Chapter 276: Chapter 276 I Am Pregnant

Jamie went to the law firm at ten in the morning.

Henry’s assistant led her into the office with a faint smile. “Welcome back, Jamie!”

Jamie felt uneasy.

She closed the door, then turned to fix her gaze on Henry, who was seated behind the desk.

Henry did not lift his head. He continued reading his documents and asked placidly, “Did Crystal ask you to come?”

Jamie confirmed it with a nod. “Yes. Miss Winters says that I’m skilled in this area and that I’d be of help to you, Mr. Miller.”

Henry let out a soft chuckle..

He closed the file and engaged in a casual conversation with Jamie. Finally, he asked in a nonchalant voice, “By the way, is Mr.

Hearnshaw of Seeas Corporation, Ryan Hearnshaw?”

Jamie was slightly taken aback. “Yes, it’s him.”

“Is he married?”

Jamie was confused, but she still answered honestly, “Mr. Hearnshaw is thirty-five this year. He’s a good man, but he has yet to marry, and I heard he doesn’t have a girlfriend.”

Unmarried and single...

Henry pursed his lips. “All right, I got it. You may leave.””

Just as Jamie was about to exit with the documents, Henry abruptly asked. “What time is Crystal’s prenatal checkup, and which hospital is it at? Send me the details.”

Jamie could not help but smile. “Of course! I’ll send it to you in a while.”

When Henry arrived at the hospital, it was almost eleven in the morning.

By then, Crystal was already done with her prenatal checkup and was sitting on the chair alone, quietly studying the sonogram.

Henry ambled over to her, She was alone, and there was no Ryan Hearnshaw in sight.

She figured out that it was a scheme of hers.

Nevertheless, he was not frustrated. He sat down beside her, craned his neck, and said, “Show me.”

Crystal passed him the sonogram.

“He’s almost five months now. You’ve already given him a name, Remi Miller.”

Henry glanced at the sonogram. “A boy?”

Crystal nodded, her gaze landing on his handsome features. At that very moment, she desperately wished that he would suddenly regain his memories and say to her, “I’m sorry I’m late, Crystal.”

But he did not.

Henry, who had lost his memories, could only pretend to be a woman’s husband.

He was only there because he was afraid that she would cheat on him.

Sure enough, after looking at the sonogram, he sent her downstairs, not even bothering to invite her to lunch.

They went their separate ways.

For the following days, Henry lived as though he was single.

He was always at social events, and he rarely went home.

The private investigator would send Crystal photos of Henry attending cocktail parties one after another, with countless socialites around him.

A month later, in the CEO’s office of Seeas Corporation, Crystal was standing silently by the floor-to- ceiling window. There were a few photos scattered on her desk.

Ryan was greeted by that sight when he entered the room..

He pretended not to see anything and said gently, “Miss Winters, how about I attend Mr. Jacklin’s private banquet alone? You should head home early and get some rest.”

Crystal shook her head. “How can I do that to Mr. Jacklin? He helped us out so much.”

Ryan stopped insisting otherwise and exited the room.

At half past nine at night, in Barnwood’s most upscale business club, Crystal was about to leave after Ryan would be going for a second round of drinking after sending her home. While they walked to the car, they talked about work.

Suddenly, Crystal froze.

Near the elevator, one of the room doors was opened, and she could see everything that went on inside.

There were around five to six men, and she knew half of them. Of course, that included her husband. What caught her attention was how all the men, including Henry, had young women by their sides.

Although he was not embracing anyone, there was a young woman leaning against him, and he did not. push her away.

Crystal stood there quietly and observed him.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Henry lifted his head and their eyes met. There was an awkward tension in the air.

Oliver Lee, who was well acquainted with both of them and the owner of a six-star hotel, was also present.

He quickly stubbed out his cigarette and stood up. “Crystal, what a coincidence! Don’t misunderstand Henry. We were merely discussing business. You of all people should know he’s an honest man!”

He then invited Crystal to enter.

There were about six young women inside, and it would be embarrassing for Crystal to be in that situation.

