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,

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

continue, remaining silent for a long while as

my classmates on the mountainside. Suddenly, five or six

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

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

him.

“I heard gunshots.

was it you who saved me

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

his gaze to the woman nestled beside him, his thoughts mingling but

you

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

any other day, he would have likely still been in his study, but tonight

ache pulsed through his brain, and he

tranquil night, time seemed suspended

Yet, her determination persisted.

responded in

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

to her and

long could he

of hatred weighed

every misstep, convinced she owed

waited for six years for you to acknowledge your mistake

he realized it was

recognize him for who he truly

his demands

injured that day? Faced with armed bandits, how did

memories were clouded; fear gripped her as she recalled 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

something for him, but fear paralyzed

Chapter 134

possibility that

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

expect from me?

calm, tinged with a hint of

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

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