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,

heard about it, and that’s understandable. The only time my father ever helped me was likely

reluctant to continue, remaining silent for a long while

I was unfortunate enough to get separated from my classmates on the mountainside. Suddenly, five

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

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

him.

“I heard gunshots.

it you who saved

against his arm

to the woman nestled beside

didn’t you tell

meeting his gaze directly. “Dominick, why didn’t

at 11 PM. On any other day, he would have likely still been in his study, but tonight he

pulsed through his brain, and he avoided dredging

night, time seemed

Yet, her determination persisted.

I’m angry,” Dominick responded in a deep

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

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

could he hate her

burden of hatred

convinced she owed him, demanding her repayment for a lifetime, no matter

for you to acknowledge your mistake and seek

vain; eventually, he realized it was

beginning, she didn’t recognize

comprehend his demands for contrition and reconciliation,

that day? Faced with armed bandits, how

gripped her as she recalled the sounds of

knew the man who had come

do something for

Chapter 134

that

whispered, “I’ve

expect from me? A token

calm, tinged

I.. I’m here to repay you.” She blushed

credit for what you did.