Chapter 41
The car was silent, neither of them speaking.
Dominick gazed into her eyes, seeing the humility there. There was something he had long wanted to tell her…
Just then, the piercing sound of a cellphone ringtone broke the silence.
The phone was relentless, ringing as if something urgent was coming.
Stephanie looked at Dominick skeptically as he answered the phone impatiently. His stern face froze for a moment as if something serious had happened on the other end.
“Mr. Wellington, I’m sorry for the interruption, but there’s been an incident with Ms. Carter. She felt unwell today during her new show’s debut but insisted on going ahead. While taking photos by the lake, she accidentally fell in…”
The voice on the phone belonged to Jessica’s manager, who spoke rapidly and with a tremor in her voice, loud enough for Stephanie to hear.
Jessica fell into the lake?‘ Stephanie was somewhat surprised.
“How is she now?” Dominick asked calmly.
“The rescue was timely, and her life isn’t in danger, but she’s still unconscious,” the manager replied hastily, pausing slightly before continuing, “Mr. Wellington, could you please come over…
“Ms. Carter has been unconscious yet calling your name the whole time. She’ll wake up soon and will need to be medicated. Given her temperament, we fear we won’t be able to persuade her…”
The implication was clear. They wanted Dominick to come and convince Jessica to cooperate, a typical demand for a star of her caliber.
Meanwhile, Stephanie stole a discreet glance at the man beside her. Dominick, usually so reserved, actually showed such tenderness towards Jessica.
Watching him hang up the phone thoughtfully, she quickly spoke up. “You can drop me off here.”
Hearing this, Dominick looked over at her and frowned.
Stephanie’s expression turned awkward. “Ms. Carter is sick, and you need to go to her. I won’t get in your way. Just let me out here, and I’ll get a ride back to Wellington Villa.”
She was tactful and knew she couldn’t compare to Jessica. Plus, she didn’t want to hear about the affairs between them. It made her feel like an outsider and was quite uncomfortable for her.
Dominick slowly pulled the car over and turned to face her, getting close to her all of a sudden.
His deep eyes intensely fixed on her, and he asked in a low voice, “Do you want me to leave?” His voice was laden with an indescribable emotion,
64%
Chapter 41
Feeling oppressed under his gaze, Stephanie forced a smile. “Dominick, I know our relationship is just a deal. I won’t entertain any fantasies, nor will I interfere in your affair with Ms. Carter….
“I’m truly grateful to your family for helping my aunt with her heart condition. I’ll definitely have the baby, and after the baby is born, I’ll leave.”
“Get out!” Dominick cut her off, his voice booming with anger before she could finish.
Stephanie was taken aback, only to see him staring down at her with a cold, menacing stare that sent chills down her spine.
“Get out of the car now! Did you hear me?”
His rising fury was evident as he glared at her bewildered expression.
Stunned, Stephanie hastily exited the vehicle. As soon as she closed the door, Dominick accelerated abruptly, leaving her in a cloud of dust.
She stood there, dumbfounded, watching his car disappear into the distance. Her face clouded over. “Why did he have to be so
harsh all of a sudden?”
She remained on the sidewalk, gazing down at her toes. Her mood soured as she remembered how, just ten minutes earlier, Dominick had kindly asked her where she wanted to go for lunch. Now, they had abruptly parted ways.
“I don’t want you to go, but what right do I have to say that…” The words she needed to make him stay were stuck in her throat.
Shortly after that, the Wellington family’s chauffeur arrived to take her back.
Stephanie returned to Wellington Villa and was visibly downcast. The chef prepared her a large bowl of bland, tasteless nutritional meals, which she ate without her usual complaints.
George noticed her gloomy mood as he approached while she mechanically ate her meal. “What’s wrong?” he asked in a deep
voice.
“Where’s Dominick? Wasn’t he supposed to go to class with you?”
“Yes, we went together, but then he…” Stephanie started, pausing for a moment. “Then he got a call, something urgent at the company, so he had to leave early.”
She covered for him.
George was not particularly fond of Jessica, so she dared not say more, fearing George might blame Dominick.
Sometime recently, Stephanie found herself unerting to care about him.
George didn’t dwell on it, instead focusing on her belly with concern. “How have you been feeling lately?”
“The baby is doing very well,” she replied.
Pleased with the news, George offered some advice. “If you have some time in the evening, try to read more about fetal health. And don’t eat crab in the middle of the night, This is common sense, dear.”
11:28 Fri, 21 Jun
Chapter 41
“Oh.” Stephanie nodded, her voice a soft murmur.
As she looked up at the clock on the wall, she guessed that Dominick probably wouldn’t be coming home tonight.
After all, Jessica had fallen ill after a mishap in the water, and he was off to keep the beauty company.
Somehow, the thought soured her mood.
“Jessica is now resting in the villa…” As soon as Dominick drove up, Vincent hurried over to update him.
His voice was soft and low, soothing yet distant as if part of him was speaking to someone else. “Mr. Wellington, Jessica has wanted to marry you for three years. Since the incident on the river where she nearly died, her health has been much weaker than before,” the manager sighed from the side.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Crossroads Confessions by Deirdre Augus