Cross Roads

Chapter 260 Stephanie never imagined that the first person that found her would be him.

She remained huddled in the cramped U-shaped tunnel of the children's slick, lifting her head slightly. The dim streetlights outside cast a hazy. dreamlike glow as she gazed at the man who suddenly appeared before her. It was Dominick.

When the saw his familiar, stern face, her eyes welled up with tears.

She had so much to say, but the words caught in her throat. She stared at him, afraid he would vanish like a mirage, just like in her dreams, if she called out.

"How long do you plan to hide in there!” Dominick called out impatiently.

Seeing her still motionless, he furrowed his brows in irritation. "Get out! His deep, magnetic voice was cold and commanding. Yet, she didn't move. Finally, Dominick's face darkened. He bent his tall frame, reached in, and, without a hint of gentleness, grabbed her wrist and yanked her out.

Stephanie was caught off guard. Before she knew it, she was pulled forward, her head banging against the slide's inner wall several times.

Dominick released her as soon as she was out, looking down at her disheveled hair and her pathetic, half- kneeling posture.

"If you want to trade your suffering for sympathy, you'd better make sure you have the worth and ability: Otherwise, you'll just look foolish His eyes were sharp. his words cold and scomful.

To him, she was worthless now.

Stephanie seemed not to hear him. She supported herself on the dirty, andy ground, her head bowed, her pale face hidden by her long hair.

Slowly, the started to get up, leaning on the broken side of the slide. But her legs were numb from staying curled up in the tunnel for too long, and her ankle throbbed with a dull pain.

Just as she stood up, her right foot twisted, and she thought she would fall again.

Dominick stepped forward and caught her.

"You sprained your ankle, and you won't tell me? Have you lost your voice! He was inexplicably annoyed, his grip on her shoulder firm. She was thin, almost skeletal Those words echoed in her mind, a painful brand etched deep within.

Stephanie kept her head down, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't cry easily, so why did she always feel so helpless around him! Seeing her still silent, Dominick's face darkened. "Are you being stubborn or just trying to squeeze more alimony out of the divorce? His words were merciless, dripping with sarCASİTL In the past. Stephanie would have retorted immediately, saying she didn't care about his alimony.

But now, she remained silent. She didn't want a divorce.

She didn't want to discuss anything related to it. He had once promised they wouldn't get divorced. He forgot The early winter night was bone-chilling. Especially in this desolate place, there wasn't a sound to be heard, and the flickering, broken streetlight only added to the bleakness.

Dominick had lost all patience. Without another word, he scooped her up and strode towards his black Ferrari parked by the roadside.

The moment he picked her up, Stephanie instinctively tried to struggle free, but her efforts only intensified his expression as he tightened his grip. His frustration was evident in the way he held her.

He showed her into the passenger seat and slammed the door with a force that startled her into stillness Then he walked to the driver's side, got in, and started the car. With a press of the accelerator, they sped away from that miserable place, "You really know how to pick a spot to hide," he mustered darkly, his long fingers gripping the steering wheel as he quickly merged onto the highway back to the city.

Stephanie's reaction was slow. She was surprised to see he hadn't brought a driver, opting to drive himself instead.

Lost in thoughts, she recognized the familiar white buildings ahead, panicked, and raised her voice. "I don't want to go to the hospital. Letout! I don't want to go to the hospital" she shouted.

She hated hospital. The smell of disinfectant, the wailing sirens of ambulances. Terrifying memories flooded back. Dark red blood, the enclosed 10:37 AM cd.

Chapter 260 operating room. These images overwhelmed her mind. She struggled and murmured repeatedly, "I don't want to go to the hospital, I don't want to go...

Dominick ignored her, parking directly in front of the emergency room. He got out, marched to the other side, marched to yanked her out of the car, and dragged her into the emergency room with impatient, rough movements, ments sitting The emergency room was staffed 24/7, the air thick with the scent of medical disinfectants, the harsh ceiling lights glaring, and weak patients in the corridor chairs.

Stephanie was terrified. She used her free hand to pry his fingers away her face pale, her voice trembling. "I don't F want to be there, I don't want to be there..."

Doctors, nurses, and patients all turned to look at her. Dominick's face was a mask of anger. He scooped N her up and placed her on an empty bed. Leaning down, he used his body to pin her down. "Is this the only way you'll stop making a scene?" His eyes were sharp, his voice filled with frustration. Stephanie froze, stunned by his actions, His strong, masculine body pressed against hers, so close she could feel the powerful rhythm of his heartbeat.

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