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?”

laden with

it, and that’s understandable. The only time my father ever helped me was likely due to that scandal, though it was also to protect

her lips lightly, reluctant to continue, remaining silent for a long while

at sunset that day when I was unfortunate enough to get separated from my classmates on the mountainside. Suddenly, five or

Dominick froze momentarily.

Chapter 134

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

him.

“I heard gunshots.

who saved me

words paused, her cheek resting against his arm

the woman nestled beside

you

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

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

exhausted, and a dull ache pulsed through his brain, and he avoided dredging up memories of the

seemed suspended for a

Yet, her determination persisted.

Dominick responded in

“Stephanie, I’m angry

known to her and

could he

burden of hatred weighed heavily

for every misstep, convinced

you to acknowledge

in vain; eventually, he realized it

the beginning, she didn’t recognize him for who he truly

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

injured that day? Faced with armed bandits, how

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

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

do something for him,

Chapter 134

that her

she whispered, “I’ve

do you expect from me? A token of

voice was calm, tinged with a hint

to repay you.” She blushed with

did. He claimed he saved