Crossroads

"Why does it have to be your These words from Dominick the other night lingered in her mind.

They were so soft, so faint, yet so melancholy.

She looked down at the blood-red pendant in her palm, her expression frozen, her thoughts heavy.

"Mrs, Wellington, Mr. Hayes is waiting for you downstairs," Sandra gently reminded her, knocking twice on the bedroom door.

Stephanie snapped back to reality,

"Okay, she responded absentmindedly, tightly gripping the pendant. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her clothes and headed downstairs.

"Mrs. Wellington, your due date is next month. Please take care of yourself and your emotions." Sandra was worried and accompanied her down the stairs.

Ever since she returned from Molly's place, Stephanie had become very withdrawn. The Wellingtons' servants didn't know what had transpired, but they sensed her deep sadness.

"It's due next month. Why couldn't they wait another month to tell me?" She walked carefully, each step deliberate, speaking softly to herself, words only she could hear.

Breeze Villa living room on the first floor was empty, with only Vincent standing in the center. "When did you meet Oscar?"" he asked directly, cutting to the chase,"

Stephanic approached him, clearly seeing the cold look on his face. When his eyes met hers, they were filled with suspicion and unfamiliarity.

"I told you before, I've known him for a long time," she said, sitting on the sofa, not wanting to face his suspicion.

Though she and Vincent were considered good friends, the way he looked at her now made it seem as if she could never fit into their world.

"Is that pendant from Oscar..." Vincent's face remained stern. He had so many questions for her, but as soon as he started to speak, he couldn't continue,

"A crescent-shaped pendant, there are two pieces, forming a perfect circle when put together. I have one. Oscar has the other."

He couldn't ask, so Stephanie raised her head and answered openly, "Oscar and I were betrothed when we were kids."

"You, Stephanie, you've got some nerve!" Vincent's expression changed drastically, and furious words spilled out.

He had suspected it before coming, but the boldness with which she admitted it, her attitude, and every word she said stoked his anger. "So what's the deal now?

"Stephanie, why the hell did you make things so complicated? Do you even realize that Oscar is Dominick's friend? If it weren't for Oscar, if it weren't for the debt, we wouldn't have to bother with those Pearson family losers all these years.

Because Dominick owed Oscar a life. He owed his friend a life. How could he..."

Vincent's voice was strained as he stepped forward, gripping her shoulders, angrily questioning her, "Dominick married you. You're carrying his child. How is he supposed to face..."

"To face Oscar. His words trailed off Vincent knew he was venting his anger on her, but how else could they deal with this?

"Stephanie, why does it have to be you?" Vincent felt a heavy weight on his chest, frustration bubbling over as he released her shoulders and shouted down at her.

She remained seated on the sofa, expressionless, listening to his mocking words without a single retort.

"Why does it have to be you? That same phrase echoed in her mind.

That night, Dominick calmly returned the pendant to her. There was no anger, no smashing the pendant to pieces. He was so calm as if it weren't hir.

She had stood tense before him, his silence stretching on. The only thought in her mind was how cold his hands felt.

She wanted to say something at that moment, but the words caught in her throat,

10:19 AM C Chapter 203

She watched Dominick turn away, open the door, and walk out, Step by step, he vanished from her sight.Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

Perhaps it was the dim lighting in the hallway, but as she watched his tall, solitary figure, a deep sense of desolation washed over her.

She clutched the pendant tightly in her palm, and it seemed to remain cold no matter how she tried to warm it. Suddenly, Stephanie looked up, her gaze lost, staring towards the door.

Since that night, she hadn't seen him.

Dominick hadn't returned to Wellington Villa, and no one knew where he was.

Was he avoiding this? Perhaps he didn't even know himself.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"""

Wild grasses grew unchecked in a remote, desolate area between Frostvale and Caclorium. Recent heavy rains had turned the dirt roads into muddy pits, and the nearby barren hills had been stripped of trees, leaving only a few sparse, ragged trees with withered leaves.

Amidst this desolation stood an unexpectedly simple courtyard house. Moss covered the outer walls, and the roof tiles were sparse and leaky from years of exposure to wind and rain. The entire place was in a state of disrepair.

"Creak." The old, heavy wooden door creaked open. It had been years since anyone had set foot there.

Inside, the furniture was covered in dust. Though worn, the fine craftsmanship of the solid wood pieces suggested they were once high-quality items. This understated, unpretentious courtyard mirrored its owner's temperament.

Oscar stood silently in front of a wall on the left side of the hall. This wall was adorned with neatly arranged photo frames of various sizes, capturing memories.

The pictures had been blurred by rainwater, but one could still discern brothers, an image of two ele other's each with a hand on shoulder, dressed in their beloved military uniforms. Despite their stern faces, there was a warmth and camaraderie that spoke of a deep bond forged through shared trials,

He raised a hand, gently wiping the dust off one of the photos.

Dominick stood at the doorway, unwilling to cross the threshold. His gaze was conflicted as he watched Oscar inside, who remained as quiet as ever. Oscar's eyes were filled with memories.

Dominick knew this place was laden with Oscar's and Stephanie's childhood memories.

This place was Thomas' former residence. Oscar's grandfather also lived here. It was here that Oscar and Stephanie had first met a long, long time ago.

"Oscar, I didn't know..." Dominick's deep and low voice echoed in the desolate house. "I didn't know about your relationship with Stephanie. The year my father passed away, I returned from Aurorastra to attend the funeral in Havencrest. After that, I knew you went to Caelorium."

That year, he had gone to Caclorium just to pass the time, unaware that Oscar had gone there because of a girl.

That same year, Dominick stayed in Caclorium for half a year as an assistant professor, also because of a girl.

Dominick's words sounded like an explanation but also like he was emphasizing something.

Had he known carlier, would he still have ended up with Stephanie?

He didn't know. But now, she was his wife, carrying his child.

She belonged to him. "Oscar, what exactly do you want to do?"