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 room,

the call. It was

much on it,

on the other end of the line was silent for a long

whole body froze.

It’s… Alfred.

especially since their breakup was unpleasant.

could not think of what

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

a lump

to hold back her feelings enough to squeeze out, “Mr. Lodge, why are

carried a hint of tenderness, like how he used to coax her. “Your

eyes.

Silence ensued.

softly continued, “I’m in Barnwood. Can we

that, Melora flew into a rage.

have regained the appetite for? Or am I just one of your

but his voice

just meeting up for a

Melora restrained herself

she hung up the call.

night, she

I’m not

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 could have been the loneliness she saw

her, he was

blame her brother, so she constantly stuck by him, doing her best to keep him content.

time rolled by, he started letting

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

that, they kissed.

He never

of the situation, but he did not take

first time in her life, Melora learned that men could be that

come looking

was only that night when Skyler was getting sent off and Alfred had gotten drunk did she go

him, worried.

a being of

kiss him. Then… they did

kept calling him “Mr. Alfred” again and again as she indulged in worldly desires below him. At that time, she did not even know how much she liked him, only that everything

him attracted

only share a night with

he kept going to Barnwood on business trips.

a beautiful condominium unit and transformed it into a delightful haven through thoughtful renovations. He made it a point

that house, they were intimate

would make food for her to

fall for him, but he had been so irresistible. He never

that they could never

ties

the only thing he could give her was the moments

wanted to publicize his

in

it was from

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

declined his invitation and refused to

the door to

for the absence of one person.

experienced such a sense of loss

night on the

cherished the moments she nestled in his arms, calling him “Mr. Alfred” with

had he encountered such an innocent girl

him, everyone else was manipulative and cunning.

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

was treacherous.

too vulnerable, requiring his undivided attention and protection.