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.

which was in her room, rang.

back inside to pick up the call. It was a call from an unfamiliar number.

it,

person on the other end of the line was silent for a long while before they hoarsely uttered,

body

It’s… Alfred.

was unpleasant. If anything. she had left the relationship in despair and

could not

brother said you

a lump in

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

to coax her. “Your brother said you were not.

her eyes.

Silence ensued.

pause, Alfred softly continued, “I’m in

that, Melora flew into a rage.

sick of but have regained the appetite for? Or am I just one of your flings? Do you see me as someone you should hide

his voice remained

up for

Melora restrained herself

she hung up

night, she

Lodge, I’m not

balcony all by herself for

put a finger on when exactly she started liking Alfred. Maybe it was when she spotted him. working at the hospital or catching him smoking all by himself late at night. Perhaps it

her, he was Mr. Alfred.

feared he might blame her brother, so she constantly stuck by

he started

oil, and whenever exhaustion caught up to her, she would sometimes doze off on the couch in his cramped office. One night, as she woke up, she discovered him tucking a blanket over her. His face glowed beautifully under the

that, they

than her-he was a mature man. He never had any trouble winning over a

he had taken control of the situation, but he

in her life, Melora learned that men could be that

not come looking for her

was getting sent off and Alfred had gotten drunk did she

him, worried.

intoxicated Alfred was a being of

kiss him. Then…

narrow couch, she kept calling him “Mr. Alfred” again and again as she indulged in worldly desires

him attracted

only share

kept going to

haven through thoughtful renovations. He made it a point to be there regularly, visiting her whenever

house, they were

would make food for her to eat before

not fall for him, but he had been so irresistible. He never talked

that

legal ties to each other.

only thing he could give her was the moments of

to publicize his relationship with her.

in his

was parked downstairs at the condominium, and it was from there that he made the

help himself and

declined his invitation and refused to come.

door to the condominium,

except for

all his life, seldom experienced such a sense

the entire night on the couch.

he cherished the moments

encountered such an innocent girl in his

everyone else was manipulative and cunning.

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

was

was too vulnerable, requiring his undivided attention and