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.

her phone, which was

up the call. It was a call from an unfamiliar number.

dwelling much on it, she said,

other end of the line was silent for a long while before they hoarsely uttered, “It’s

body froze.

It’s… Alfred.

their breakup was unpleasant. If anything. she had left the relationship in

but she could not think of what to say.

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

lump in

took her a long while to hold back her feelings enough to squeeze out, “Mr. Lodge, why are you calling? We made it

carried a hint of tenderness, like how he used to coax her. “Your brother said you were not. doing well.”

closed her eyes.

Silence ensued.

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

Melora flew

regained the appetite

breath hitched, but his voice remained gentle.

we’re just meeting up

Melora restrained herself

she hung up the call.

the night,

I’m

balcony all by herself for a

hospital or catching him smoking all by himself late at night. Perhaps it could have

he was Mr.

her brother, so she constantly

time rolled by, he started letting her

she would sometimes doze off on the couch in his cramped office. One night, as she woke up,

they

her-he was a mature man. He never had any trouble winning over a woman’s heart.

of the situation, but he did not

learned that men could be that skillful. For days after that night,

looking for

sent off and Alfred had

him, worried.

intoxicated Alfred was a being of

kiss him. Then… they did it.

indulged in worldly desires below him. At that time, she did not even know how much she

attracted her.

would only share a night with each

that, he kept going to Barnwood

it into a delightful haven through thoughtful renovations. He made it a

they were intimate with each other.

make food for her to eat

had been so irresistible. He never talked to

realized that they could never

ties to each other.

her was the moments of sweet intimacy

never wanted to publicize his relationship

in

and it was from there that he

help himself and specifically

invitation and

Alfred went upstairs and opened the door to the

looked the same, except for

his shrewdness all his life, seldom experienced such a sense of loss and an

the entire night on

he cherished the moments she nestled in his

such an

else was manipulative

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

was treacherous.

vulnerable, requiring his