Crossroads

Chapter 45

Dominick had been busy these past few days, having gone on a business trip to Nivalls.

Since he wasn't home, Stephanle enjoyed having the whole big bed to herself. However, George gave her a look that seemed to express disappointment. He even reminded her that no matter how busy Dominick was, he must make it back for "classes" on Sunday.

Stephanie thought Dominick would ignore George's remarks, but to her surprise, he actually agreed to return to the country before Sunday.

With a blank expression, Stephanie flipped through an entertainment magazine and said with a slightly jealous tone, "Maybe he's missing his Jessica back home."

Jessica was now a sensation, wildly popular everywhere. Her advertisements could be seen everywhere, and it was all thanks to Stephanie's husband.

"Jessica, ever since that scandal with the kiss mark, you've been constantly on the hot search list. Today, your fans have surpassed ten million, and advertisers are lining up for appointments..." Annie Folbre, her manager, excitedly walked into the makeup room. She paused mid-sentence and asked, "Jessica, what's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?"

At that moment, Jessica's demeanor at the vanity was nothing like her usual gentle on-screen presence. She turned angrily at the makeup artist behind her and snapped, "Get out all of you!"

Afterward, only Annie and Jessica were left in the makeup room. Annie thought for a moment before asking, "Is it because Mr. Wellington hasn't come to see you since you jumped into the lake last time?"

Upon hearing that, Jessica's expression grew even darker.

Annie speculated suspiciously. "Could it be that Mr. Wellington didn't stay with you that day? But Mr. Hayes and I clearly saw the two of you in bed...

Jessica interrupted angrily, "Stop talking!"

Annie's voice softened as she tried to console her. "Don't be so upset. Even if Mr. Wellington didn't stay the night, at least he rushed over when he heard you had jumped into the lake. That shows he still cares..."

Jessica gritted her teeth and said, "Annie, do you realize how worried I am about Stephanie from the Wellington family..."

"Stephanie? The divorcee who married Mr. Wellington to become a part of the Wellington family when she was pregnant?" Annie paused for a moment and scoffed disdainfully, "Jessica, you really don't need to worry about her. She's just your replacement. Think about it, you were gone for three years, and Mr. Wellington had no other women beside him. He must have been thinking of you that night when he mistook her for you. Honestly, I think Stephanie is quite pitiful"

"That's not it!" Jessica's eyes filled with unsettled emotions as she quickly countered, "Annie, you don't understand..."

With that, her expression turned complex, and she hesitantly said, "... I indeed was with Dominick before, but we...we never slept together."

Annie exclaimed, "What?! You guys never..."

With a shocked expression, she thought, "How is that possible?'

Jessica continued, "I'm really worried now, Stephanie is pregnant, and with all that time she spent with Dominick at Wellington Villa, he might forget about me. Without Dominick, how will I manage in the industry...

She wore a look of resentment as she brought up Stephanie's pregnancy, her jealousy unmistakable in her eyes.

10:34 Sat, 22 Jun Chapter 45

Jessica grumbled inwardly, "Why did Stephanie have to be the one who got pregnant? If it had been me back then, I would have been Mrs. Wellington by now!!

Annie patted Jessica's shoulder, comforting her. "Mr. Wellington thought you were dead, so that's why Stephanie lucked out and found her chance. I heard they only got a marriage license, and Mr. Wellington even canceled the wedding himself. I bet once she gives birth, she won't be of any use anymore..."

Annie paused and chuckled, "But it's different with you. You two were once lovers, and now, everyone in the circle respects you, all thanks to Mr. Wellington pulling some strings. A man who can make you this successful obviously adores you...."

Jessica lifted her eyebrows in pride upon hearing this Indeed. her career wa was now flourishing, and no one dared to cross her.

Jessica said, "Although that's true, I still can't stand that Stephanie. Annie, find an opportunity to remind her who the real Mrs. Wellington is!"

She then glared at her own reflection in the mirror with a sinister look. Stephanie's face was similar to hers, which always left her feeling uneasy.

When Sunday came, Dominick really did rush back from Nivalis.

As they stepped out of the parent-to-be class, Stephanie asked him, "Dominick, are you tired?"

Dominick had landed at seven o'clock in the morning and had been with her in class by eight o'clock. He didn't even have time to rest, and now he looked a bit tired.

However, when Stephanie asked if he was tired, Dominick paused and looked at her suspiciously.

"What are you looking at?" Stephanie felt a bit uncomfortable under his intense gaze.

Dominick's expression turned complex, and he quickly turned to look the other away without responding.

He wondered, 'Is she showing concern for me? Does this count as concern?"

Stephanie found Dominick's behavior odd, guessing he was probably attending the class reluctantly due to pressure from his grandfather.

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"Dominick, let's sit in the square across the street for a while before we go back," she suggested softly, her eyes sneakily noting his tired face. She thought it would be good for him to rest before driving back.

Dominick then hummed in agreement.

Afterward, the two walked side by side toward the square, where Stephanie chose a stone bench under a tree and sat down, with Dominick sitting beside her.

It was around half a month after Christmas, and today was the 14th. Tomorrow would be the 15th, the Winter Festival, so festive lights were hung all around, creating a celebratory atmosphere.

Stephanie noticed a vendor selling cute festive lights across the street and shook Dominick's arm excitedly.

