Crossroads

Chapter 40 

“In the early stages of pregnancy, some foods should be avoided, such as venison, celery, fried fish, morel mushrooms… These foods can cause contractions or miscarriage, so be careful. Also, some supplements, including vitamin supplements and protein powder, should not be used without a doctor’s consent…” 

Today was Sunday, and George asked Dominick and Stephanie to attend the expectant parents‘ class. When they heard that fried fish was off the menu, both of them had sad expressions. 

“Remember all of this!” Dominick instructed Stephanie beside him in a deep voice. 

Stephanie remembered the last time she indulged herself. “But it was you who cooked the fried fish for me that day,” she complained, implying that Dominick was also at fault. 

He was surprised that she dared to talk back, and Dominick’s face turned dark. 

“During the first three months of pregnancy, continue to supplement with folic acid. If you need to take vitamins, you can take prenatal vitamins or milk powder under the doctor’s advice, but don’t take both at the same time to avoid excessive vitamins, which may not be good for the baby…” 

The lecturer on stage continued to explain to the group of expectant parents. Stephanie sat up straight, sitting properly, and even turned on her phone’s recording to make notes while listening. 

Dominick glanced at her serious demeanor and remembered his previous scolding about her not caring enough about the child in her belly, feeling somewhat pensive. 

Meanwhile, the lecturer continued, “Expectant mothers should avoid bathing in water that is too hot during pregnancy. The temperature should be below 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best to take a shower. Also, try not to lift heavy objects, and don’t sit up suddenly when getting out of bed…” 

Dominick’s stern face showed little emotion, but he remembered all these things. 

Suddenly, one of the women burst into tears. “I don’t want this child anymore…” 

Stephanie and the others immediately turned to look at her, exchanging gossipy glances, all staring at her husband. 

“Dominick, do you think that man is cheating?” Stephanie guessed in a low voice, full of gossip. 

Dominick ignored her. The woman who was crying turned pale, even her lips extremely pale, looking very weak. The next moment, she bent over as if to vomit. 

“Darling, how are you feeling?” her husband asked, looking distressed. 

“Get away from me!” she snapped, crying one moment and then raging the next. 

“I’m nine weeks pregnant, and I throw up whatever I eat, and now I have to hold cucumber slices every day. Even the smell makes me sick, and I vomit until my stomach burns and hurts…” 

The people around her tried to persuade her, “Morning sickness is normal.” 

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Chapter 40 

She cried with a look of grievance. “But I’ve lost 10 pounds since I got pregnant. Everyone is looking forward to the baby’s birth, but I’m suffering every day. I even vomit blood, but they say I’m not tough…” 

After hearing her complaints, Stephanie remembered that she was also about nine weeks pregnant. 

Dominick touched her head, and Stephanie looked up at him. He looked serious, glancing at her thoughtfully. 

In a low voice, he said, “Luckily, you can endure all this.” Compared to others, Stephanie was not so del 

Stephanie felt frustrated when he said she could endure everything, showing a helpless expression, 

“I want to drink, to get drunk. I don’t want to be pregnant and don’t want to have a baby…” The crying pregnant woman was finally helped out. 

Dominick looked at her painful appearance and looked down at Stephanie, who was lively beside him. He put his arm around her waist, his palm against her flat belly. “Stephanie, let’s just have this one child.” 

He pulled her into his arms, and Stephanie leaned against his chest, his voice low and gentle as if comforting her. At this moment, Stephanie felt very uncomfortable, her checks reddened instantly. 

“Then, how many more kids do you want to have? Of course, just this one.” 

Stephanie felt this pregnancy was originally just an accident. Even if he did have another child, it would probably be with Jessica. 

After that, the lecturer also talked to them about morning sickness, leg cramps, swelling, and other common pregnancy symptoms. 

When the lecturer showed them some childbirth photos, Stephanie’s eyes widened. That bloody cesarean section was quite scary. 

Stephanie only then realized that childbirth involved cutting the belly! 

However, Dominick’s reaction was even stronger. Dominick stared fiercely at the cesarean section photo, then turned to gaze at Stephanie for a long…. 

Stephanie even began to suspect that Dominick might be overly shocked. 

She heard that men often faint in the delivery room. She wondered if Dominick would faint too. 

“In fact, aside from the early and late stages of pregnancy, moderate intimacy during the middle period is also beneficial for physical and mental health…” the lecturer joked as she finished, teasing the expectant parents below. 

Finally, their class ended. Stephanie pulled Dominick to the corner sneakily. “Dominick, I need to tell you something…” 

Dominick looked at her, her cheeks slightly flushed. He wasn’t sure if it was because of her pregnancy, but he felt her skin had become even smoother lately. He looked at her rosy lips, feeling an urge inside him. 

His voice was hoarse as he spoke. “After the first three months, moderate intimacy is beneficial for physical and mental health. Stephanie. Let’s give it a try…” 

“What!” 

Chapter 40 

Stephanie, hearing him say this, became angry and embarrassed. She realized men were creatures driven by desire. 

“Those women just now were all eyeing you.” 

Dominick sighed at her words, not too bothered. After all, he was used to it. 

