Crossroads

When they landed in Serenburg, Stephanie didn't head straight to the hospital because Vincent disagreed.

"You look like hell," he said, eyeing her up and down. "I'm not dragging you in front of Dominick's entire family looking like that. Go clean.

klike yourself up at the hotel, and I'll pick you up later."

Stephanie watched him get into the car and drive off without a backward glance. Serenburg was unfamiliar to her, especially in the crowded, bustling airport exit. She felt a pang of loneliness washing over her.

"Ms. Reed?" the driver beside her called out in Eldranian.

Stephanie snapped back to reality and followed him to the hotel.

The ten-hour flight from Havencrest had taken its toll, and she hadn't slept well these past few days. When she got to the hotel suite, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and winced. She looked absolutely exhausted.

"He'll be alright..." Stephanie pressed a damp towel against her face, the coolness jolting her slightly awake. Still, she was concerned about him Dominick had George, Vincent, Scott, and a whole host of capable family and friends at his side. Surely, nothing truly terrible could happen to him Somehow, a wave of worry, guilt, and even a hint of self-doubt washed over her.

She let out a long sigh and suddenly felt unnecessary to come to this unfamiliar place.

Vivian had a simple meal at the hotel and lay on the bed, thinking she'd nap for a bit. When Vincent arrived, she'd immediately head to the private hospital to visit Dominick.

However, she ended up sleeping for most of the day. Carrying twins was exhausting, and she often felt sleepy.

"Stephanie, you really can sleep."

Vincent arrived, grumbling at her with a hint of annoyance, "You were so eager to come, but you're not a doctor. What good can you do here? Sleeping in a hotel is no better than staying put at Wellington Villa..."

The sound of the door startled Stephanie, and she scrambled to her feet.

"I'm sorry, I'll get ready right away..." It was the first time she had spoken to him with such urgency and apology in her voice.

Vincent stood outside the room, watching her anxiously and hastily tidy up her clothes and appearance.

He noticed that Stephanie seemed very nervous, which was unlike her usual sell. Normally, she would have fired back at him without hesitation.

"Dominick's mother and sister are at the hospital too... Go and see them. Don't be nervous, they're very easy to get along with."

"Sure." Stephanie nodded at him.Copyright by Nôv/elDrama.Org.

Dominick had never mentioned his mother and sister to Stephanie. She didn't know why, but perhaps he felt it was unnecessary.

The car ride to the hospital with Vincent was quiet.

Stephanie couldn't deny her nervousness. She felt like a bride meeting her husband's family for the first time.

"What kind of person is Dominick's mother?' she wondered, gazing out the window.

The hospital in Serenburg seemed to have a special area reserved for the Wellingtons.

Unlike the bustling hospitals back home, this one was a five-story white villa, spacious and bright. Medical staff transported supplies in an orderly fashion. The landscaping was immaculate, and sunlight poured in. It felt more like a resort than a hospital.

"Dominick is on the fifth floor," Vincent informed her before heading to an office on the far left side of the first floor. "I'll find a doctor and ask some questions. You go up first."

"Okay." Stephanie quickly stepped towards the elevator.

Vincent, however, felt uneasy and turned to shout, "Stephanie, don't run off. Remember, you promised not to cause any trouble!"

He recalled a time when he took her to Flaming Bar, and she got lost, causing him to get a scolding from Dominick.

She stopped at the elevator door and looked back at him, responding obediently, "I know."

Her sudden compliance made Vincent uncomfortable. They were all on edge after Dominick's incident, and he wondered if he'd been too harsh with her earlier.

Suddenly, Vincent's eyes widened as he remembered something else he needed to tell her, but Stephanie had already entered the elevator.

"Crap!" Vincent glanced at the closed elevator and immediately turned towards the stairs.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where Dominick's room is?" Stephanie asked as she hurried onto the fifth floor. The place was eerily quiet, most of the rooms empty except for equipment, giving it a cold feel.

A nurse appeared, and after confirming Stephanie's authorization, the nurse guided her down the right side of the corridor.

"How is he?" Stephanie couldn't help asking anxiously before they even reached the room.

"Mr. Wellington's still in a coma. His intracranial pressure spiked this morning, and he's still running a fever..."

Stephanie's Eldranian was excellent, and she understood even the medical terms. Dominick was in worse shape than Vincent had told her. She kept her head down, her face growing paler with each step.

"Ms. Reed, I'm going to need to see some ID before I can let you through," the nurse said, gesturing towards a room down the hall flanked by four burly guards.

"Thank you."

The heavy metal door at the end of the hall stood slightly ajar. The door looked specially crafted and very heavy, suggesting the equipment inside was also extraordinary.

It was clear that getting inside wouldn't be easy.

She slowly approached, and her heart pounded in her chest.

Her eyes were fixed on the narrow gap of the hall open door. She couldn't see clearly inside bufcould ve vaguely make out a tall woman's figure dressed in an elegant white suit with a large, luxurious pearl necklace around her neck.

"Who are you?" One of the bodyguards outside the door coldly stopped her,

Stephanie stood a few feet away, her eyes burning with intensity as she peered into the rooix. Through the doorway, she could just make out the blinking lights of various medical monitors.

"You need to leave now!" The bodyguard didn't know her and ordered her to go.

"14 am..." Stephanie stammered, her nerves getting the better of her, but soon, she took a deep breath and declared, "I'm his wife."

The guards exchanged a look. One of them slipped into the room and whispered, "Ma'am, there's a woman outside claiming to be Mr. Wellington's wife..."

Given that it was Dominick's hospital room, they had to be cautious.

However, inside the room, when the middle-aged elegant woman heard them, her expression changed dramatically. She quickly stepped out, her high heels clicking on the floor.

Stephanie heard the sharp click-clack of heels, which sounded abrupt in the otherwise quiet hallway. She looked up to see a figure rushing towards her. While she was still worried something might have happened inside the room, the woman suddenly slapped hard across her face before she could even react.

"Smack!" The force of the slap was fierce and loud. Chapter 113