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?”

her voice laden

me was likely due

pressed her lips lightly, reluctant to continue, remaining silent for a long while as she tried to ease her emotions, managing only

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

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

on her side, her face reflecting deep thought. Suddenly, she clasped his arm with both hands and

him.

“I heard gunshots.

was it you who saved

resting against his arm

woman nestled beside him, his

didn’t you tell

“Dominick, why didn’t

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

a dull ache pulsed through his brain, and he avoided dredging up

time seemed suspended for

Yet, her determination persisted.

Dominick responded in a

of that year, those scenes resurfaced vividly. “Stephanie, I’m angry that you

only partially known to her and the

he hate her

burden of hatred weighed

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

you to acknowledge

was in vain; eventually, he realized it

she didn’t recognize

demands

that day? Faced with

as she recalled the sounds of struggle, gunfire,

scent of blood. She knew

for

Chapter 134

haunted by the possibility that her actions could

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

expect from me? A

was calm, tinged with a hint

to repay you.” She blushed

you did. He claimed he saved me,