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.
as he said, “Mr. Miller wants to talk to
her way to the
down. He had taken off his jacket, revealing the impeccably tailored white shirt accentuating the contours of his
with which he lounged against his elbow belied the gravity
file-records of his missing
lay their shared history, the marriage they had built, their child named Skyler, their
the man who had lost five
but a stranger to him now, and the idea of his passionate love for
he had been someone who rejected the
car,
the country had driven him
features and fair complexion. Despite her pregnancy,
found himself inexplicably drawn to her
be my
instructed the driver, “To
were unwavering and left no room for protest. Crystal suppressed her yearning, enduring the heartache as
them was palpable, an intangible connection lingered-a
to the window, her eyes
to a halt outside the condominium. The driver unloaded the luggage
his gaze briefly touching Crystal before he led the way to the elevator. Throughout it
new normal, for his love for her
could not halt the emotions that crashed over
returned to its previous theme of black and white-elegant
of purpose, then changed
red wine for
he was pondering how he should deal with her-with
in his eyes. “These past five years… Though I’ve made my
met his intense
the tender and loving way he
Yet, her cheeks flushed.
Henry caught her reaction.
her. With a playful glint in his eyes, he brushed his fingers gently across her delicate features.
not
serene as she recounted the events
she finished, Henry chuckled and said, “Quite the tale, Miss Winters…. You could give celebrities a run
Her surprise was evident.
his voice taking on a husky note.
react, he pressed her
as her eyes met his, an
to trace the contours of his handsome face, from his
not letting her touch continue
her dress was pulled aside to
traced the curve of her belly, a playful glint dancing in his eyes as he teased her
done it for a
so deeply stood
Her body quivered slightly.
“Do you want it?”
teasing, danced near her ear. “I’ve heard that women
mix of embarrassment and irritation. She wasn’t afraid of him becoming distant, but he was proving himself not
nonchalant manner: “Miss Winters, what are you after? A husband or simply someone to
by Crystal’s brow
her dress and softly asked, “Do you want to
stared at the faint patch
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