“Miss Winters, let me take you home,” Ryan said.

Crystal stared at Henry. She wished to leave, but she couldn’t move her feet.

One of the ignorant women next to Henry mumbled, “Mrs. Miller is quite the intriguing one. She can’t control her husband, yet she wants to play the role of a devoted wife!”

Oliver began to panic, for he knew how hot Crystal’s temper was.

Crystal went in after all. Cradling her six-month pregnant belly, she walked over to the young woman in a graceful manner and flashed a faint smile. “You’re a student at the Northview University of Arts, aren’t you? At your tender age, instead of honing your skills, you’re here drinking with men... Believe it or not, one word from me and you won’t get any gigs after graduation!”

The girl dismissed her threat, believing that Henry would safeguard her interests.

She waited and waited, but Henry remained aloof and didn’t intervene at all.

The young woman’s smile froze.

Crystal did not feel the joy of victory, for she knew what kind of man Henry was in the past.

A young woman like that wouldn’t even catch his eye.

He was merely trying to make her upset.

However, when he noticed Ryan’s hand on Crystal’s shoulder, he spoke in a gentle tone that brooked no refusal. “I’ll take you home.”

With that, he clasped Crystal’s hand.

In a bid to case the tension, Oliver commented, “Well, would you look at that! Mr. and Mrs. Miller are very much in love.”

The young woman became embarrassed, but Crystal felt even more mortified.

Throughout the ride in the sleek black car, she looked out the window and did not exchange a single word with Henry.

The world was shrouded in darkness.

The night crept in like a monster that engulfed the relationship they once shared, smothering the love until all that was left was a cold void.

Henry answered a call from David right then. David sounded upset. He seemed to have found out about the incident at the club and admonished his son for it.

Henry answered his father nonchalantly while casting a meaningful glance at Crystal Thirty minutes later, the car pulled up at the mansion.

Henry got out of the vehicle, then swiftly opened the door for Crystal, signaling her to get out.

Crystal lifted her gaze slowly, her eyes moist and weary.

Henry picked her up and carried her straight to the master bedroom on the second floor.

Since she was pregnant, he made sure to be gentle as he pressed her down on the bed. He deftly removed. her coat to reveal a red wool dress with a V-neck that accentuated her fair and alluring skin.

When Crystal came back to her senses, she began to resist. “What do you want, Henry?”

“I want you.”

He threw a stack of photos right next to her face. Each one captured him in different settings, but mostly at social gatherings and club events.

The sharp edges of the photos grazed her delicate face, but the pain was the last thing on her mind.

So, he knew... That’s why he’s been staying outside on purpose... He resists the idea of this marriage.

“There’s a lot more, Mrs. Miller. Is this not what you want when you hired a private investigator to tail me and snap pictures of me? I’m giving you what you want now, but why are you not happy? Why are you. crying?”

Henry slowly unbuttoned his shirt so that she could see his sculpted muscles.

“Henry, I’m pregnant!” Crystal cried out in fear.

“Six months isn’t a problem. I hear that it feels different to have sex with a pregnant woman. I’m curious to find out, and you should be curious too whether I’m better or my past self is better.”

His words became more explicit as he quickly took control.

The pain was excruciating.

Crystal turned pale and clutched the bedsheets as she endured wave after wave of his advances. A faint vein appeared on her forehead, making her look even more irresistible.

Henry stroked her face and said in a hoarse voice, “You’re screaming under me like that and yet you say you don’t want it?”

Crystal couldn’t say anything.

Hot drops of sweat trickled down her skin, each one causing her body to quiver uncontrollably. She couldn’t help but grip his shoulders.

“Henry, you jerk! Let me go!”

Henry, do you know I miss you?

Crystal soaked in the bathtub for a long time until her body was glowing with a light pink color. She wrapped herself in a bathrobe, then made her way back to the master bedroom Henry stood by the window with a cigarette in his hand. There was a faint smell of tobacco in the room.

He was still dressed in the same attire although it was a bit rumpled.

