Crossroads

"Mrs. Wellington, did Ms. Wellington just come over? I saw her in the corridor just now. I called out to her, but she quickly ran away." Yvonne was usually very polite, so this behavior was quite strange.

Facing Sandra's suspicious gaze, Stephanie hesitated. "She just came to Breeze Villa for a stroll."

"I was worried there might be some conflict between you two. This is the first time Ms. Wellington has come here. Did she come for any specific reason?"

"Nothing in particular," Stephanie answered absentmindedly, unwilling to elaborate.

Sandra, sensing the reluctance, decided not to press further. Since there seemed to be no immediate trouble, she went back to her chores. Just as she turned to enter the kitchen, Stephanie suddenly stopped her. "Sandra, do you know anything about Mary's past?"

Sandra was caught off guard by the question and stared at Stephanie, noticing a sharpness in her eyes.

Stephanie said, "I heard that when Mary was young, she was involved with another man. Eventually, Dominick's father defended her and allowed Mary to remain at Wellington Villa. Even if Dominick's father didn't mind, how could Grandpa tolerate such a malicious woman..."

"Although Mary's conduct isn't admirable, we shouldn't speak carelessly," Sandra said. She was so shocked that she even forgot the title and looked around in panic. "Mary was indeed suspected of infidelity in her youth, but that's all in the past." Fortunately, Breeze Villa was quiet, with few people passing by.

George still disliked Mary to this day. Dominick's father must have loved her deeply, accepting even her infidelity.

Stephanie's mind was filled with Yvonne's words from earlier. Were they true?

"Mrs. Wellington, I know Mrs. Mary Wellington hasn't been kind to you, but she's still Mr. Wellington's mother. Sometimes, you just have to respect your elders and not hold grudges."

Mary always targeted Stephanie, and even the servants noticed, though they couldn't understand the source of the enmity. Under the same roof, Sandra advised peace.

Stephanie didn't mind Mary's disdain. Looking at the kind-faced woman in front of her, she knew Sandra had lived in Wellington Villa for many years and would probably learn some secrets.

She asked tentatively, "Sandra, do you know about Dominick's kidnapping when he was a child?"

"What does Mr. Wellington's kidnapping have to do with Mrs. Mary Wellington?"

Sandra was puzzled, so Stephanie didn't ask further but headed towards the stairs.

It seemed no one else knew the truth.

Dominick, usually so cold and detached, had concealed everything to protect his mother from all the Wellingtons.

Returning to her bedroom, Stephanie felt restless. As far as she knew, she thought Dominick would never act so emotionally. If his birth mother had been behind his kidnapping, with his current capabilities...

She sat back on the bed, her face a mix of emotions. She suddenly felt like she didn't know the man she shared her life with.

Whenever she felt troubled and couldn't figure things out, she had a habit of opening her wooden box. The cool pendant rested in her palm.

"He was too weak when he was a child. Maybe he was too scared..." Stephanie had an epiphany. "Even if he controls the Wellington family now, he would never reveal it."

Mary was his biological mother, and he chose to bear the burden himself.

She lowered her gaze to the crescent-shaped pendant in her palm again. "They say Oscar is his savior..."

If Oscar blamed him, what could he do?

"Dominick is very unhappy."

Yvonne's simple, straightforward words echoed, with no embellishment, just the truth. He was very unhappy.

Alone in the spacious bedroom, she looked at his pillow, feeling more agitated.

movement in her belly brought her back to reality, and she placed her hand on her stomach, smiling instinctively.

New life was indeed miraculous. It could brighten her mood instantly, chasing away the gloom.

She decided to go to the third floor. Last time, George had sent a construction team to renovate it into a 2000-square-foot nursery.

The third-floor door wasn't locked, and all the windows were open for ventilation. The colorful cartoon murals on the walls were adorable.

Last time, Stephanie hadn't looked closely. This time, she examined the walls with their vivid depictions of deep-sea fish and castle knights. The breeze stirred the crystal wind chimes on the left side, producing a clear, tinkling sound. This place felt like a fairytale world.

She remembered the small sleeping room for the child on the far right. As expected, two adorable wooden beds were set up in the corner, and the wardrobe was filled with new clothes, from newborn outfits to those for a three-

year-old.

Stephanie took down a few cute outfits and couldn't help but mutter a bit, "Grandpa bought these clothes way too early. By the time the kids can wear them, they'll be out of style. Those sly merchants must have really sweet-talked him."This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

She stared at the clothes in the wardrobe for a while and suddenly realized something that bothered her.

"Why did they buy the same outfits for twins? How will we tell them apart?" she muttered to herself as she tidied the tiny clothes, her voice so low it was barely audible.

However, Dominick, standing outside the door, could clearly see her profile, her brow slightly furrowed in dissatisfaction.

Because all the windows on the third floor were open, the midday sun poured in brightly, comforting the space.

Dominick leaned against the doorframe, quietly watching Stephanie.

Her gentle movements as she folded the clothes, her fluttering eyelashes, her murmured complaints, and her rounded belly carrying their child were all under the warm sunlight, and every little action was beautiful.

"Did you come looking for me?" When Stephanie turned and noticed him, she was unclear how long he had been standing there.

He didn't respond but just gazed at her.

Feeling awkward under his stare, Stephanie hastily looked out the window, trying to explain, "I was bored and came up to see how everything was set up."

41

"Sandra said you waited for me to have breakfast?" He mentioned m another topic out of nowhere.

"No, I didn't." Stephanie was flustered by his intense gaze. "I didn't wait for you. I already ate."

"Is that so?" His tone was calm. His face showed no emotion.

He suddenly turned around. "There's still some formaldehyde here. Don't stay too long."

With that, he walked out, leaving her standing there, stunned.

Stephanie thought, 'He showed up out of nowhere and left just as m quickly Wasn't he here to see me? Leaving without saying much. How baffling.

"Mr. Wellington wasn't always so cold and distant. Sometimes, he wants to show he cares but doesn't know how."

She often found this man peculiar.

People around her often smiled land told her "Maybe he just wants to see you."

'He just misses you...' she repeated.

"Dominick!" A surge of emotion rose within her, and she called out loudly.

The man ahead stopped and immediately turned to look at her..