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.

into silence. Stephanie stood near the door with her

gaze held a complex intensity as he scrutinized her with a mixture of concern and frustration,

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

him, feeling the heavy thud of his steps drawing

if she dreaded something, a fear she couldn’t

Chapter 133

her, his eyes avoiding hers as he passed by, reaching for the door handle with deliberate movements, each. step resonating with

to shrink, enveloping her

“Dominick…”

back slightly, causing a fleeting

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

was low, a mixture of exasperation

at her cheek, he noticed a glistening trail where a tear threatened to fall,

voice.

accident…” Stephanie’s voice faltered, memories flooding back, each word heavy with unresolved

shielded me… Your touch was so cold, and I could smell the iron of blood. It was so dark. I couldn’t see

I called

each one a testament to the weight of her

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

of something happening to

arms wrapped around his waist, seeking solace in his

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

complex blend of emotions

vulnerability.

these things,

and filled with guilt, spoken in

you seem to cry more these

say, looking down at her tear–streaked face with

!! She had been

my babies affecting

her tears.

help but find this

left Dominick momentarily at a

sons will surely be a

our sons cry too much in the future, they won’t be able to find wives.

Chapter 133

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