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

the man’s gaze held a complex intensity as he scrutinized her with a mixture of concern and frustration, observing every nuance of her anxious

to tolerate the charged atmosphere any longer, or perhaps infuriated by some unseen thought, his

steps drawing closer. Startled,

if she dreaded something, a fear she couldn’t

Chapter 133

avoiding hers as he passed by, reaching for the door handle with

balcony seemed to shrink, enveloping her in a

“Dominick…”

his coat, pulling him back slightly, causing a

I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m just…scared.” Her voice wavered, the words barely

you…” His voice was low, a mixture of exasperation

a glistening trail where a tear threatened to fall, a testament to the emotions

voice.

memories flooding back, each

shielded me… Your touch was so cold, and I could smell the iron of blood. It was

didn’t answer. I called for

each one a testament to the weight of her unspoken

so much from me. I just want to understand

something happening

him, her arms wrapped around his waist,

“I’m so scared that I won’t know if something happens

of emotions

vulnerability.

these things, nor had he ever imagined she would embrace him

were muffled and filled with guilt, spoken in a

to cry more these

at her tear–streaked face

!! She had been

It’s my babies affecting me,”

her tears.

find this both amusing and

Dominick momentarily at a

our sons will surely be

and whispered softly in her ear, “if our sons cry too much in the future, they won’t be able to find

Chapter 133

sure if this counted as him comforting her. After all, this iceberg of a man was not