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, oblivious to his puzzled

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

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

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

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

her cheek resting against his arm before

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

didn’t you

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

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

through his brain, and he

seemed

Yet, her determination persisted.

responded in a

time she recalled the events of that year, those scenes resurfaced vividly. “Stephanie, I’m angry that you accepted Kevin’s

her and the other

long could he hate

hatred weighed heavily

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

for you

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

recognize him for

comprehend his demands

injured that day? Faced with armed bandits, how

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

acrid scent of blood. She knew the man who had

to do something for him,

Chapter 134

the possibility that her

whispered, “I’ve been seeking answers,

expect from

calm, tinged with a

repay you.” She blushed

you did. He claimed