Cross Roads

Chapter 229 Ourile, the sky was filled with rolling dark clouds. The wind howled, whipping the tree branches into a frenzy and sending leaves and dust swirling through the air. A streak of lighting suddenly cut through the dark sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder. It was a night that made one want to hide under the covers.

Stephanie looked out the windows, feeling uneasy.

to go out at this time.

"The weather is nasty, It looks like a typhoon is coming..." It was clearly not wise to All day, the wind had been picking up, and the sky had been growing darker. But the rain still hadn't come, and the clouds seemed to be holding their breath, gathering strength for a massive downpour.

Stephanie reached out, shutting the windows tight and pulling the curtains closed.

Just as she turned to leave, she remembered something and called out, Dominick The quiet bedroom seemed even more silent because of the thunder outside, with no response, "Dominick!" Her face suddenly turned anxious. She quickly walked over and felt relieved to see the man still sitting by the bed. “Dominick, why didn't you answer me?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

A figure obscured his view as Dominick finally looked up, his voice laced with a hint of mixed feelings, "What's the matter? "What's the matter? I called you three times Stephanie leaned in close, scrutinizing him with sconfusion. "I was thinking about something.” He spoke as if it was nothing, turning his head to avoid her gaze. Then, he quickly added, his tone calm as usual, "Something about the company." The company? You're just making excuse. He was lying.

Stephanie stopped, her eyes boring into him, her face filled with nervousness and frustration. She raised her voice and yelled at him, I told you before, when I call you three times, you have to answer, no matter what.. Dominick, don't you dare pull this crap with me. You can't just ignore Hearing her voice drop, Dominick knew Stephanie was that kind of woman. Even if she was scared, the toughest words she could can't ignore me...

utter wers, You She was the only one who dared speak to him like that, and even be found himself spoiling her whims. Repeated setbacks could break a person, bur he didn't want her to feel wronged. She deserved to be spoiled, to be a little reckless "When have I ever ignored you?" Dominick reached, pulling her onto his lap. He stared at her face, watching her anger melt into uncertainty and unease. All her emotions were written on her face. She was actually quite lost.

"Ive been dealing with something lately. It's a bit tricky," he softly continued, looking into her eyes. That wasn't a lie.

"So, this morning at breakfast, is this what you were thinking about?" "Yes." His eyes suddenly drifted away from hers.

Stephanie wasn't so sure. She shifted slightly and wrapped her arms around his neck, looking at him. Strangely, she started to feel uncontrollably Maybe he was just too tired lately.

"Diana made dinner forlast night," Stephanie said, her voice softening. Just the two of us, eating simple home-cooked dishes." She spoke as if to herself, unsure why she was sharing this but feeling a compulsion to tell him anyway.

*Diana tolda lot. She says someone like you is way our of my league, that I'll always feel like I don't measure up if I marry you." Dominick's body stiffened, but she continued, her words devoid of any insecurity, When I first married into the Wellington family, sure, I was intimidated" She nuzzled closer, her face buried in the crook of his neck. His shoulders were broad and comforting, his chest solid and warin. Dominick was in great shape. She'd checked his temperature earlier, just to be sure.

"But even the great Mr. Hayes of Havencrest gets bossed around byevery day. Why should I feel small” she added a teasing tone to her words. She had cto realize that even the sprawling Wellington Villa was cold and unfamiliar. She knew Dominick had her back. No matter what she messed up or misspoke, he'd be there. With him around, there was no reason to feel humble.

Dominick hadn't expected her to say such things. He didn't fully understand what she meant. The complexities of emotions between men and 13.28 PM ₫ Chapter 920 women were a puzzle to him. Sull, her words surprised him, and a flicker of warmth spread through him. Stephanie, however, want good at saying sentimental things. Her cheeks flushed as she raised her head, trying to be serious. “Dominick, are you hungry? Should I ask Sandra to bring dinner up now!" "D's fine. I am good." "But you only had splain oatmeal for breakfast.” It seemed like Dominick was really easy to take care of. "I don't feel like eating. Maybe later..." He was clearly pushing himself too hard. As soon as he spoke, a sharp pain shot through his head. His face turned pale as he gritted his teeth to endure it.

"Is your head hurting again?" Seeing him wince, Stephanie slipped off his lap, and her voice edged with concern.

Something in her eyes, the raw worry she wasn't even trying to hide, touched him. "Yeah," he admitted quietly, not bothering to deny it this time.

"Lay down. I'll get the oil and give you a rub..." Stephanie was used to Dominick's migraines. The doctor had said they were caused by his late nights and overworking. It seemed to be nothing serious, so she wasn't overly concerned. Over time, she'd figured out how to apply just the right force with the oil to give him srelief.

"How's that feel!" Stephanie wasn't born to be gentle, but she tried her best to learn.

Her fingers gently pressed on his temples. The cool medicated oil added a soothing effect. Dominick felt srelief. At least she wasn't pressing like she was trying to pop his head like a balloon anymore.

"If you're tired, just take a nap, Stephanie said softly. I have Sandra bring up dinner when you wake up "Okay," he murmured.

It had been ages since they'd shared such a peaceful moment. Maybe it was the storm raging outside, but the warmth inside their bedroom felt especially precious.

Dominick, remember you promised to taketo that boxing gym? And don't forget about shooting and horseback riding too. Now that I've had the baby, I want to go "You need to rest" He rejected her immediately, his voice firm. He knew she needed to recover after giving birth.

"Fine, but once I am alright, I want to go. The membership for that club is so expensive. As the boss' wife, I should at least check it out"

Stephanie started unbuttoning his shirt, revealing has sculpted chest. Her touch was soft as she traced her m fingers along his skin. Dominick's eyes bechis kin e slightly hary, and he just stared at her silently. The room seemed to fill with unspoken tension.

Stephanie rolled her eyes at him. What is he thinking?" She rubbed smedicinal oil onto his shoulders and chest.

Her mood brightened, and she continued her negotiation, "And our sons. I don't want them growing up to be weak They need to learn to stand up for himself from a young age. Even Thomas said that a person who can protect themselves can protect the ones they love." Stephanie wasn't sure which word made him tense up, but she felt his body shudder slightly. She turned her head to look at him. "What's wrong? Am I pressing too hard?" "No." His voice was a bit hoarse as he quickly denied it.

"Your grandpa and my grandpa have similar temperaments, he suddenly said, as if changing the topic.

"They do, both are stubborn Stephanie thought for a moment and then casually asked, "Since my m grandpa and your grandpa are about E the sage, they should know each other even if they're not close. So how cthe Clarks and the Wellingtons have zero contact "Is it because one's in politics and the other's in business, so they don't have much in common? Or is it that your Wellington family is too arrogant, 50 Thomas didn't want to be bothered with you all...

"Hey, Dominick, tell me..." His mind started to drift, her words blurring into a pleasant hum.

n. i was nice just having her voice there.

"Stephanie," he mumbled, "we.. Living like this forever, it's good." Maybe Dominick was truly exhausted. He closed his eyes and whispered softly.

"Like what? She couldn't quite understand what he was thinking.

14:20 PM Chapter 229 He didn't elaborate, his mind too clouded and heavy to form the words. All he wanted was to rest. His last lingering thought was that having her by his side, simply living like this, would be wonderful. "Dominick... Dominick? Dominick!" Stephanie stood frozen beside the bed, her face draining of color as she shrieked his nthree times.

But there was no answer.

X