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.

Stephanie stood near the door with

a mixture of concern

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

his steps drawing closer. Startled, she lifted her head, her expression betraying

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

Chapter 133

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

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

“Dominick…”

slightly, causing

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

you…” His voice was low, a mixture of exasperation and something she couldn’t

her cheek, he noticed a glistening trail where

voice.

memories flooding back,

Your touch was so cold, and I could smell the iron of blood.

I called for

welled up in her eyes, each one a testament to the weight of her unspoken fears, cascading down

just want to understand

of something happening to

him, her arms wrapped around his waist,

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

stiffly, his initial surprise replaced by a complex blend of emotions as he processed her words

vulnerability.

what to say. He hadn’t expected her to say these things, nor had he ever

and filled with guilt, spoken in

you seem to

looking down at her tear–streaked face

!! She had been

babies affecting me,” she said with

her tears.

couldn’t help but find this both amusing and

Dominick momentarily at a loss

surely be a

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

Chapter 133

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