"Dominick, tomorrow's the Winter Festival. Will the Wellington family also hang festive lights at the villa?" she asked with a smile, "And are we going to have desserts tomorrow night?"

But at the mention of the Winter Festival, Dominick's face instantly turned dark and gloomy.

It was as if the Winter Festival was a taboo word.

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Stephanie also noticed the change in Dominick's mood and asked, "What's wrong?" She thought, "Hmm, how odd. His expression seems to carry a mix of...

resentment Dominick didn't respond to her. Stepha new messages on WhatsApp.

suddenly became concerned, but just as she was about to press further, her phone chimed with Dominick casually glanced at her phone screen, but his eyes suddenly sharpened, and he asked displeasedly. "Who is that?"

Stephanie just clicked open the new messages on WhatsApp and was about to tell him.

But Dominick, recalling some unpleasant memories and thinking she was being evasive, stared at her more intensely.

"How come you're so close with this Vincent? Remember, you are a married woman now!" His tone was cold and with a hint of warning, Stephanie looked up and retorted somewhat angrily, "This is your best friend, Vincent."

Upon hearing the name, Dominick's stem face paused for a moment.

He turned his head away, his voice sounding strange as he replied, "Oh."

Dominick pondered, 'I misunderstood her just now."

Stephanie, as a forgiving person, decided not to hold a grudge against Dominick, but she could tell that something had just upset him.

She then spoke again. "Dominick, about the Winter Festival..." Dominick seemed unwilling to respond to Stephanie's comment and abruptly changed the subject with a cold tone. "Stephanie, what's your WhatsApp number?"

At the mention of WhatsApp, Stephanie had her grievances.

She complained bitterly as she handed her phone to Dominick, "Vincent is being absolutely ridiculous. Can you believe he said my nickname in the WhatsApp's About column lacks depth?"

Dominick looked at the nickname "Steph Force" in WhatsApp's About column, and his eyes paused momentarily before a barely noticeable smile crossed his face.

Stephanie clearly saw him smiling. She then lowered her gaze and began to doubt whether the name she chose was really so lacking in depth.

She leaned closer to Dominick and asked timidly, "Hey, Dominick, what do you think of this nickname?"

He slightly raised an eyebrow at Stephanie's anxious demeanor and gently ruffled her hair with his large hand. "It's good," Dominick said simply. When Stephanie looked into Dominick's eyes, which were as if filled with amusement, her cheeks inexplicably blushed slightly.

She couldn't help but think that Dominick looked enchantingly handsome when he smiled.

Seeing him like this, Stephanie felt her cheeks grow even warmer.

Why is your face all red?" Dominick a cold?"

Stephanie was very embarrassed.

suddenly frowned and reached out to touch her forehead, his expression turning serious. "Did you catch

"No!" She was flustered and raised her voice. Stephanie then casually pointed at the convenience store across the street. "Dominick, could U-34

Chapter 45

you buy me a bottle of mineral water? I'm thirsty." Dominick observed Stephanie for a while before finally getting up and heading toward the convenience store.

1998

Stephanie remained seated on the stone bench under the shade of the tree. As she watched his tall figure cross the street to buy her water, her heartbeat inexplicably quickened.

She stretched out her hands to hold her burning cheeks, quickly trying to cool herself down to avoid Dominick suspecting she had caught a cold.

Stephanie thought, 'Being around a handsome guy all day is really dangerous..."

Just then, a car screeched to a halt behind her. Afterward, a woman leaned out of the car window and called out to Stephanie. "Ms. Reed..."

Stephanie looked conflicted after hearing that sweet voice. She thought, 'It's her...'

Without needing to look back, Stephanie recognized the voice as that of th Jessica called out to her again. "Ms. Reed, could you do me a favor?"

of the recently famous star, Jessica.

Stephanie was conflicted, thinking, "She keeps calling me Ms. Reed instead of Mrs. Wellington, almost as if on purpose. But then again, she's Dominick's Jessica. I shouldn't offend her! With that thought, she stood up and walked toward the white Bentley.

She asked indifferently, "What is it?"

Jessica was seated inside the car.

She was adorned with exquisite makeup, looking stunning, with an smile on her face. "Ms. Reed, Dominick spent the night at my place a while ago and left his tie. Thaven't had a chance to return it to him. If you don't mind, could you....

Upon hearing about the overnight stay and the forgotten tie, Stephanie looked somewhat pale.

She responded, "S...sure."

As Stephanie looked at Jessica inside the car, she felt a sense of humility welling up inside her.

Seeing her subdued appearance, Jessica smirked arrogantly. She then pretended to look around in the dar and, looking up somewhat sheepishly, said, "Ah, I've been so busy lately, the tie seems to have been left in the dressing room again....

"If that's the case, I'll just return it to Dominick myself next time, no need to trouble you, Ms. Reed." Jessica's smile grew broader, a hint of triumph evident, Afterward, Stephanie stood by the roadside and watched as Jessica's car sped away.

Just then, Dominick returned with the water and approached Stephanie, asking concernedly, "What are you doing standing here?"

She instinctively stepped back and took the mineral water from him. "Thank you."

Dominick narrowed his eyes and observed the sudden cool distance in Stephanie's demeanor toward him.

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