Crossroads

Chapter 134

Sleep evaded her.

Stephanie tossed and turned in her bed, her movements restless, as if burdened by unspoken thoughts that kept her from drifting into

slumber.

“Stephanie.”

On the other side of the bed, Dominick noticed her agitation, finally unable to resist calling her name in a deep, subdued tone.

Immediately, Stephanie settled down.

Yet, within moments, she shifted again.

“Dominick, are you having trouble sleeping?” Her voice was clear and unwavering, betraying her own alertness despite the late hour.

The faint light from the bedside lamp cast a soft glow on Stephanie’s profile. She harbored a genuine fear of the dark.

“Dominick, can I ask you something?”

With evident inner conflict, Stephanie edged closer to Dominick, her tone betraying a hint of urgency as she posed another question.

He remained silent, his gaze fixed on her, prompting her to hesitate in her subsequent words.

“That year, during our high school graduation trip… You were our assistant teacher. Did you… Did you attend that trip?”

She asked cautiously, as if wary of touching upon sensitive matters.

“No,” Dominick replied bluntly.

Stephanie furrowed her brow suddenly, visibly perplexed. “But that’s impossible. Kevin said…”

“What did he say?”

you…” Her eyes searched Dominick’s face intently, a mixture of doubt and suspicion coloring her voice. “It couldn’t have been yo

Meanwhile, Dominick lowered his eyes subtly, offering no further explanation.

“Have you heard anything about the incidents during the trip that year?”

voice laden with

about it, and that’s understandable. The only time my father ever helped me was likely due to that scandal, though it

silent for a long while as she tried to ease her emotions, managing only a forced

I was unfortunate enough to get separated from my classmates on the mountainside. Suddenly, five or six bandits from a mountain village attacked me.

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

side, her face reflecting deep thought. Suddenly, she

him.

“I heard gunshots.

was it you who

against his arm before she added insistently,

nestled beside

you

“Dominick, why didn’t you tell me that

PM. On any other day, he would have likely still been in his study, but tonight he

through his brain, and he avoided dredging up memories of the

tranquil night, time seemed suspended for a

Yet, her determination persisted.

I’m angry,” Dominick responded in

time she recalled the events of that year, those scenes resurfaced vividly. “Stephanie, I’m angry that

her and the other part, bluntly put, was his hatred

could he

hatred weighed heavily

consumed him completely, holding Stephanie responsible for every misstep, convinced

I’ve waited for six years for you to acknowledge your mistake and seek

he realized it was

beginning, she didn’t recognize

his demands for contrition and reconciliation, but acknowledging his justified

Faced with armed bandits, how did

clouded; fear gripped her as she recalled the sounds of struggle, gunfire, and cries of pain echoing in the darkening

accompanied by the acrid scent of blood. She knew the man who had come to her rescue had been

for him, but fear

Chapter 134

haunted by the possibility that her actions could

whispered, “I’ve

you expect from me? A token

tinged with

I’m here to repay you.” She

credit for what you did. He claimed he saved me,