In the dimly lit room, Crystal nestled in his arms.
Her face rested against his waist. That was actually an intimate hug, but she was profoundly upset.
After everything they had been through, she had forgotten how it felt to love him. She had been immersing herself in her world, thinking that if she played the roles of a good wife and mother well, their relationship would eventually return to how it was.
However, it turned out she hadnât really moved on.
Henry held her close and gently patted her back.
After dinner, Crystal, concerned for their children, wanted to go home, but Henry switched off the lights again and pulled her into his embrace to lie on the couch together. Their bodies were pressed close, so much so that she could smell the faint scent of tobacco on him.
âCrystal, tell me about our past.â His voice was hoarse as he spoke.
That condominium held many memories for them.
He wanted to listen to the moments they shared, both good and bad.
She lay on his chest and murmured, âDidnât you read that diary countless times? You probably know it by heart now.â
Henry chuckled.
He lowered his head and leaned close to her, using his prominent nose to touch hers. âDo you know how I fell for you?â
Crystal shook her head. She genuinely didnât know.
Henry caressed her delicate face, and his voice grew huskier as he said, âWhen I was dealing with a lawsuit in Anglandur, I was aware I had a wife and a child before returning to the country. I looked into your background and had a rough idea of how we met. Yet, I struggled with the idea of being married. I spent days pondering how to drive you away, but on the day I came back, I saw you at the airport. I didnât make an effort to remember your face, but I recognized you instantly.â
Crystal asked him why.
He suddenly smiled. With his lips brushing against hers, he answered, âThatâs because youâre beautiful. Iâm not one to be easily captivated, but when I saw your pregnant appearance, I was certain if I had a wife, sheâd look exactly like you.â
Crystal had always been his aesthetic ideal, both before and after he lost his memories.
He admitted that he was initially attracted to Crystal because of her beauty. Otherwise, they wouldnât have become a married couple so quickly. Still, affection between a man and a woman always develops from visual appeal before evolving into feelings.
He didnât bother hiding that from her.
Henry only began to truly love Crystal after she signed the divorce papers. He had read the diary and gone after her at the graveyard and seen her put on the wedding ring. That scene had deeply impacted him.
From then on, he feared losing her.
He recounted many of his emotional journeys, unaware if Crystal was still listening. When he looked down, she was peacefully asleep in his arms.
Henry kissed her on the lips and muttered, âGoodnight!â
The next morning, he took her back to the mansion.
They tidied everything before the children woke up and resumed their usual routine.
After Skyler finished her meal, she got into the car, holding a small box containing some lovely cherry tomatoes, intending to share them with Christopher later.
In the living room, Henry pinched Crystalâs car and whispered, âGo get changed.â
She was a little hesitant.
He leaned forward to kiss her and regarded her with a pensive gaze. In the end, Crystal went upstairs to change her outfit, and they sent Skyler to the kindergarten together.
Upon reaching the kindergarten, Skyler unbuckled her seat belt and got out of the car.
At that moment, Christopher was in line.
Because of his outstanding looks, all the other girls in the kindergarten were willing to line up behind him. When Skyler walked over, she brazenly stood in front of him.
Christopher rested his hands on her shoulders and let her take his place.
Then, he moved to the back of the line, taking her small backpack and the box of cherry tomatoes with him.
Skyler, initially saddened, became cheerful again. As she strutted, her brown hair bobbed, giving her at zestful mien.
At that sight, Crystal laughed.
Standing beside Henry, she uttered softly, âSkyler is so much like you!â
Henry wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
After getting into the car, he fastened his seat belt and looked at her.
Crystal smiled faintly and said, âI promised to go over, and Iâll keep my word.â
Henry reached out to stroke her long brown hair, pulled her close to rest his head against her, and murmured, âCrystal, itâs not about that.â
Crystal was depressed, and she needed to boost her mental health.
Henry was afraid she would misunderstand.
Crystal gently pushed him away and sat up. Her cheeks were slightly flushed. âI know.â
Henry bored his eyes into her. He had been feeling insecure lately, and he genuinely wondered if the doctor had made a mistake in the diagnosis. Perhaps Iâm the one whoâs sick, not Crystal.
They arrived at the clinic on time.
After Henry led Crystal into the consultation room, the doctor briefly inquired about their daily life. Then, she requested Henry to step out so she could speak with Crystal alone.
The doctor was kind and didnât probe into Crystalâs privacy. She merely told the latter to vent and assured her that what they discussed would not be revealed to Henry without her permission.
The room was dimly lit, and the recliner was comfortable. Under such a calming environment, Crystal started to relax. She shared her feelings and described her relationship with Henry to the doctor in an undertone. âMy husband lost five years of memories about us. I know he likes me, but maybe itâs because Iâve been let down too many times. Iâm afraid to accept his affections again. I always feel that if I let my guard down and love him again, misfortune and betrayal will rear their ugly heads once more.â
Crystal paused briefly before continuing. âHe helped a woman I really didnât like. Yet, I forgave him with grace and even took the initiative to shoulder that responsibility. I thought I was coping with it well and that I wouldnât care about the past. But whenever we were in bed together, I couldnât help but recall Laraâs and Audreyâs faces. Iâm constantly reminded that Iâm not his first choice.
If Lara and Audrey were good- natured women, would our marriage still last? Doctor, I donât believe he loves me. There are problems in our sexual life. When I realized this issue, I found myself unable to accept him. Whenever he tried to get intimate with me, I would instinctively reject him.â
The doctor asked softly, âHow often do you and your husband copulate each month?â
Crystal croaked, âOccasionally once.â
The doctor fell silent.
Crystal lowered her head as tears streamed down her cheeks. âI donât even know who to blame.â
The doctor gently reassured her, âMrs. Miller, all that is in the past.â
With her comfort, Crystal gradually calmed down.
Then, the doctor told her to take a nap.
Only after Crystal drifted off to sleep did the doctor exit the consultation room.
Henry was standing at the door expressionlessly. When he saw the doctor coming out, he hastily asked. âWhereâs my wife?â
The doctor didnât reveal any of Crystalâs confidences but simply advised him, âMrs. Miller is under a lot of stress. She strives for perfection, but there are too many unresolved issues between you two. You both need to open up to address these problems slowly.â
âIs there any solution to this?â
The doctor looked at him and replied. âIâll prescribe some medication for her. Once her condition. improves, you can try for another child. During the pregnancy, you must be extra attentive as her husband. Perhaps that might help better your relationship.â
Henry nodded.
The doctor contemplated for a moment before adding. Try to let her relax as much as possible. Donât confine her within the household.â
Henry was slightly stunned.