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 her head bowed slightly, unsure of what would

held a complex intensity as he scrutinized her with a mixture of concern

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

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

fear she couldn’t name but hung palpably in the

Chapter 133

reaching for the door handle with deliberate movements, each. step

seemed to shrink, enveloping her

“Dominick…”

on his coat, pulling him back slightly, causing a fleeting flash

voice wavered, the

a mixture of exasperation and

at her cheek, he noticed a glistening trail where a tear threatened to fall, a testament to the emotions she

voice.

flooding back, each word heavy

smell the iron of

didn’t answer. I

to the weight of her unspoken fears, cascading down

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

of something happening

arms wrapped around his

her head to rest against his chest, she continued to speak through her tears, “I’m so scared that I won’t know if something happens to you, and that I won’t be able to

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

vulnerability.

these things, nor

were muffled and filled with guilt,

to cry more these

didn’t know what to say, looking down at her tear–streaked face with a mix of helplessness and an

!! She had been

love to cry, it’s just…I’m pregnant. It’s my babies affecting me,”

her tears.

but find

confession left Dominick momentarily at a loss

surely be

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

Chapter 133

him comforting her. After all, this iceberg of a