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.

then, her phone, which was in her

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

much on it, she

end of the line was silent for a long while

body

It’s… Alfred.

his call, especially since their breakup was

but she could not think of

asked softly, “Your brother said you hadn’t been home in

a lump

“Mr. Lodge, why are you

carried a hint of tenderness, like how he used to coax

eyes. “I’m

Silence ensued.

pause, Alfred softly continued, “I’m in

Melora flew into a rage.

appetite for? Or am I just one of your flings? Do you see me as someone you should hide away?”

his voice

just meeting up for

Melora restrained herself

she hung up the

in the night, she cried o

Lodge, I’m not

all by herself for a long

at the hospital

her, he was Mr.

then, she feared he might blame her brother, so she constantly stuck by him, doing her best to

he started

in his cramped office. One night, as she woke up, she discovered him tucking a blanket over her. His

that, they kissed.

was a mature man. He never had

control of the situation, but he did not take her.

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

did not come looking for

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

him, worried.

intoxicated Alfred was a being

but kiss him.

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

attracted her.

they would only share a night with each

he kept going to Barnwood on business trips.

renovations. He made it a point to be there regularly, visiting her whenever he was on

house, they were intimate with

to

was as if she had been bewitched. She knew that she should not fall for him, but he had been so irresistible. He never talked to her about

was then she realized that they

legal ties

was the moments of sweet intimacy

publicize his relationship

sat in his car.

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

but he could not help himself and specifically made

invitation and

the door to

looked the same, except for the absence of one

such a sense of loss and an intense longing

spent the entire night on the

memories of their past passion, and he cherished the moments she nestled in his arms,

he encountered such an innocent girl in his

was

long lost his sincerity, but in his early forties, he found himself entangled in a love game with a young woman. He

world was

she was too vulnerable, requiring his