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.

as she listened to Diana. Everything Diana said was

of cold neglect, had taken a toll.

before.

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 because of the trauma of your family falling apart. You

want a home.

her hidden secret had been exposed. Her stubborn voice sought an excuse for herself. Everyone made mistakes, and everyone

house isn’t yours. What did your grandfather always say? “If you don’t get something, it’s because you didn’t ask for it. And if you asked but still didn’t get it, it was never meant for you! We Clarks don’t take what doesn’t belong to us. Wanting a house to hide in is not

fell silent, unable to find the right words. Unlike Hayley, she wasn’t quick–witted or sharp–tongued. All she wanted to

how?” Diana’s eyes bore into hers,

school graduation trip, so you agreed to marry him. Dominick told you he was the one who saved you, 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 some

happened to be passing by, and the bullet in Dominick’s head wasn’t your fault. Even if he hadn’t

time

bullet Stephanie’s mind

memory,

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

out in the rain. Have some

swirled around Stephanie, adding to

mind, a foreign and terrifying word. Her body went

There’s a bullet fragment lodged

Chapter 232

truth. This is reality. Just like that traumatic high school trip you’ve blocked out because you’re scared to face it. Reality doesn’t allow you to mess around

The reality is that Dominick made his own bad choices. You have nothing to do with him. You

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 bear. He wants to drag you down with him,

remained silent, letting the

wanted to drag her