Crystal's One Night of Love

At nine at night, Crystal finally returned to the villa.

The warm yellow light spilled from the hall, casting a cozy ambiance in the dim foyer.

Skyler sat playing the piano with Henry by her side.

He wore a classic three-piece suit, and when the jacket was taken off, his well-proportioned figure would be revealed. Upon seeing Crystal, he gently swirled his wine glass and inquired, “How was your outing?”

Crystal set down her bag and sat on the couch, gently massaging her sore legs.

At that, Skyler wanted to run over to her mother.

She had initially learned to play the piano to find her mother, but now, it no longer mattered.

However, Henry put his hand on her chestnut-colored hair and solemnly said, “Play this piece five more times.”

Skyler turned speechless.

Daddy, you’re so mean! You weren’t like this when you wanted me to help you court Mommy!

Hence, Skyler continued playing the piano at a much faster rate than usual.

Crystal was both amused and exasperated. She said to Henry, “She’s only around five years old. Why do you need to pressure her like this?”

Henry crouched down before her and massaged her feet. His voice was low and gentle as he said, “She’s talented, Crystal. I’ve always wanted to apologize to you, but no matter how many apologies I make, your feet can never go back to how they were. So I want Skyler to have another option.”

Crystal was silent as she stared at him.

She rarely looked at him like this. In the past, she had always avoided developing any romantic feelings. for him again..

After a long time, she whispered, “Even though that’s the case, don’t push her too hard. I want Skyler to live freely, and besides, with you around, she’ll be fine in the future.”

Henry smiled faintly. “It’s rare to have some merits in Miss Winters’ heart.”

They then changed the topic and discussed Melora for a while.

Henry seemed to have thought about it a lot during the day. He held her fair foot and murmured, “I won’t force you to do anything because of Melora’s situation. They are them, and we are us.”

Crystal looked at him, who was illuminated by the lamp.

Her gaze held a touch of tenderness, genuine and unfeigned, as she looked at Henry.

Henry’s heart skipped a beat.

His voice was husky as he asked, “Do you have any affection for me now?”

Crystal reached out to gently touch his attractive face. “Perhaps I do have a bit of affection for you.” A soft chuckle escaped Henry’s lips.

But before their emotions could fully envelop them, Skyler was done playing the piece five times and rushed over to her father, seeking a foot rub.

Henry, ever indulgent, embraced his daughter, attending to both her feet and her hands.

Skyler’s jealousy subsided, replaced by a sense of bashfulness, as she nestled in her father’s arms.

Crystal affectionately touched the little girl’s head and remarked, “She really adores you.”

With a playful tap on Crystal’s nose, Henry teased, “Even though you’re an adult, you still get jealous because of a child.”

That night, Crystal slept with Skyler as usual.

Henry stopped urging her to move to the master bedroom, and neither did he ask her to sleep with him. She had not pushed him away despite what he did during the day in the walk-in closet, so that meant she was not as hostile toward him anymore.

He was in no rush.

This time, he was going to take it slow with her.

He was resolute in pursuing a genuine and proper romantic relationship with her.

Meanwhile, Melora was standing on the balcony.

Julia was taking care of Berthold, so perhaps that night was the most untroubled night she had for years. She should be happy, but after everything she had gone through, she could no longer be the carefree Melora she once was.

was in her

up the call.

much on it, she said,

other end of the line was silent for

whole body froze.

It’s… Alfred.

she would receive his call, especially since their breakup was

she could not

calmer as he asked softly, “Your brother said you hadn’t been home in two years. Is that true?”

a lump in her throat.

back her feelings enough to squeeze out, “Mr. Lodge, why are you calling? We made it clear that we wanted

to coax her. “Your brother said you

her eyes.

Silence ensued.

pause, Alfred softly continued, “I’m in Barnwood. Can we meet at the

that, Melora flew into a

wonderful meal that you were once sick of but have regained the appetite for? Or am I just one

breath hitched, but his

we’re just meeting up

Melora restrained herself

up

the night, she cried o

I’m not

herself for a

hospital or catching him

was Mr.

she constantly stuck by him, doing her

rolled by, he started letting

sometimes doze off on the couch in his cramped office. One night, as she woke up, she discovered him tucking a blanket

that, they kissed.

was a mature man. He never had

of the situation, but he did not take

Melora learned that men could be that skillful. For days

come looking for her

sent off and Alfred had gotten drunk did she go looking for

him, worried.

Alfred was a being

could not help but kiss him. Then… they

calling him “Mr. Alfred” again and again as she indulged in worldly desires below

attracted her.

would only share a night

kept going to Barnwood on business trips.

invested in a beautiful condominium unit and transformed it into a delightful haven through thoughtful renovations. He made it a point to be there regularly,

that house, they were intimate with each

would make food for her to eat

had been so irresistible.

she realized that they could

had no legal ties to each

only thing he could give her was the moments of sweet intimacy in that condominium.

publicize his relationship with

in his

parked downstairs at the condominium, and it was from there

could not help himself and specifically made this trip while keeping it

his invitation and refused to

opened the door to the condominium, which had

the same, except for the absence of one

experienced such a sense of loss and an intense longing to see someone.

entire night on the

cherished the moments

encountered such an innocent girl in his

was

he found himself entangled in a love game with a young woman. He cared for her deeply, but he could not

world was

requiring his undivided