That reminded Crystal of what had transpired. She felt embarrassed as he was fully clothed, having only removed his shirt and belt.

The experience this time felt less intense than the first time they had sex. There was hardly any emotion. involved; it was merely a release of pent-up tension for him.

Crystal looked at him for a while, then moved to the vanity to tend to her skin. No matter how many. things had happened over the years, she had never forgotten her skincare routine, so her skin had always been soft and supple.

The night was cold, causing Crystal to sneeze when the wind blew in.

Hearing that, Henry stubbed out his cigarette, closed the window, and fixed his gaze on Crystal.

She was taking care of herself, rubbing lotions on her body, her bathrobe slightly parted.

Henry looked at her snow-white shoulders and slender long legs from the back. She did not look like a pregnant woman.

Perhaps it was the result of their passionate moments. Her entire body was tinged with a blush that made her look all the more alluring.

As a matter of fact, he had received a wonderful experience from his exploration of her body.

She was pregnant, so he reigned in his desires and only indulged himself twice..

As far as Henry could remember, this was his first time and it was one that had left a satisfying impression. It was especially inviting when she cried for him to stop as it only ignited his desire to explore her body further.

He figured the quality of their marriage would be good.

After all, men are often driven by their senses, and at times, physical intimacy may take priority over emotional connections.

Henry did not deceive himself into thinking he was a paragon of virtue. Having tasted her once, he found himself yearning for more. Nevertheless, he recognized that seducing a woman into having sex with him willingly would take some effort.

If he continued to stay away from home, he knew she would not welcome him with smiles.

Leaning against the wall, he said in his husky voice, “I remember Ryan Hearnshaw is one of my men.”

Crystal stiffened.

After a beat, she mustered a faint smile. “Yes. Are you planning on transferring him?”

Henry’s smugness was palpable. While it would not be an issue to reshuffle personnel, he wanted to avoid giving the impression of being overtly invested in Crystal as his wife. “It’s best for me not to take him away from you when you’ve familiarized yourself with him”

Crystal continued applying lotion.

The room was enveloped in silence.

Moments later, Henry said, “I’ll be moving back tomorrow.”

Crystal set down her bottles and jars, tied her bathrobe, and turned to face him.

Henry left his statement unelaborated.

True to his word, he returned the following day.

He only brought with him a suitcase containing two sets of everyday attire.

Upon his return in the evening, he promptly entered the study.

Henry was evidently preoccupied.

Crystal unzipped the suitcase. She took in its meager contents and smiled wryly.

Moving back, he said? Clearly, he’s looking for a consistent, long-term partner in bed. He probably felt good the last time and fell in love with my body. That’s why he came back. However, when a man comes home of his own accord, there is no reason for a woman to kick him out.

Crystal hung up Henry’s suits in the closet and descended the stairs.

In the kitchen, the housekeepers were bustling about. At the sight of Crystal, one of them beamed and said, “Mr. Miller has returned. We used our own money to prepare a few extra dishes. We hope you don’t mind, Mrs. Miller!”

Crystal looked at the array of dishes, some of which looked distinctly opulent, boasting ingredients that didn’t come cheap.

She offered a faint smile, expressing her gratitude to the housekeepers. Internally, she made a mental note to reimburse them.

These hardworking individuals were drawing modest salaries, after all.

She directed the housekeepers to summon Henry for dinner.

Soon, they returned from upstairs and said in a slightly awkward tone, “Mrs. Miller, Mr. Miller mentioned that he has a flight to catch at ten at night and won’t be able to join us for dinner.”

Oh, he’s going on a business trip... That explains the suitcase...

Crystal lowered her head and flashed a small smile. “No worries. Go ahead and enjoy your meal.”

She retraced her steps upstairs, embodying the role of the devoted wife as she assisted in repacking Henry’s belongings. She then arrived at the study door and knocked on it. “Henry, are you heading out on a business trip?”

Henry concluded his final email and grunted an affirmation. “Yes, about three days,”

After organizing his briefcase, he looked at Crystal’s belly. “You don’t have a problem with it, do you?”

