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?”

her voice laden with gravity, oblivious to his puzzled

me

continue, remaining silent for a long while as she tried to ease her emotions, managing only

wouldn’t believe it if you 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

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

side, her face reflecting deep thought. Suddenly, she clasped his

him.

“I heard gunshots.

you who saved

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

woman nestled beside

you tell

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

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

and a dull ache pulsed through his brain, and he avoided dredging up

the tranquil night, time seemed

Yet, her determination persisted.

responded

scenes resurfaced vividly. “Stephanie, I’m angry that you accepted Kevin’s pursuit

anger, in truth, was only partially known to her and the other part,

long could he hate her

hatred

responsible for every misstep, convinced

I’ve waited for six years for you

vain; eventually, he realized it

she didn’t recognize him for who he

observed his conflicted expression, struggling to comprehend his demands for contrition and

that day? Faced with armed bandits,

her as she recalled the sounds of struggle, gunfire, and

blood. She knew

to do something for him,

Chapter 134

haunted by the possibility that her actions could

arm, she whispered, “I’ve been seeking

expect from

tinged with a hint of

I.. I’m here to repay

you did. He claimed he