Cross Roads

Chapter 152 "Dominick.." she called out twice, but the man sitting quietly on the edge of the bed didn't respond, as if he hadn't heard her at all.

Stephanie brought a first aid box into the room; her delicate brows furrowed as the observed Dominick. His demeanor struck her as odd.

Since returning to the bedroom, he had been sitting there, head slightly bowed, staring blankly at his hands. He flexed and unflexed his fingers as though deeply engrossed in testing something It wasn't until Stephanie approached him and called his nagain. "Dominick" This time, he looked up sharply, a flash of inexplicable panic crossing his eyes.

"What happened to you? Stephanie quickly sat beside him, looking at him suspiciously. She hesitated before asking, "Dominick, did you not hearearlier!" His reaction had been one of clear shock as if surprised by her sudden appearance or perhaps by something else entirely.

"Nothing" he replied, his usual cold expression returning as he turned his head slightly away from her. His voice was hoarse. "I don't need any medicine. The headache is gone.

Histo rone was low and detached, as if trying to convince her everything was fine Stephanie sat next to him, pressing her lips, suddenly falling silent. It was clear he didn't want to tell her anything.

They had just finished lunch. The sun outside was scorching, and the sky was clear and vibrant blue. Yet, in the spacious bedroom, the cool air from the air conditioner made the atmosphere feel strangely chally.

Stephanie's mood inexplicably sank. She rummaged through the first aid kit, pulled out an electronic thermometer, and played with it in her right hand. Her expression conflicted He said nothing was wrong and that he didn't need any medicine, which implied he didn't need ber She cluiched the thermometer tightly, accidentally pressing the button, which emitted a soft beep She was still sulking and was startled by the sound. She quickly hid the thermometer "Care to take my temperature?" His request was a stark contrast to her flustered actions. His tone carried a hint of resignation She stared at him momentarily, ensuring she hadn't misheard.

Stephanie suddenly perked up and moved closer to him, her concem evident. “Dominick, since when did you becso delicate?" Delicate. She actually used that word to describehe thought Dominick didn't reply, instead casting her a sidelong glance, half-umiling as he watched her bustling about with renewed enthusiasm "You're running a fever of 101.3 degrees, and you still say nothing's wrong," Stephanie stared at the thermometer, her face clouded with worry.

She was about to turn and call for the maid to fetch a doctor when Dominick grasped her right wrist. That's not necessary," he said. His eyes were half-closed in fatigue. “Stephanie, just lie down withfor a while" He said, "Don't move "Hut I need to put a cooling patch on you first” She rumenaged around in the bed adjusting the covers, fiddling with the air conditioner remote. and checking his temperature every ten minutes.

"Dominick, your sons sleep a lot. They're not tired. She used their sons as an excuse again, planning to get up and apply salcohol to cool him down physically.

"But their father is very tired Dominick grumbled, pulling her back.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind. Her body was soft, perhaps due to her pregnancy, with a faint baby powder scent. Dominick's lips. brushed against the nape of her neck as he spoke in a low voice. "Stephanie, if my fever goes above 102.2 degrees in an hour, fll get an IV. Deal!" She hesitated for half a minute before agreeing. "Alright In truth, Dominick merely wanted to hold her like a pillow, a hubit be fuil unknowingly developer. Stephanie squinted her eyes and stole a glance at him.

"What are you looking at He wasn't asleep, just exhausted.

Chapter 132 Feeling embarrassed, she quickly turned away, pretending to be serious. "Wondering if your fever is so high you might pass nut." "I won't" His tone was that.

Judging by his voice, he seemed normal enough. Stephanie shifted again, facing him.

Their faces were only inches apart. She scrutinized him with furrowed brows. "Dominick." "What?" This time, his response was quick, almost as if he was hiding something.

Stephanie didn't notice, continuing her questioning. "Earlier, you had a headache. She paused Before changing the subject abruptly. "Dominick, can you promisesomething" Her voice raised. His stern face showed a flicker of emotion, his eyes reflecting suppressed feelings as he looked at her earnest gaze "What is it?" His voice was hoarse She looked him straight in the eyes, her own narrowing slightly. "When I call you, you have to answer me."

She remembered the car accident schen he had been unconscious. She had called his nrepeatedly, but nhe never responded. The surrounding silence was suffocating, filled only with the scent of blood. Although the accident was in the past, a lingering unease haunted her.

Her lips tightened as she spoke each word deliberately. "Dominick, in the future, no matter how no matter white Ongut fakes, no matter what happens, if I call your nome, if I call you three times, you must answer me." "You can't leave me, she didn't say the rest CONVINT X