Crystal's One Night of Love

Crystal quickly and firmly placed Lara’s number on Henry’s blacklist.

The task was accomplished, but her feelings still felt a little bruised. She was somewhat absent-minded when Henry tried to converse with her.

Their car finally rolled to a stop at the mansion.

Unbuckling his seatbelt, Henry turned toward Crystal, his voice laced with tenderness as he asked, “Why are you so quiet?”

Men always like to compare.

Henry pondered for a while. “Did I hurt you just now?”

Crystal shook her head.

She opened the door and got out, sidestepping the topic. “They’re waiting for us.”

They hadn’t gone far when Henry looped his arm around her waist, pulling her close from behind, and she fell into his embrace.

The snow fell all around them, wetting their coats, but neither of them seemed to mind. It was rare for them to warmly embrace each other like this on a cold winter night.

“Crystal, I’m thinking I could actually become a good husband to you,” he whispered, his breath a gentle. caress against her ear.

He decided to discard any preconceived notions about her, aiming to accept her completely.

No matter if it was due to his desires as a man or her kind nature, he believed she’d make an exceptional lover, wife, and mother.

Leaning against his shoulder, Crystal murmured, “Really? What is it that you like about me?”

Henry patted her back. “I’ll tell you tonight!”

“This is all going a bit too fast…”

Henry’s fingers glided along the curve of her spine. Her entire body felt soft to the touch, and he was happy to stay this way with her.

At the entrance of the mansion stood David and Alfred, who were puffing away on cigarettes.

David’s eyes widened as he asked, “Do you see that couple embracing each other over there? Is that Henry and Crystal?”

Lowering his head, Alfred lit his cigarette and took a long drag from it. He was the embodiment of rugged charm.

Casting a glance their way, he confirmed, “There’s no doubt about it!”

David grew anxious.

With the cigarette hanging from his mouth, he marched through the falling snow and shouted, “Henry, have you lost your marbles? Why are you frolicking in the snow on a freezing day like this? Even if you and your thick skin can handle it, your wife just gave birth two months ago. How could you drag her out in the snow with you?”

Alfred’s cigarette came close to searing his fingers.

Crystal gently removed herself from Henry’s embrace, feeling embarrassed. “Dad’s coming over!”

Henry, realizing the inappropriateness of standing in the snow like this, slipped off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. He pulled her into his embrace and said, “Okay, let’s head inside. I told you that Dad loves you to bits.”

David had come over right then.

He handed a large black umbrella to Crystal and launched into a tirade against his wayward son.

Henry fished a cigarette from his pocket, ignited it amidst the delicate snowfall, and then threw Crystal a smirk.

He was clearly teasing her with that smirk.

Truth be told, this version of Henry appealed to Crystal. However, with the elders around, she didn’t dare to flirt with him, so she quickly walked into the living room.

David proceeded to lecture his son about taking proper care of women who had just given birth.

In the end, he waved his hand dismissively and said, “Go on and attend to your wife. Looking at you gets on my nerves!”

Henry nonchalantly finished his cigarette, then followed Crystal indoors.

As he stepped inside, he saw Crystal taking off her coat and drying her hair with a towel.

Clad in a delicate dress made from wool that set off her fair skin, she radiated softness and elegance.

Henry’s voice took on a tender tone as he said, “We’ve got half an hour until dinner. How about upstairs for a shower? I’ll go check on Remi!”

Skyler, holding his hand, said eagerly, “I’ll go with you, Daddy!”

Bending down, Henry lifted the little one and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Skyler beamed as she wrapped her arm around his neck with happiness.

Crystal’s gaze softened at the sight of the father and daughter.

Julia took the towel from her hand and said gently, “He’ll settle down eventually. You two have such a deep bond.”

an acknowledgment.

did not matter whether or not he could

was their future.

while the ground floor of the Miller

a festive air of Christmas After checking on Remi,

was already half-past seven in the evening.

begun illuminating the sky.

heart melted. He scooped

would wander from his financial magazine to her delicate and fair little face.

resembled Crystal

fingers. “Daddy, you’re good-

on her

her cheeks flushed. Skyler leaned

right

shared with Berthold wasn’t as close as this.

that moment, Melora and Berthold came down the stairs.

parents helping her take care of the child, she regained her

missed her, but he understood his place.

the two children. “Come

forward, and she was

a stern man. “Go on!” Melora reassured him with a pat on his shoulder.

his courage and approached Alfred.

a

embarrassment crossed Alfred’s face, but he tenderly patted the boy’s head and handed over the gift. He said in a

understanding yet

uncle Alfred. But Great-uncle Alfred and Aunt Melora are a couple, and they gave birth to you. Berthold.

ruffled Skyler’s

She

to

descended the stairs.

from his pocket, then presented it to her. “Here’s your Christmas gift!”

to

Alfred, so consider it a gift from your elder! Take it. I rarely come over, and I’ll be leaving tomorrow.

accepted the box and opened

box lay a pearl necklace that looked expensive at first

Alfred shrugged it

he didn’t reveal was that this piece was a cherished heirloom of the Lodge family that was passed down through generations to each successive wife of the Lodge

future, yet at this moment, he impulsively

air crackled with emotion, Henry looked on from a

obtuse as his sister and knew the true value of that pearl necklace, but he didn’t expose it. At

was unfamiliar

her hometown is situated in the mountains. She slipped off a cliff, and rescue is near impossible now…

person on the line was

the phone.

After that, Crystal blacklisted the number. A life

for details about the situation and assured

his gaze to find Crystal coming midway down the

after her shower, but her face was unusually pale.

heading

donned his coat, ready

Henry nodded.

with us, Crystal. I’ll be back after dealing with it.”

ready! Uncle Alfred is leaving

the banister and

composed, but only she knew

ask Uncle Alfred to arrange a helicopter through his connections. I don’t think it’s that

to Alfred.

faint smile tugging at his lips. “I can

gaze shifted to

“With Uncle Alfred’s help, you can trust it’ll be fine. Henry, you promised not to get involved with Lara anymore. Let me handle this,

She wasn’t naïve.

much of

just playing the

daring enough and willing to trap herself in such a perilous situation. After all, if the helicopter didn’t arrive, she would really freeze to death in the mountains.

life, but she did

at

hand, brushing her cheek tenderly. In a gentle voice, he said. “It’s not often that Uncle Alfred comes here. Let him enjoy dinner with you guys.

turned to leave.

caught his hand. “Are all these loved ones and this festive atmosphere not enough to keep you

frown crossed Henry’s face.

I didn’t think so.”

not wanting to alarm Skyler. She didn’t want to create an awkward

a good husband and about making things better… Yet now, just a short while later, you’re off to find a woman who is clearly interested in you. Henry, are you truly trying to do what’s right or

She finally

“Crystal, stop