Crossroads

Without another word, he turned and walked out of the bedroom.

Stephanie watched his retreating back in silence, her eyes narrowing as she fixated on him, e real She was certain this wasn't just her imagination. Dorninick's uncharacteristic disarray and even his hurried, unsteady steps were What on earth was wrong with him?

Could he be ill Before long, the door opened again, and Sandra entered with a large bowl of clam chowder. "It's very hot, be careful" she cautioned with her usual meticulous care.

Stephanie, sull nestled in bed, didn't rush to eat. She craned her neck to watch Sandra set out the bowl and spoon. Suddenly, she spoke. "Take some to the study for Dominick. He might not have had dinner yet?

Sandra ladled out half a bowl of soup as she responded, "Yes, he hasn't eaten dinner."

"Ms. Isaac called earlier to remind me that Mr. Wellington drank quite a bit outside and didn't have dinner. I had the cook prepare enough for both of you, so just leave it here. He prefers eating with you anyway...

Stephanie fell quiet

"Oh, she replied absently She rolled over in bed, half-burying her face in the pillow, suddenly feeling a loss of appetite.

She heard a soft click as Sandra gently closed the door and left Silence once again enveloped the bedroom.

"Hayley is so considerate....

Only after Sandra left did Stephanie sit up in bed. She felt a bit petty and didn't want others to think she was overly sensitive.

Stephanie had her pride. Even though she couldn't assist Dominick with the corporation's affairs like Hayley, she didn't want to be a burden to him.

She desperately wanted to do something for him, but what could she do?

The ornate round clock on the wall ticked away the minutes from 10 o'clock. Lost in her muddled thoughts, she looked up to find it was already midnight Glancing at the bedroom door, she noted Dominick still hadn't returned. Was he planning to stay in the study all nightt She ran her fingers through her long hair, feeling increasingly agitated.

"Your soup is getting cold" Due to her mix of emotions, she spoke hastily. Grabbing her phone, she called that familiar number without a second thought.

On the other end of the phone. Dominick listened to her voice but didn't respond.Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

Feeling increasingly awkward, Stephanie raised her voice, trying to sound serious. "Your soup is here. Sandra had the cook prepare your portion, and it's in the bedroom!"

Dominick's cold eyes flickered with surprise as he absently stared at the new documents on his computer screen, her voice coming through clearly.

She wanted him to come to the bedroom.

"Okay," he replied.

Hearing his acknowledgment, Stephanie felt a wave of relief and quickly hung up, feeling a bit guilty.

"It's like I'm summoning him for some favor, how ridiculous," she muttered to herself, unable to help but criticize her own behavior.

Dominick, perhaps actually hungry, swiftly ungry, swiftly shut down h t down his computer and tidied up his desk before heading over.

"I've eaten some. The rest in the bowl is warm, that's all for you."

They rarely had the chance to sit down and eat together like an ordinary couple. Stephanie, in an uncharacteristic show of care, ladled out half a bowl and pushed it towards him. The man across from her looked at her with surprise.

10:25 AM Chapter 191

"Thanks" He elegantly sipped his soup without much to say, The spacious bedroom fell silent once more.

Molly often advised Stephanie to communicate more with her husband, but Stephanie realized she and Dominick hard little to talk about.

Moreover, tonight he seemed deliberately distant. She knew Dominick was hiding something from her.

"What a stupid man!' she thought, shooting him a glare.

"I fell into the pond this afternoon. I didn't catch a cold, and I'm fine now,"

Finding the silence unbearable, Stephanie began talking about her day. She figured he'd find out and scold her later anyway.

000

"Also, it wasn't my idea to go to Gordon Hotel. Hayley used your phone to text me, asking me to go. Her tone grew peculiar as she trailed off, the mention of Hayley had stirred up her emotions.

Dominick remained silent, placing his bowl back on the table, watching her obviously frustrated expression.

She rarely volunteered information like this, usually, the servants reported to him, and he would then confront her. Listening to Stephanie's candid confession tonight, he was quite surprised Sandra had already informed him about her fall into the pond. He knew she was a good swimmer, and before her pregnancy, she was quite agile. He wasn't too concerned since she was alright now.

However, the texting incident puzzled him.

"Hayley didn't send you any texts. Let me see your phone."

"Who else could do such a thing?"

Stephanie snapped, her face tightening. "I called, and she answered too.

She had clearly received a text from his number. Dominick's phone wasn't something just anyone could borrow. Besides Hayley, who else could it be?

"It wasn't her." Dominick insisted firmly, scrutinizing her as he looked at the white phone in her right hand. "Hand it over"

But Stephanie gripped her phone tightly, refusing to comply out of sheer rubbornness Why did he trust Hayley so much!

"Fine. let's just say I'm lying. I went out in the pouring rain just to mess around, making everyone worry. I'm really sorry for that she said sorry! Karcautically, quickly standing up and heading back to the large bed.

I_ "Stephanie!" Dominick's voice, filled with a mix of frustration and concern, called after her.

He couldn't Warm her as she had grown Immune to that.

Stephanie climbed into bed, pulled the thin blanket over her head, and ignored him.

With her face buried under the blanket, her ears were alert. Not long after, she heard the sound of running water in the bathroom: Dominick seemed to be taking a shower Surprisingly, he didn't press her further about falling into the pond or about the text message. He didn't even try to take her phone.

She peeked out from under the blanket scanning the room. Sure enough, he was in the bathroom, Feeling somewhat childish, Stephanie unlocked her phone again to look at the text message she had received carlier. It clearly showed it was from Dominick Irritated, she found herself unable to sleep.

She didn't understand much about him, but maybe Hayley did...

Just thinking about Hayley made her even more upset. It wasn't quite was om jealousy, it was the it was the fact that another woman was constantly around her husband, meddling behind the scenes.

The most frustrating part was that Dominick and Hayley were long time friends. If Stephanie complained, she'd come off as petty, which was just downright infuriating.

People would even say she was bullying Hayley. After all, Hayley wasn't an evil woman; she genuinely cared for and helped Dominick.

She wanted Dominick to stay away from her, but their work required them to interact. Plus, Hayley had connections with George. Mary and Yvonne How annoying!

If violence could solve her problems, Stephanie would grab an oversized frying pan and smack Hayley so hard she'd fly across never to be seen again.

ss the Pacific Ocean, As a married woman, Stephanie suddenly felt deeply that one must guard mistresses.