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?”

certain events, her voice laden with gravity,

probably haven’t heard about it, and that’s understandable. The only time my father ever helped me was likely due to

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

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

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

her face reflecting deep thought. Suddenly, she

him.

“I heard gunshots.

you who

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

lowered his gaze to the woman nestled beside him,

didn’t you

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

11 PM. On any other day, he would have likely still

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

tranquil night, time seemed suspended for

Yet, her determination persisted.

Dominick responded in a deep

vividly. “Stephanie, I’m angry that you accepted Kevin’s pursuit without reason, I’m angry that you

was only partially known to her and the other part, bluntly put, was his hatred

could he hate

burden of hatred weighed heavily

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

you to acknowledge your

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

the beginning, she didn’t recognize

his demands for contrition and

Faced with armed

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

descended gradually, accompanied 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

feared the worst, haunted by the possibility that her actions could

tightly to his arm, she whispered,

expect from me?

tinged

I’m here to repay you.” She blushed

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