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.

stood near the door with her head bowed slightly, unsure of what would come

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

unseen thought, his brow furrowed deeper. He suppressed the turmoil within his chest with

approach before she saw him, feeling the heavy thud of his steps drawing closer.

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

Chapter 133

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

spacious balcony seemed to shrink,

“Dominick…”

him back slightly, causing a fleeting flash of surprise

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

mixture of exasperation and something she couldn’t

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

voice.

flooding back, each word heavy

and I could smell the iron of blood. It was so dark. I couldn’t see anything. I called out

answer. I

her eyes, each one a testament to the weight of her

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

of something

clung tightly to him, her arms wrapped around his waist,

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

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

vulnerability.

say these things, nor had he ever imagined she would

muffled and filled with guilt, spoken

seem to cry more these

at her tear–streaked face with a mix

!! She had been

babies affecting me,” she said with a sniffle, her

her tears.

help but find this both

confession left Dominick momentarily at a loss

our sons will surely be a crybaby

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

Chapter 133

her. After all, this