Crystal's One Night of Love

When he heard how even Crystal’s breathing was, he figured that she was awake.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” he asked, leaning over to kiss her.

Crystal leaned in his arms and traced her fingers across the white pillow. “To be honest, you don’t need to hold yourself back like this. It’s not that I don’t feel anything.”

She still felt something for him.

Henry held her tightly in silence. He knew that she felt something, but since she was satisfied, it was enough for her, unlike those who were in love, who would still want more despite being satisfied.

He wished they could embrace each other throughout the night.

His body was cold and comfortable to lean against.

He came close to her ear and whispered, “Tell me everything, Crystal. I’m your husband. I’ll listen to everything you have to say, and I won’t do the things that you don’t like.”

Crystal remained silent.

He had heard what she had said to the psychiatrist.

Henry felt nervous.

He was worried that the topic would agitate her, but after a while, Crystal mumbled an “okay” and said, “Henry, find me another psychiatrist. I’ll visit them myself from now on.”

They had two children, and they had no plans for a divorce.

Her illness still had to be treated.

However, as a woman, Crystal did not want her husband to learn about her matters. There were some wounds she would rather heal in private.

Henry agreed to it.

Before they slept, he whispered, “I’ll bring Skyler to jog tomorrow.”

Crystal’s wound had been exposed to the public.

She did not avoid it and went to the new psychiatrist that Henry had introduced her to. There was progress, but not much. Perhaps they needed time or another child just as the doctor had said.

Madison was worried about her and invited her for a drink.

In a dessert shop within a five-star hotel, Madison merrily ordered a dessert and said, “This is their signature dessert. Try it out. If it’s good, you can order another set to take away for Skyler.”

Crystal tasted it, then smiled and commented, “It’s rather good. The matcha tastes strong enough.”

Madison immediately waved for the server and ordered two more sets to take away.

She was swift in her actions, and Crystal merely watched her in silence. When Madison turned back, she noticed Crystal’s gaze and reached out to touch her face. “What’s the matter? Why are you staring at me? You’re giving me the creeps.”

Crystal stirred her coffee slowly and smiled. “Madison, it’s been twelve years since we’ve known each other.”

Madison visibly froze.

Twelve years…

Madison touched her face and finally understood why Crystal had seemed to be emotional earlier. Back in their days at university, Madison had been the prettiest girl among all.

When she was with Zachary, entertainment and food had taken over most of her life.

After getting married to Charles and after giving birth to a son, she realized that she was no longer as slim as before. Even her cheeks had gained some fat.

Yet, Crystal remained almost unchanged. She was still as slender as before.

No wonder Henry can’t bring himself to let her go even if he himself can’t have her. Madison could not tell if that was a good thing or not..

Just as they were talking about their past, someone came out of the elevator.

It was a familiar face, and she was even dressed to her nines. In fact, as though she was a celebrity, she had an assistant right beside her.

It was Clementine.

Clementine was equally surprised to see Crystal. She had never thought that Crystal would still dare to appear in public.

Her scandals are all over the place. Is she not afraid of getting criticized? So what if Crystal knows I’m the one behind this? What can she even do?

Clementine was certain that her plan had been foolproof. Her husband, Jerry, was in the coal mining industry in the southwest, and no matter how powerful the Miller family was, their influence could not reach that far.

Clementine walked over. Even though it was only the start of fall, she was already dressed in an expensive. mink fur coat.

She sat down across Crystal with a cigarette between her fingers.

The server came over and reminded her, “Miss, smoking isn’t allowed in our shop.”

turned back to Crystal and Madison and flashed a confident smile. “What a coincidence, my old friends! Madison, it’s only been a few years since. you got married, but you’ve already gained so much weight. You’re a hundred and ten pounds now, aren’t you? Won’t your second husband feel disgusted by that? And Crystal… Henry’s right at the peak of his life. Do you think he’ll stay by

weight had changed, her

into

you stay at home and keep an eye on your husband instead? Why are you so concerned about other

livid. D’mn you and

was about to retort when someone suddenly grabbed

she raised her head, she

was clear that he was there for a business meeting. His eyes were filled with mixed emotions as he looked at the

had not seen him in a

dragged her out of the dessert shop.

Crystal, “Here comes her handler. I wish Robert

glanced at Madison, who added, “She was mean to you. Even if you don’t tell me anything. I know

lips, and she slowly finished the rest of her

of the hotel, Robert pinned Clementine against the wall and

had

their reunion was not a

Haven’t you forgotten about her? Are you tempted to win her over again after finding out that things are tense between her and Henry? Look,

like a saint carlier irked her.

being able to give him any happiness? How did she make a prideful man like him submit to her? How did she make him so loyal to her? No, I won’t believe this.

Clementine, seemingly flustered. Clementine was right. When he heard the recording-when he heard Crystal say that she no longer believed in Henry’s

thoughts in his head were perverse and absurd, but

face, and Clementine registered them all. She rubbed her face in frustration and asked, “Robert, what do you

Robert fell silent.

could not tell what made

the memories of their four-year relationship could never fade away

brought sorrow into his

said

door for her. “The timing is perfect to pick up Skyler now. She will be thrilled.

to see you.”

in the family, Skyler was

adore a fair-skinned, charming little girl

Crystal chuckled aloud.

someone gripped her wrist.

you need

a

ignored Joel and fixed his gaze on

he asked, “Crystal, is it possible for us to get back

responded calmly, “Robert, I don’t recall giving you any indication that I’ll

got

door shut

car was slowly

still, lost in thought.

filled him with regret. Learning that she wasn’t doing well now made him ponder what might have happened if he had changed his course

remained together. Crystal would have been

in reality, there are no

was socializing

struck nine in the evening, he

surprise, he bumped into Henry in the restroom. It was

soul drowning in alcohol, the

of thirty-five, firmly in his prime. His personal life was devoid of

in the reflection of the

out an audible snort as he extracted a cigarette, leaned against the

taking a deep drag, he turned to Henry. “You’re at such a place but

faucet and straightened his shirt in front of the

mocking people your only skill

merely snorted in response.

plume of smoke, and said, “Henry, I didn’t lose

felt

he lowered his head and stared at the cigarette in his

the silence. “You may have lost some of your memories, but the memories. between Crystal

tissue to wipe his

one beside Crystal every

he turned on his

was no lingering scent of perfume on him. It seemed he intended to return

puking his guts

he found Crystal teaching Skyler how to play the piano. Their lesson was nearing its end.

with Remi amusing himself inside with

kiss on his son. He asked casually, “Has he eaten?

told Skyler to continue practicing

and passed the little boy to Henry, “Hold him. He’s going to

Henry chuckled aloud.

had gained weight ever since he began taking