Crossroads

"Oscar won't hurt me."

In a fit of anger, Vincent retorted, "And has Dominick ever hurt you?"

Stephanie froze, unable to respond.

Too much had happened recently. Her mind was in turmoil, and she didn't want to think about it anymore.

She stood up from the sofa and walked past Vincent, not wanting to discuss this further.

Watching her leave, Vincent darkened his face with rage. He shouted after her, "You too think Dominick is heartless? You've spent nearly a year with him, and you still don't know what kind of person he is? Everyone says he's ruthless and cold-hearted, but Stephanie, you have no say in this?

'I have no say? Really?' Stephanie thought. 'What kind of person is Dominick? Nobody understands him, and no one knows what he's scheming Her steps were slow as she walked out of Breeze Villa. She strolled along the corridor, ignoring the beautiful lotus pond and greenery around her. Her mind replayed all the rumors she had heard about Dominick, She had heard many things about him but knew very little about the man himself.

"He hides things from me. How could I possibly know?" Stephanie muttered to herself, her gaze distant as she looked over the vast garden.

"Has something happened recently?" A voice suddenly came from behind her.

At first, Stephanie thought Vincent had followed her, but when she recognized the voice, she paused to think for a moment.

"Is there something you need?" She didn't answer the question but instead asked calmly.

The person who approached her was the butler, Brad, an elderly man who had served the Wellington family for over thirty years. He was responsible for looking after George and had a say in both household and business matters. Despite his authority, he was always courteous.

In fact, the Wellingtons were not as difficult to get along with as people said. It was just that Stephanie often felt out of place in them, sensing a barrier that kept her from fully integrating into their lives.

Noticing her troubled mood, Brad chose not to pry and got straight to the point. "The nursery you arranged for has been completed. Mr. George Wellington and the others are in Nightingale Villa now. They wanted you to take a look and see if there's anything else that needs changing*

Stephanie was somewhat surprised that they had sought her out over the nursery, Previously, the Wellingtons had already arranged for the entire third floor of Breeze Villa to be converted into a nursery, resembling a children's playground.

However, George felt that the 2000 square feet were insufficient for his grandsons, so he transformed another guest room in his residence in Nightingale Villa into a nursery. This way, the kids could often stay with him.

"Everyone is anticipating the babies' arrival." Brad smiled kindly. "Mr. George Wellington hasn't been this happy in a long time. He supervised the nursery's construction, discussing eco-friendly materials, color schemes, and safety features with the designers at length. It's finished today and looks great, but he seems still unsatisfied and wants it to be even better.

"They are still discussing some minor details. Mr. George Wellington is quite anxious about it, and the designers seem troubled. Mrs. Mary Wellington and Ms. Wellington bought baby clothes and toys yesterday. They are setting things up over there. You should go and have a look, too."

Stephanie listened quietly. Even without going there, she could feel the Wellingtons' enthusiasm for the birth of the heir.

From what she knew, George didn't particularly like Mary, but they seemed to find common ground when it came to children.

Suddenly, she thought of Dominick. Compared to the others, his attitude seemed much colder. Perhaps he didn't like children much.

Stephanie didn't want to go to Nightingale Villa. Her mind was in turmoil, and she just wanted to wander in the garden. "Let Grandpa and the others handle the nursery and baby supplies. I won't go."

Brad found this odd. "Not going? The designers wanted to ask for your input."

"Let Grandpa decide. I don't know much about these things."

Brad didn't press her. George had decreed that nothing should disturb the pregnant mother during the final month before the birth of his beloved great- grandsons. Whatever Stephanie wanted, the Wellingtons would accommodate.

But Stephanie had no requests.

Recently, she had become much quieter, leading them to speculate that she might have quarreled with Dominick.

Mn Welings, no matter what the disagreement with Mr. Wellington, the child is coming soon. Parental discord isn't good for the baby," Brad called out as he watched her walk amlessly along the corridor.

Have you ever been to Mr Wellington's stady?"

Sephanie had heard similar adnotnes many times. Sandra reminded her daily to stay calm and not let anything affect the baby.

As for Dommark's sady, she had meated in once before and was caught. He was furious and scolded her severely.

Vincent had likely normed of in anger, and no one else approached her as she continued her quiet stroll Wandering a fin a trance, she eventually found herself back at Breeze Villa, standing before Dominick's study on the second floor.

Stephane twisted the door handle. To her surprise, the study door was not locked She remembered the last time she had tried to sneak in only to find the door securely locked This time, howeckianas diferent. She was more carious than anything else.

Pushing the door open, she found the room emp

Her eyes took in the neatly organized documents and computer on the large wooden desk, the five fully om stocked bookshelves on the right, a O set of sots, and a coffee table on the ki farked by a couple of shade-loving green plants. Further back, there was a bright floor-to-ceiling window and a spacious belong.

The mards came to dean dhe sundy regularly. Given the number of confidential documents stored there, only Sandra and a few trusted maids were aloved inside Stephanie walked in dowly, her curiosity piqued

She noticed a small door at the end of the bookshelves leading to amm to adjoining guest room. It dawned on her that Dominick might rest there head of going to the bedroom

kwa atofer reminder of how Inde dhe ty knew about him He dad to liide and the asked even less What did dont make their marriage £fectionate, mandre, or indiferent? She didn't know.

She turned to leave, wary of Curbing anything But as the glanced at the wooden desk, something caught her eye. A guide for expectant fathers?"

Her eyes it up, and the quickly approached the desk, picking up the book and examining it closely. "A book on parenting?"

She glanced at the stack of seven or eight similar books beside the computer, including postnatal care guides.

Without hesitation the sat in his chair and began fipping through the books.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

From dietary and lifestyle tips during pregnancy to clinical procedures om during childbirth and managing a mother's emotional ups and downs, Stephanie read with growing amusemen

She had never imagined that Dominick would read such books in his sandy.

Ir aned out that even he was anions about becoming a father