Crystal's One Night of Love

Upon his return to the law firm, Henry found himself engrossed in his work. An hour later, a file was delivered to him.

Lara Chamber was twenty-two years old. She was brought to Mount Lorcroft during her formative years. Her adoptive parents passed away when she was twelve, and she was left to fend for herself.

The detective retrieved a cigarette and positioned it between his lips. “Something unpleasant happened to this girl when she was sixteen, so her biological family refused to acknowledge her despite finding her.”

Something unpleasant…

Henry could make a reasonable assumption.

As he was silent, the detective asked, “How shall we proceed? Should we bring her in?”

“No.” Henry responded in a measured tone. “Secure a suitable part-time job for her, but exclude any mention of me.”

As a mature individual, he could discern the admiration he detected in Lara’s gaze toward him. Although he sympathized with her situation, he did not want to entangle himself in intricate affairs. After all, he and Grystal were still not on good terms.

Having spent time with Crystal for more than half a year, he had figured out her temperament-she was undeniably possessive.

With matters addressed, he found himself alone in his office, lost in his thoughts.

Beyond the windowpane, snowflakes continued to fall from the sky.

He examined his feelings.

Recollections of the late Audrey and his current wife, Crystal, occupied his thoughts. Amidst this introspection, he acknowledged a degree of fondness for Crystal, even if a significant portion of this sentiment was tied to her physical attributes.

By the time he returned to reality, it was already nine at night.

The night sky lay shrouded in darkness, illuminated solely by the falling snow.

Henry grabbed his coat and left the law firm. On his way back to the Miller residence, he spotted a florist still open. He stopped and bought a bouquet of champagne roses.

He mused that women always had an affinity for flowers.

At ten, his car pulled up before the Miller residence.

By then, lights were already off at the Miller residence, and the living room was dimly lit. As he began to remove his coat with intentions to head upstairs, a low voice rang out. “Where have you been? It’s so late already.”

The room lights were switched on, forcing Henry to shield his eyes momentarily before adjusting to the newfound brightness.

Seated on the couch with legs crossed and a disgruntled expression was David. “You’ve finally decided to grace us with your presence, huh? If I were your wife, I’d have left you. Oh? You even bought flowers? Do you think your wife is in need of bouquets when she has an abundance of them?”

A sense of helplessness overcame Henry. “Dad, let’s talk about this tomorrow.”

Just as he was about to make his way upstairs, David sneered, “Your wife isn’t back yet. If I were her, I wouldn’t return either! Only you could do such a thing as leaving your wife behind on a snowy day! Henry, let me offer you a piece of advice. Keep up with your reckless behavior and your wife’s patience will wane sooner or later. There are plenty of people out there who are interested in your wife. Don’t overestimate yourself.”

Henry went back down the stairs and slipped on his coat.

“Where are you off to?”

“The mansion.”

His motivations eluded him; he wasn’t certain why he was proceeding in this manner. He acknowledged Crystal’s maturity and the fact that she possessed her own drivers and security personnel. Her safety was not a concern. Yet, that night, his yearning compelled him to see her.

Deep into the night, his car halted at the mansion.

He got out of the vehicle and saw that the lights were on, on the second floor.

Crystal was there.

walked into the living room with the flowers. The housekeeper took his coat and said, “Mrs. Miller has been in the study for quite some time. She skipped

in acknowledgement and

told her I would send her to the dinner, but I

second floor, Crystal was holding a file containing Lara’s background information Lara was Audrey’s biological sister.

smoked, dated, and even had an abortion despite

lips forming a chilly

and yet, she now assumes the role of an innocent young woman. Even my husband feels pity for her, offering her a respectable job for the sake of a

suffocation overcame

to approach Henry. She

for a lighter

ashes burnt her hand.

frowned at her. “What

raised her head to meet

designer coat and looked handsome as always.

husband, and yet, he was like a stranger

long while, she answered softly, “Something from the

and offered her the bouquet. She accepted it

you like

woman dislikes flowers.”

back of the desk, leaning in for a long kiss. His lips still on hers, he asked,

Crystal responded

honesty quite endearing.

warm on that snowy night.

and

felt a square object in his pocket. A realization hit her. Forty- two days had passed since she

on Crystal’s

Under the dim light, she uttered slowly, “Henry, I’ve said before that love involving three people is overly

prideful man, was a

had uncovered the truth.

on between us. I have

looked up slowly, her eyes red.

believe that your attention comes from your regard for her sister, Audrey. She might even aim to replace Audrey’s position in your heart.” Crystal traced his chest with her. fingers. “Henry, if you genuinely care, then helping her is not the right way. I will not

took on the tenderness of a lover’s whisper. “What do you want me to

fully capable of surviving on her own. Withdraw any special

Henry’s gaze darkened.

believe you’ve already done your investigation on her tragic past, Crystal, you’re a woman with billions.

after my husband. Am I supposed

fixed on her. The

open the door

did not run after him. She did not want to live a

the journal Henry had left for her from the drawer. As she turned its pages methodically, her

way. Before he left, his wife and daughter had been his priority. A random woman named Lara wouldn’t make

night, Crystal chose not to return to

night separately, lost in

morning arrived, Henry awoke to find an empty

back

bin near the

office early this

right,” Henry

fell on the piano. He recognized it as the same one played by Ludweig, and

do you like it? Crystal, you’re my morning

unbearable. Those words kept echoing in his mind. However,