In the living room on the first floor, the housekeepers were tidying up the place.
Julia, Melora, and Berthold were gone. Alfred could not help but feel disappointed. When he hurried outside, he spotted them and called out, âMelora.â
It was dark outside, and Julia had already gotten into the car.
Berthold was sitting on Juliaâs lap, and Melora was about to get into the car.
Alfred came over to hold the door. He patted Bertholdâs head and said gently, âYou must listen to your mommy, okay?â
Berthold nodded.
Although he looked much like the Lodges, he was a soft individual, a trait he inherited from Melora.
Alfred talked to Julia for a while before Julia said to her daughter, âTalk to him.â
She seemed open-minded about the matter, but that was because David had persuaded her many times. And perhaps she could finally understand her daughter, so she decided to leave this matter to them instead.
Melora was dragged to the car by Alfred.
Alfred personally drove. After a while, Melora could not help but mock, âMr. Lodge, why are you still looking for me? I thought you wanted to prioritize your career. Arenât you even willing to give up your body for your career?â
Although she knew that he did not genuinely love Caylie, she still felt jealous.
He had said that he admired Caylie as she was independent.
When Alfred heard her words that were laced with jealousy, he chuckled and asked, âAre you jealous?â
Melora fell silent. She leaned against the seat and stared out the window.
She wanted to sever ties with him, but they had a child.
When the car stopped, her eyes were misty. She noticed he had brought her to the river. âAlfred, what are you trying to do?â
Allred turned to look at her.
He looked at Melora, who was no longer young. Although she remained pretty, she did not look as youthful as before.
Still, he loved her.
He leaned back against the seat as well, then reached out to touch her.
He said, âCrystal called me. She told me about what happened to you over the past few years.â
There were some things he found it difficult to say.
Melora was born into a wealthy family. If not for her falling in love with him, she would not have needed to ever suffer in her life.
In other words, all her misery originated from him.
Melora wanted to pull her hand back, but he would not let her.
He gently wiped away the tears from her eyes. âI didnât get engaged. I canceled it. I was afraid that youâd be unhappy.â
Meloraâs heart skipped a beat, but she did not speak.
Alfred did not offer any more explanations. He just took the rare opportunity to hold her. shoulders.
He had grown older, and so had their son. Yet, the only time they had truly been together had only been half a year, and that had been a long-distance relationship too.
He felt sorry for her and was somewhat remorseful.
However, upon reflection, he realized he had no other choice.
At night, Henry put Skyler to sleep.
When he returned to his room, Crystal had just finished her shower. She seemed relaxed as she sat at the vanity to perform her skincare routine. Unable to help himself, he walked over to hug her from behind. âWe finally get to be alone.â
Crystal leaned her head against his shoulder and stared at his eyes through the mirror.
Their eyes met.
Henry leaned over to kiss her.
Crystal was a little surprised, but she still relaxed her body to kiss him back. His desire seemed to have grown, so she moved to sit on his lap and kissed his chin Henry halted.
However, he kept his hands on her waist as he said, âCrystal, letâs talk.â
Crystal knew he really wanted it, but since he was not going to initiate it, she could not bring herself to continue.
She leaned in his arms and hummed in agreement. The next thing she heard was him mentioning Clementine.
It was a name she had not heard for a long while.
Henry stroked her hair and said, âDonât go to the class reunion if you donât want to. Donât make yourself upset.â
On nights as such, their actions seemed intimate as they engaged in conversations a couple would have.
Crystal lay on his shoulder and replied, âSheâs the one who did something wrong. Am I supposed to hide at home because of her?â
She had been calm since the incident.
She had wanted to avoid it, as any woman whose private night matters had been exposed would definitely feel ashamed about it. However, Crystal was not just Crystal. She was a mother too.
While she could hide away from it, Skyler had to go to school. In the future, Remi would. need to go to school as well.
No matter how tough it was, she had to face it.
Her voice was soft as she said, âBesides, I still have you, donât I?â
Henry was moved. He could not help but kiss her cheeks before moving down to her lips. In a muffled voice, he said, âCrystal, youâll still trust me, right? Our relationship isnât that bad, right?â
He thirsted for love, and Crystal understood that, so she let him kiss her.
She thought that at least one of them had to stay mentally healthy.
She lifted her head and gently hum in response.
Crystal was wearing a champagne-colored silk pajama. Henry had always liked her body, and she seemed exceptionally alluring to him that night. It had been a month since he had touched her, so he carried her and brought her to the bed.
As her body sunk into the soft mattress, he looked down at her and said in his husky voice, âCrystal, letâs give it a try.â
Crystal closed her eyes.
Unlike always, this time, he focused on letting her feel good.
It was hard for Crystal to immerse herself in the moment, but he kept cupping her face and asking her how she felt in a low voice. He was so considerate to the point tears nearly welled up in her eyes. In the end, she hugged him and mumbled, âIâm done, Henry.â
She wished that he would be quick.
Henry kissed her forehead before licking her tears away. He was her man, so how could he not realize her lies? He continued comforting her for a long, long while until she was about. to fall asleep. Only then did he quietly get out of bed.
When the sound of running water came from the bathroom, Crystal opened her eyes.
She turned to rest her cheek against the pillow as she listened to the hoarse voice coming from the bathroom.
She would be lying if she said she felt nothing about it.
If a man was willing to hold back for a woman, it was a good indication that he valued her.
There were some things Crystal could not change, but she wanted him to be happier, or at least more normal.