Crossroads

Chapter 260

Stephanie never imagined that the first person that found her would be him.

She remained huddled in the cramped U–shaped tunnel of the children’s slick, lifting her head slightly. The dim streetlights outside cast a hazy. dreamlike glow as she gazed at the man who suddenly appeared before her. It was Dominick.

When the saw his familiar, stern face, her eyes welled up with tears.

She had so much to say, but the words caught in her throat. She stared at him, afraid he would vanish like a mirage, just like in her dreams, if she called out.

“How long do you plan to hide in there!” Dominick called out impatiently.

Seeing her still motionless, he furrowed his brows in irritation. “Get out!

His deep, magnetic voice was cold and commanding. Yet, she didn’t move. Finally, Dominick’s face darkened. He bent his tall frame, reached in, and, without a hint of gentleness, grabbed her wrist and yanked her out.

Stephanie was caught off guard. Before she knew it, she was pulled forward, her head banging against the slide’s inner wall several times.

Dominick released her as soon as she was out, looking down at her disheveled hair and her pathetic, half–kneeling posture.

“If you want to trade your suffering for sympathy, you’d better make sure you have the worth and ability: Otherwise, you’ll just look foolish His eyes were sharp. his words cold and scomful.

To him, she was worthless now.

the dirty, andy ground, her head

slide. But her legs were numb from staying curled up in the

as she stood up, her right foot twisted, and she

stepped forward and

Have you lost your voice! He was inexplicably annoyed, his grip on her shoulder

words echoed in her mind, a painful brand

in her eyes. She didn’t cry easily, so why

face darkened. “Are you being stubborn or just trying to squeeze more alimony out of

would have retorted immediately,

she remained silent.

related to it. He

early winter night was bone–chilling. Especially in this desolate place, there wasn’t a sound to be

another word, he scooped her

her up, Stephanie instinctively tried to struggle free, but her efforts only intensified his expression as he tightened his grip. His frustration was evident in the way

passenger seat and slammed the door with a force that startled her

started the car. With a press of the accelerator,

really know how to pick a spot to hide,” he mustered darkly, his long fingers gripping the steering

surprised to see he hadn’t brought a

the familiar white buildings ahead, panicked, and raised her voice. “I don’t want to go to the

wailing sirens of ambulances. Terrifying memories flooded back. Dark

c