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?”

events, her voice laden with gravity, oblivious to his puzzled

only time my father ever helped me was likely due to that scandal, though it was also

for a long while as she tried to ease

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

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

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

him.

“I heard gunshots.

was it you who saved me

words paused, her cheek resting against his arm before she added insistently,

to the woman nestled beside him, his

you tell

“Dominick, why

wasn’t particularly late at 11 PM. On any other day, he would have likely still been in his study, but tonight he felt

was exhausted, and a dull ache pulsed through his brain, and

tranquil night, time seemed suspended for

Yet, her determination persisted.

Dominick responded

the events of that year, those scenes resurfaced vividly. “Stephanie, I’m angry that you accepted Kevin’s pursuit without reason, I’m angry

partially known to her and the

he hate her

hatred weighed

convinced

years for you

he realized

didn’t recognize him for who

comprehend his demands for contrition and reconciliation,

were you injured that day? Faced with

were clouded; fear gripped her as she recalled the sounds of struggle, gunfire, and cries

She knew the man who had come to her rescue

to do something for him,

Chapter 134

worst, haunted by the possibility that her actions

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

from me? A

voice was calm, tinged

to repay you.” She

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