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

the call. It was a

on it, she said,

end of the line was silent for a long while before they

whole body froze.

It’s… Alfred.

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

lips moved slightly, but she could not think

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

a lump in her throat.

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

tenderness, like how he used to coax her. “Your brother said you were not.

her eyes. “I’m doing

Silence ensued.

“I’m in

Melora flew

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

but his voice

meeting up

Melora restrained herself

hung up the

in the night, she cried o

I’m

balcony all by herself for a long

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

he was Mr. Alfred.

blame her brother, so she constantly stuck by him, doing her

time rolled by, he started letting her remain close.

his cramped office. One night, as she woke up, she discovered

that, they kissed.

man. He

taken control of the situation, but he did not

in her life, Melora learned that men could be that

come looking for her either.

night when Skyler was getting sent off and Alfred had

him, worried.

was a being of charm.

could not help but kiss him.

indulged in worldly desires below him. At that time,

attracted her.

would only share a night

kept going to Barnwood

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

they were intimate with each other.

make food for her to eat before he devoured her.

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

that

had no legal ties to each

give her was the moments of sweet

wanted to publicize his relationship with

sat in his car.

condominium, and it was from there that he made the call.

should not have come, but he could not help himself and specifically

she declined his invitation and refused

the door to the condominium,

looked the same, except for the absence of one

a man known for his shrewdness all his life, seldom experienced such

night

passion, and he cherished the moments she nestled in his arms, calling him “Mr.

he encountered such an innocent girl in

else was manipulative

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

world was treacherous.

vulnerable, requiring his undivided attention