Chapter 203
“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Ever since she returned from Molly’s place, Stephanie had become very withdrawn.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.
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