Chapter 339: Chapter 339

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.”

Clementine laughed. “How petty!” Once the server was gone, she 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 your side forever? Don’t you think he’ll cheat on you?”

Although Madison’s weight had changed, her temper remained the same.

Stip Clementine into oblivion.

However, Crystal stopped her and flashed Clementine a smile. “You don’t need to worry about that. Now that you’re finally married. Miss Dynah, why don’t you stay at home and keep an eye on your husband instead? Why are you so concerned about other people’s business? Are you having trouble changing your ways despite getting married?”

Clementine grew livid. D’mn you and your tongue, Crystal In her fury, she was about to retort when someone suddenly grabbed her arm.

When she raised her head, she saw that it was Robert.

Robert was in a business suit, and it was clear that he was there for a business meeting. His eyes were filled with mixed emotions as he looked at the trio.

“Robert?” Clementine had not seen him in a long time.

Robert dragged her out of the dessert shop.

The rough way he handled Clementine stunned Madison. She whispered to Crystal, “Here comes her handler. I wish Robert would sleep with her so that her husband would catch her red-handed cheating on him!”

Crystal glanced at Madison, who added, “She was mean to you. Even if you don’t tell me anything. I know she’s the one behind this. There are few in this world who have a heart as evil as hers.”

A small smile crept onto Crystal’s lips, and she slowly finished the rest of her coffee.

At the exit of the hotel, Robert pinned Clementine against the wall and glared at her. Clementine returned the glare with equal viciousness, They, too, had history.

However, their reunion was not a happy one.

After a long while, Clementine sneered, “How faithful you are, Robert. 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, you’ll never win her over even if Henry can’t have her.”

The way Crystal had acted like a saint carlier irked her.

How? How? How is Crystal able to make Henry so faithful to her despite not 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. I won’t believe Henry’s words. How many men can hold themselves back? Robert, Zachary, and more ended up sleeping with me. I want Crystal’s family to be in ruins!

Robert abruptly let go of Clementine, seemingly flustered. Clementine was right. When he heard the recording-when he heard Crystal say that she no longer believed in Henry’s love and talk about their issues, as well as how they only slept together once a month-he had been delighted.

He knew that the thoughts in his head were perverse and absurd, but he could not stop himself.

His thoughts were evident on his face, and Clementine registered them all. She rubbed her face in frustration and asked, “Robert, what do you really like about her?”

Robert fell silent.

Even he could not tell what made him so infatuated with Crystal.

All he knew was that the memories of their four-year relationship could never fade away from his mind..

Perhaps the regret was what brought sorrow into his soul.

In the evening, Crystal said goodbye to Madison.

Joel eagerly opened the car door for her. “The timing is perfect to pick up Skyler now. She will be thrilled.

to see you.”

Among the children in the family, Skyler was undoubtedly the most endearing.

It was impossible not to adore a fair-skinned, charming little girl like her.

Crystal chuckled aloud.

Just as she was about to get into the car, someone gripped her wrist. It was none other than Robert.

Crystal shook him off. “Do you need something, Mr. Sloan?”

Joel immediately grumbled, “It’s broad daylight, and you’re making advances on a married woman. Can’t you find a partner of your own?”

Robert ignored Joel and fixed his gaze on Crystal.

His voice was deep as he asked, “Crystal, is it possible for us to get back together?”

Crystal offered a faint smile and responded calmly, “Robert, I don’t recall giving you any indication that I’ll reconsider forgiving you after moving forward.”

With that, she got into the car.

Joel slammed the door shut and glared at Robert.

The car was slowly driven away.

Robert stood still, lost in thought.

He had known Crystal for over a decade and had mixed feelings for her. The thought of letting her go 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 in the past.

If he hadn’t sent John to jail, perhaps Crystal would have still trusted and loved him.

They might have remained together. Crystal would have been his wife, caring for their home and children.

Unfortunately, in reality, there are no ifs.

Robert wasn’t in a good mood. At night, when he was socializing with his business partners, he drank a lot of liquor.

By the time the clock struck nine in the evening, he was thoroughly inebriated.

To his surprise, he bumped into Henry in the restroom. It was clear that the latter was here for business.

While one was a lost soul drowning in alcohol, the other remained clear-headed.

Henry wore a well-fitted suit, exuding an air of charm at the age of thirty-five, firmly in his prime. His personal life was devoid of scandals, and he appeared much the same, albeit with a more discreet profile than before.

Their eyes met in the reflection of the mirror.

Robert let out an audible snort as he extracted a cigarette, leaned against the wall, and lit it up.

After taking a deep drag, he turned to Henry. “You’re at such a place but you tidy yourself up before you go. Are you worried about upsetting Crystal?”

Henry turned off the faucet and straightened his shirt in front of the mirror.

“Mr. Sloan, is mocking people your only skill nowadays?”

Robert merely snorted in response.

He raised his head, exhaled a plume of smoke, and said, “Henry, I didn’t lose to you. I lost to the younger version of myself.”

As he spoke, he felt a heart-wrenching pain.

Then, he fell into a daze as he lowered his head and stared at the cigarette in his hands.

