark. I couldn’t see

I called

testament to the weight of her unspoken

keep so much from me. I just want to understand you. I don’t want to be shielded from you. I

of something

to him, her arms wrapped around his waist, seeking solace in his

that I won’t know if something happens to you, and that I won’t be able to

of emotions as he

vulnerability.

her to say these things, nor had he ever imagined she would embrace

words were muffled and filled with guilt, spoken in a humble

to cry more these

know what to say, looking down at her tear–streaked face with a mix of

!! She had been

babies affecting me,” she

her tears.

but find

left Dominick momentarily at

sons will surely be a crybaby after they’re

the future,

Chapter 133

him comforting her. After all, this iceberg of a man was not known for sweet