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

father ever helped me was likely due to that scandal, though it was also to protect the Reed family’s

to continue, remaining silent for a long while as she tried

enough to get separated from my classmates on the mountainside. Suddenly, five or six bandits

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

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

him.

“I heard gunshots.

you who saved me that

cheek resting against his arm before she added

nestled beside him, his thoughts

you tell

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

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

a dull ache pulsed through his brain, and he

tranquil night, time seemed suspended

Yet, her determination persisted.

responded

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

and the

he hate

hatred weighed heavily

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

years for you to acknowledge your

eventually, he realized it was all

beginning, she didn’t recognize him for who he

demands

you injured that day? Faced

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

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

something for him, but fear paralyzed

Chapter 134

the possibility that her

she whispered, “I’ve been seeking answers, trying to

you expect from me?

voice was calm, tinged with a hint

I’m here to repay you.” She

you did. He claimed he saved me,