After a while, he broke the silence. “You may have lost some of your memories, but the memories. between Crystal and me remain intact. I find it hard to believe that you don’t mind that.”

Henry grabbed a piece of tissue to wipe his hands.

Flashing a faint smile, he replied, “Yes, I do mind. Any man would. But what does it matter? Mr. Sloan, I’m the one beside Crystal every night as she sleeps. I understand your concerns. Scandals are inconsequential, and our relationship won’t be swayed by a few words.”

With that, he turned on his heels and left.

He appeared revitalized. After he concluded the business discussion, there was no lingering scent of perfume on him. It seemed he intended to return home. He didn’t drink and drove himself back.

Robert, on the other hand, was puking his guts out at the club.

When Henry arrived home, he found Crystal teaching Skyler how to play the piano. Their lesson was nearing its end.

A cradle was positioned nearby with Remi amusing himself inside with his tiny fingers.

Henry approached them and bent down to plant a kiss on his son. He asked casually, “Has he eaten? If he hasn’t, I’ll prepare some baby food for him.”

Crystal told Skyler to continue practicing herself.

She lifted Remi and passed the little boy to Henry, “Hold him. He’s going to be overweight. The doctor advised us to reduce his food intake.”

Henry chuckled aloud.

It seemed that Remi had gained weight ever since he began taking care of the little boy.

As he played with Remi, he teased her, “Why didn’t you gain weight like him, though?”

Every night, he would hug her to sleep. She was still as slender as ever.

Crystal shot him a look. “Should I work hard to gain weight?”

Naturally, Henry wouldn’t want that. He appreciated her slender waist. However, he wouldn’t wish for her to eat less. Crystal was much stricter with herself in this regard.

She observed him holding their child and recalled what the psychiatrist had said previously.

She muttered, “Should we have another child?”

Henry looked up, his gaze slightly dark.

That evening. Joel had called him to inform him about Crystal encountering Robert, and Robert had provoked him earlier. Truth be told, he did mind their past relationship.

He was concerned that Crystal might be disappointed in him and end up reminiscing about her previous relationship.

He asked, “Do you love children?”

“I do.”

Henry lowered his head and planted a kiss on Remi’s chubby cheek. In a seemingly casual tone, he asked, “Do you love me, then?”

It was evident to Crystal that he was beating around the bush.

As the atmosphere grew awkward, Skyler rushed over, having completed her practice. She wrapped her arms around Henry’s legs, insisting that he lift her up.

Henry picked her up.

He was strong enough to hold both the kids. Turning to Crystal, he asked, “You keep saying that Skyler is independent. Look at how clingy she is. How is this her being independent?”

Crystal was used to spoiling the kids.

She was about to respond when Skyler wrapped her arms around Henry’s neck and protested, “Mommy is still not independent as an adult. Why would you want me to be independent, Daddy?”

She was right.

Crystal glanced at Henry and chuckled softly.

She gently patted Skyler’s head and said, “I’m going to take a shower. You play with them for a while. Skyler couldn’t stop talking about you earlier.”

She then headed upstairs.

Perhaps she felt hot, for she tied up her hair into a bun as she walked up the stairs, revealing her slender neck.

Henry couldn’t help but glance at it.

Skyler sighed and said to Remi. “Remi, you should learn to be independent soon!”

Daddy keeps thinking about going on dates.

After putting both kids to bed, Henry returned to the bedroom that was enveloped by a warm glow.

Crystal, clad in a bathrobe, was reading a book in bed.

Henry stood at the door and began loosening his tie Robert’s words still echoed in his mind, so he deliberately started a conversation. “Isn’t your class reunion in two days? Have you prepared a dress?”

Crystal put her book down, admiring the sight of him taking off his clothes.

A moment later, she offered a smile. “It’s just a university anniversary celebration. There will be plenty of people, so there’s no need to be too high profile.”

Henry tossed his shirt away and leaned closer to murmur in her car. “Mrs. Miller, you actually take care of yourself well.”

From a man’s perspective, Crystal’s looks and figure were perfect.

Asher husband, he liked them a lot.

Crystal noticed his gaze and his disheveled appearance. She hooked her arm around his neck and leaned in to kiss him, thinking he wanted to be intimate, After a while, Henry showed no signs of proceeding.

She sneaked a glance at him.

Henry caressed her cheek and said in a hoarse voice, “I bumped into Robert at the club earlier. Will he be there at the celebration?”

She leaned on his shoulder and replied honestly, “I have no idea.”

Henry pinned her down on the bed and sought for more.

“If he’s going to be there, I’ll be there, too.”

Crystal lay on the black sheets, her bathrobe slightly loosened, revealing her stunning figure. She caressed his handsome face and burst into laughter. “Henry, you’re so childish!”

Two universities had joined hands to celebrate their anniversary.

It was none of his business.

Henry pulled her into his arms and fished out his phone from his pocket to call Charles.

“Charles, are you having fun outside?” Henry was very tactful in his questioning.

Charles immediately said, “I’m married. I wouldn’t dare have fun outside. What’s up?”

Henry cast a glance at Crystal before letting out a soft chuckle. “Are you and Madison planning to attend the university anniversary celebration wearing matching outfits?”