Stephanie, however, seemed a bit excited. She leaned closer to him, smiling cunningly, “Dominick, they were all saying how handsome you are when I was in the restroom just now. Some even asked if we’re celebrities…” 

She looked proud, her smile mischievous. “Dominick, our child will definitely be very handsome. Of course, mainly because of me. With a mother as beautiful as me, it’s hard for the child to be ugly…” 

Dominick looked at her and chuckled lightly, pinching her nose. “Are you proud of yourself?” 

“Both of you are so good–looking. The baby will be beautiful no matter who they take after.” A strange voice came from their right. side. It was the lecturer from earlier. 

Stephanie looked up, realizing that a group of people beside the glass door had heard their entire conversation. 

She felt so embarrassed! 

Flushed, she immediately buried her head into Dominick’s chest. “Why didn’t you tell me there were people here…” she complained. 

Dominick didn’t explain, but seeing her shy demeanor, he seemed to be amused by her. He gently stroked her long hair, laughing 

even more. 

Even Stephanie felt his chest heaved with laughter while the women there couldn’t help but stare, finding him truly charming. 

Stephanie thought she was embarrassed, but he seemed so happy. Stephanie felt a bit sulky, but… 

She sneakily looked up at him. Dominick seemed genuinely happy. The first time she had seen him smile so heartily. 

Looking at him, different from his usual icy demeanor, Stephanie felt a bit dazed. She thought he was really handsome… 

“What are you looking at?” Dominick noticed her absent–minded expression, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and asking softly. “Hungry?” 

“Not hungry,” she replied awkwardly and looked down. 

When he held her shoulder as they walked, she felt somewhat unaccustomed yet suddenly felt it was quite nice to rely on Dominick 

like this. 

Dominick, a member of the Wellington family, exuded an innate aristocratic demeanor that made him seem aloof. Yet, she felt his stoic demeanor always made her feel safe as if she had nothing to fear when she was with him. 

Dominick seemed to be in a good mood. “Stephanie, didn’t you say you have a big appetite?” 

He noticed her cheeks turning slightly red and chuckled softly, surprised that Stephanie could also be shy. 

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Chapter 40 

“What do you want for lunch today?” 

As they settled into the car, Dominick hadn’t called the driver that day. He was driving himself, asking while turning the steering 

wheel. 

For some reason, at that moment, Stephanie had a fleeting feeling that they were just like any other ordinary couple. 

She couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if they were like any other ordinary couple… But then she immediately dismissed the thought. She knew he had only married her because she was unexpectedly pregnant. 

“I’m not picky,” she replied casually. 

“Stephanie, don’t act like you’re not picky,” Dominick said, glancing at Stephanie in the passenger seat. He sensed she might be 

upset. 

“Except for the foods you can’t eat during pregnancy, you can indulge today. I won’t tell Grandpa. You will have to eat bland and nutritious meals when we return to Wellington Villa.” 

Dominick turned the steering wheel, heading towards a famous luxury hotel at Havencrest. 

Stephanie glanced at the navigation screen inside the car. It was her favorite hotel. She turned, gazing at Dominick’s stern profile, pondering why he was being so kind to her. 

“Stephanie, don’t give me those flirty looks,” Dominick said irritably, glancing at her. 

Stephanie’s expression turned awkward, and she turned to look out of the car window. 

For a while, the car fell into silence, with neither of them speaking as it smoothly moved along. 

Dominick was not one for small talk. Occasionally, he glanced at Stephanie beside him, noticing her silence. She was usually so lively. He wondered what she was thinking about now. 

He wasn’t like Vincent. He seldom communicated with women, let alone understood their thoughts. 

“Do you want to visit Diana?” Dominick suddenly asked in a deep voice. 

Stephanie perked up at his words. “Dominick, do you really agree to let me visit Diana?” 

Dominick remained impassive as he glanced at her excited profile. He knew Diana was the person she cared about and worried about the most, especially given her ill health. 

He added casually, “We’ve found three suitable heart donors recently. There’s a chance Diana’s heart condition can be cured, so there’s no need to worry. 

Stephanie froze for a moment. Then she excitedly grabbed his arm. “Really? Diana can really be cured?” 

Dominick simply nodded, noticing her eyes becoming slightly red with tears. 

She was truly grateful to him and the Wellington family. 

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Chapter 40 

Diana was her closest person. The doctors had said if they couldn’t find a suitable heart donor, Diana wouldn’t live past three years. She had been worried and afraid of losing her loved ones. 

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Stephanie took a deep breath, her gaze firm as she made a promise to him. “Dominick, I promise you, I won’t dare to eat recklessly anymore. I’ll pay utmost attention to the baby’s health and make sure nothing happens to the child…” 

She knew her only value in the Wellington family was to bear a healthy heir for him. She wasn’t a sentimental person. She didn’t mind being used as long as her loved ones were safe. She was willing to do anything for it. 

But in doing so, she felt like everything had turned into a deal… 

Yet she had come to terms with it. Between him and her, it had always been just a deal from the beginning. 

She knew she was just a tool for him to have children… 

Yet, Dominick became upset when he heard her words. 

He fell into silence, his gaze fixed on her, noticing a hint of sadness in her eyes. He felt the urge to say something…. 

11:28 Fri, 21 Jun –