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.
tone merry as he said, “Mr. Miller
assistance, Crystal made her way to
down. He
grace with which he lounged against his elbow belied the gravity of the
of
had built,
to outsiders, felt alien to the man who
nothing but a stranger to him now, and the idea of
someone who
the car, a silent presence beside
resting on his lap. She surmised that his interest in those five years. before his return to the country had driven him to conduct some research.
and fair complexion. Despite
found himself inexplicably drawn to her
be my
eyes, he instructed
protest. Crystal suppressed her yearning, enduring
was palpable, an intangible connection lingered-a residual warmth
the window,
outside the condominium. The driver unloaded
touching Crystal before he led the
normal, for his love for
condominium, and when Crystal took in the interior, she could not halt the emotions that crashed over her. Her voice
to its previous theme of black and white-elegant yet impersonal, akin to a showroom
his luggage down with a sense of purpose, then changed
her and a glass of red wine for himself. After that, he leaned casually against
knew that he was pondering how he should deal with her-with the uninvited presence in his
with a contemplative look in his
his intense
different from the tender and loving way he
Yet, her cheeks flushed.
Henry caught her reaction.
a seat beside her. With a playful glint in his eyes, he brushed his fingers
not resist
serene as she recounted the events of the past five
said, “Quite the tale, Miss Winters…. You could give
Her surprise was evident.
voice
could fully react, he pressed her
may have lacked dignity, but as her eyes met his, an undeniable desire surged within
to trace the contours of his handsome face, from his brows to his nose.
hand, not letting her
to reveal
traced the curve of her belly, a playful glint dancing in
had not done it for a
stood before
Her body quivered slightly.
“Do you want it?”
near her ear. “I’ve heard that women your age tend to have
She wasn’t afraid of him becoming distant,
shirt as he spoke in an almost nonchalant manner: “Miss Winters, what are you after? A husband or simply someone to satisfy your desires? Think it over carefully. Only then can we proceed to the next
Crystal’s brow vaguely
softly asked, “Do you want to get a
the faint patch
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