“I don’t think so,” Crystal said placidly.

Henry nodded, then made a call while going to get his suitcase, and off he went on his business trip.

Three days went by, and he returned at night By then, Crystal was already asleep. Henry tiptoed into the room, set his suitcase aside, took off his clothes, and took a shower.

Thereafter, he gently roused Crystal and satisfied himself twice.

As the night deepened, Henry fell asleep.

Crystal, however, remained wide awake. She could guess what he was thinking even if she was slow.

Henry’s return was not a step toward rekindling an intimate connection between them.

It was a calculated measure to meet his physical needs.

Crystal lay sideways and extended her hand from beneath the covers to gently trace his chiseled features. Her lips curled into a soft smile. “You’re such a b*stard, yet there’s nothing I can do about you.”

Social gatherings scarcely held Henry’s attention these days. His attention was wholly consumed by his professional commitments.

He was nice to Skyler, and Skyler liked him.

Nonetheless, in private, he maintained a marked distance from Crystal, aside from their shared intimate moments. These encounters were neither particularly gratifying nor terrible. Except for the absence of genuine emotion, they lived like a normal married couple.

Henry was contented.

For a man, having a spouse, a child, and influence are his ultimate goal, and he now possessed all these.

Furthermore, his wife was accommodating in bed.

He had no complaints.

However, Crystal’s satisfaction was an altogether different narrative. She had once tasted the most sublime love, and what remained now was just the corporeal shell of Henry, without the depth he had once possessed.

Days elapsed in a routine fashion, but she was powerless to enact change.

With time, even those around them perceived their relationship as affectionate.

The five-year chasm in Henry’s memory appeared almost negligible. Only Crystal bore witness to moments of loneliness after they had sex.

Indeed, she was lonely inside..

She had tried. She was considerate and gentle with him, an example of a good wife.

Nonetheless, she could never win his heart, and she could not elicit his affection. His treatment reflected the typical comforts that a wealthy husband would provide for his wife-stability, ensuring her comfort, and producing legitimate heirs.

When she was eight months pregnant, Henry stopped touching her.

He became more busy, and Crystal did not complain.

During the first snowfall of early winter, she gave birth to Remi Miller, the first grandson of the Miller family.

She brought the seven-pound baby to the world at full term.

David, overflowing with joy, acted as if he’d achieved a monumental feat. Melora playfully chided him for his old-fashioned mindset, but his response was firm. I treasure Skyler and Berthold equally!”

The truth was, Skyler held the most special place in his heart.

Yet, when it concerned preserving the Miller family legacy, Remi had to take the mantle. David, however, would never confess to such a notion.

Melora rolled her eyes at him.

She attended to Crystal and carried the baby to her. “Crystal, look. He’s the spitting image of you!”

Despite her exhaustion, Crystal leaned over to look at the baby closely.

He bore a striking resemblance to her, from the rich brown tufts of hair to the gentle expression in his eyes.

His eyebrows and eyes mirrored her features, particularly his delicate nose.

David turned to Julia. “Remarkable genes, aren’t they? The children are taking after the Lodges!”

Just then, Henry entered the room.

Despite being a father of two children, he remained impeccably attractive.

He leaned down to plant a kiss on Crystal’s forehead and then directed his gaze to their son nestled in the crib. “Thank you.”

Crystal observed him closely before letting a soft smile grace her lips.

Henry proceeded to lift their son from the crib. The Millers showered the baby with adoration, debating his resemblance and cooing over, his undeniable cuteness. Plans for his care were discussed in earnest.

Crystal averted her gaze, finding herself too filled with worry.

With two children, Henry would restrain himself. What else could she ask for?

Yet, amidst the bustling celebrations, an inescapable loneliness persisted.

In her heart, she yearned for the Henry who had once cherished her. She was uncertain whether their lives were destined to remain indefinitely formal and distant.

He would be engrossed in his work, and she would have to work while caring for the two children.

That would last forever and ever.

Unbeknownst to him, she was waiting for him, waiting for him to return.