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?”

about certain events, her voice laden

it, and that’s understandable. The only time my father ever helped me was likely due to that scandal, though it was also to protect the Reed family’s

long while as she tried to ease her emotions,

if you hadn’t seen it yourself. It was at sunset that day when I was unfortunate enough to get separated from my classmates on the mountainside. Suddenly, five or six bandits from a mountain village attacked me. They dragged me down the hillside, pounced on me, and tore my clothes. I was terrified and fought

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

reflecting deep thought. Suddenly, she clasped his arm with both hands

him.

“I heard gunshots.

it you who saved

cheek resting against his arm before she added insistently, “I krlow you

the woman nestled

you

raised her head, meeting his gaze directly. “Dominick, why didn’t you tell me that you

other day, he would have likely still been in his study, but tonight he felt

dull ache pulsed through his

the tranquil night, time seemed suspended for

Yet, her determination persisted.

Dominick responded in a deep

resurfaced vividly. “Stephanie, I’m angry that you accepted

in truth, was only partially known to her and the other part, bluntly

could he

burden of hatred weighed

completely, holding Stephanie responsible for every misstep, convinced she owed him, demanding her

waited for six years for you

in vain; eventually, he realized it was all a mere

beginning, she didn’t recognize him for who

conflicted expression, struggling to comprehend his demands for contrition and reconciliation,

were you injured that day? Faced with armed bandits, how did you

recalled the sounds of struggle, gunfire, and cries of pain echoing

She knew

something for him, but

Chapter 134

the worst, haunted by the possibility that her actions

tightly to his arm, she whispered, “I’ve been

do you expect from me?

was calm, tinged

to repay you.” She blushed with

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