Crystal watched the clip again and again, and Skyler was equally still.
It’s Daddy! Daddy looks so handsome when he smiles!
Nestling in Crystal’s embrace, Skyler murmured, “Mommy, is Daddy coming back?”
“Mhm.” Crystal quietly hummed. Patting the top of the girl’s head, she said in a soothing tone, “But Daddy’s unwell, so let’s give him some time, shall we?”
Skyler understood more than her tender years might suggest.
Though Crystal hadn’t explicitly said it, Skyler had noticed the changes after her father was hospitalized. back then. His presence became less frequent, and his grasp of the present slipped occasionally when he was reading bedtime stories to her.
So he was sick!
Bounding back to her room, Skyler then returned clutching a box.
With eager hands, she unveiled a plastic toy stethoscope, her chestnut curls bouncing with excitement.
Her voice was earnest as she said, “I’m going to make Daddy better!”
Crystal’s arms encircled her daughter as she pressed a kiss to the girl’s forehead, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
Skyler was the most beautiful gift Henry had left behind for her.
Autumn settled deep into its rhythm.
The air bore the crisp essence of autumn, and sycamore leaves fluttered to the ground like confetti. Amidst the changing foliage, the maples blazed in fiery red, casting an ethereal glow like dancing flames against the sky.
At the airport, a hum of anticipation coursed through the crowd.
Reporters gathered, poised with cameras and microphones, ready to capture the long-awaited return of the legal world’s enigmatic demon king.
Amidst the crowd was Crystal, who had come without Skyler but with the Miller family’s driver, Joel
Time seemed to stretch. Crystal’s palms grew clammy as they rested together.
What will it be like reuniting with you, Henry? Do you still remember me at all?
Then came a sudden surge of excitement sweeping through the crowd like a wave, and reporters jostled in a single direction.
Flashes erupted from cameras as reporters fought to capture the best shot of the scene.
Henry had appeared.
Henry emerged from the security checkpoint, encircled by his retinue of bodyguards. The camera lenses fixed on him could not shake his poised demeanor. With practiced case, he fielded questions with nonchalant replies, his departure marked by an air of dignified composure.
The bodyguards held the press at bay, creating a path for his exit.
Meanwhile, Crystal stood by the exit, her heart racing as she watched the figure pass by her. An unexpected chill overtook her, as though a gust of icy wind had swept away her strength, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.
The realization struck her like a blow-Henry didn’t remember her.
Right as the thought formed in her mind, Henry halted in his tracks and fixed his gaze on her face.
There was no recognition in his gaze, but Crystal could not contain herself as she called out, “Henry!”
With a purse of his lips, Henry spared her a curt response. “We’ll talk in the car.”
Crystal froze.
he said, “Mr. Miller wants to
assistance, Crystal made her way to
was already in the black sedan, the window of the backseat rolled down. He had taken off his jacket, revealing the impeccably tailored white
lounged against his elbow belied the
a file-records of his missing five years
history, the marriage they had built, their child named Skyler, their numerous
the man who had
and the idea of his passionate love for a woman he barely recognized was beyond his
had been someone
slid into the car, a silent presence
those five years. before his return to the country
on Crystal, taking in her delicate features and
himself inexplicably drawn to her
should be my
his eyes, he instructed the
were unwavering and left no room for protest. Crystal suppressed her yearning,
palpable, an intangible connection lingered-a residual
turned to the window,
car came to a halt outside the condominium. The
briefly touching Crystal before he led the way to the elevator. Throughout
for his love for her was gone, along with those five
interior, she could not halt the emotions that crashed
had been returned to its previous theme of black and white-elegant yet impersonal, akin
then changed his shoes and
a glass of red wine for himself. After that, he leaned casually against the bar
he should deal with her-with the
Henry set the glass down with a contemplative look in his
his
from the tender and loving way he used to look
Yet, her cheeks flushed.
Henry caught her reaction.
in his
not resist
remained serene as she recounted the events of the
“Quite the tale, Miss Winters…. You could give celebrities a run for their money with your
Her surprise was evident.
of her face, his voice taking on
he pressed
have lacked dignity, but as her eyes met his,
not stop herself from reaching out to trace the contours of his handsome face, from his brows to his
hand, not letting her touch
was pulled aside to
of her belly, a playful glint dancing in
it for a
stood before her, making it impossible to
Her body quivered slightly.
“Do you want it?”
and teasing, danced near her ear. “I’ve heard that women your age tend
of him becoming
he spoke in an almost nonchalant manner: “Miss Winters, what are you after? A husband or simply
by Crystal’s brow
dress and softly asked, “Do you want to get a
at the
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