Crossroads

Chapter 232

“I love

chimi

Diana stood frozen, caught off guard, listening to Stephanie’s helpless scream of these three simple, direct words.

Diana knew her niece was never a weak woman. She was headstrong, stubborn, and rarely complained. But seeing her like this, sobbing uncontrollably, Diana Felt deeply conflicted and distressed.

Due to the heavy rain, traffic on the highway ahead had come to a standstill. Many people curiously looked at them through their car windows, with the sounds of rain, thunder, and muffled conversations filling the air.

The scrutiny made Diana uncomfortable. She looked at Stephanie, who was drenched and appeared weak, especially with her visibly belly. She really shouldn’t be out in the rain like this.

“Tim doing this for your own good. Let’s go home now…” Diana softened her voice, trying to calm her down.

pregnant

The woman in front of her remained silent, refusing to move. Diana knew her temperament well and dragged her towards the gate of their place, gripping her wrist tightly enough to leave marks.

want to go back to Wellington Villa, Stephanie insisted, standing her ground against Diana’s attempts to move

her.

No matter how much Diana persuaded or reasoned with her, it was useless. Frustrated, Diana finally snapped, “You say you love him, but do you even know what love is, Stephanie? I’ve known you since you were a little girl. I know you better than anyone. You don’t even understand your own feelings. When Kevin chased after you because his mother told him to, you felt you owed him and agreed immediately. You gave everything, waiting patiently. And what did you get in the end? Claire came in and wrecked your marriage, and you were left out in the cold.”

Indeed, she had lost everything.

clenched as she listened to Diana. Everything

years of cold neglect, had taken a toll. She was

before.

knew her well and understood how to persuade her. I’ve told you before, gratitude isn’t love, but you won’t listen. You think you owe him… You jumped into this engagement

a home. Is that

had been exposed. Her stubborn voice sought an excuse for

ask for it. And if you asked but still didn’t get it, it was never meant for you! We

or sharp–tongued. All she wanted to say was,

into hers,

and suddenly, you were in love with him. You’ve been living in a bubble, sheltered by the Reed and Clark families your whole life. But then your grandfather died, your father cheated, your mother committed suicide… Deep down, you couldn’t handle it. You put on a brave face, but you’ve been clinging to

owe them anything. You were abducted by those thugs on your high school graduation trip. Kevin just happened to be passing

time

bullet Stephanie’s mind echoed her

memory, but

down as people began opening car doors and approaching. “What are you arguing about! Go home. It’s

drag her out in the rain.

Stephanie, adding

mind, a foreign and terrifying word. Her body went rigid. “What happened to

it. There’s a bullet

Chapter 232

traumatic high school trip you’ve blocked out because you’re scared to face it. Reality doesn’t allow you to mess around or fantasize. Dominick

down, make you feel guilty, trap you in this mess with no way out. You need to face reality. The reality is that Dominick

the hospital that day after the accident. Dominick pulled through, but Oscar… He was in a coma for six years. They’re even now. No one owes anyone anything. If it weren’t for Oscar, Dominick would be dead. That bullet in his head? That’s his own damn fault, his burden to

silent, letting the cold

to drag her down and trap