Chapter 242: Chapter 242 Giving Skyler A Family

Joshua heard David’s order to forbid the Quinn family members from entering the Miller residence when he arrived.

He stood awkwardly at the front door and asked shakily, “Are you really cutting ties with me, David?”

Spying Joshua’s pale, sickly complexion, David felt a twinge of guilt.

Still, David had other roles to prioritize.

He was the head of the Miller family, Crystal’s father-in-law, and Skyler’s grandfather. His family could not afford to be entangled with the Quinn family any longer in order to protect Crystal and her daughter. David hardened his heart and nodded. “That’s right!

Our friendship ends here!”

Joshua leaned heavily against the door handle, looking as though he was about to fall at any moment.

Is my decades-long friendship with David fated to end as well? What have I done wrong? Why can’t I seem to hold on to the people who matter to me?

He did not realize he had mused out loud, and David replied, “As a man, you should’ve been more decisive! If you had chased after Krystal after her misunderstanding, you wouldn’t be in this state today! You loved one woman but felt sorry for another, and that led you to make more and more mistakes! Today, you want to acknowledge Crystal as your daughter, yet you selfishly expected her to welcome Audrey with open arms. Joshua... what a mess you’ve made!”

Joshua blanched before looking toward Crystal and Skyler.

He was thankful, at least, that he still had an opportunity to see them.

Joshua only had one wish before he died. He asked Crystal hesitantly, “Can you call me ‘Dad’ once?”

Crystal stared at him calmly.

She was never one to drag her feet about things. She rejected his request and said, “Take care, Mr. Quinn.”

Hearing that, his expression paled even further.

A wry smile curved his lips, and he took a pretty trinket out of his pocket. It was a crystal toy that he had bought for Skyler. Alas, his hands shook so much that he lost his grip on the trinket, which shattered into pieces as it fell to the ground.

One of the crystal shards happened to cut Skyler’s calf, drawing blood.

Henry hurriedly carried Skyler and pressed a tissue against her wound. Then, he said to Crystal softly, “There’s anti-blood-

clotting medication in her bag!”

Crystal quickly found the medication in Skyler’s bag and fed a pill to her daughter.

Blood continued to seep out of the wound on Skyler’s leg. The child was frightened of blood and whimpered in pl in her father’s embrace.

Henry gazed at his daughter tenderly and tried his best to comfort her.

His annoyance at Joshua was also palpable in his gaze.

Meanwhile, Joshua was taken aback at the turn of events.

He only wanted to give the child a toy and did not mean to cause her any harm.

David’s heart ached as he witnessed his granddaughter’s discomfort. He said to Joshua coolly, “I won’t blame you since you didn’t mean it. Joshua... just go. Don’t bother Crystal from now on. She has suffered enough. Let her live her life in peace!”

Joshua left, feeling utterly dispirited.

At the door, Georgina could not help but grumble, “It’s just a small cut! What’s the big deal? Henry looked angry enough to kill you!”

Rhea jumped in and added, “That child is way too pampered!”

To his credit, Joshua remained silent.

Once they were gone, David reached over and carried Skyler.

He planted several kisses on his granddaughter’s head and cooed, “Does it still hurt?”

“Yes!” Skyler’s face was scrunched in pain as she whined. “Blow on it, Grandpa.”

David acceded to Skyler’s request easily and blew lightly on her leg.

It looked so out-of-character that the young girl eventually smiled.

David adjusted his hold on Skyler and said to Crystal, “She looks like a carbon copy of you, but she behaves exactly like Henry!”

He sounded incredibly proud as he spoke.

Crystal smiled weakly in reply, but her heart swelled with worry.

Henry held her hand comfortingly and said, “Skyler has Rh-negative blood and hemophilia. I’m Rh- positive, so I can’t give her my blood. Her blood type is also rare in the blood bank, so we need to raise her more carefully compare to other children.”

The implications in his words were loud and clear.

One of them had to sacrifice their career to become Skyler’s full-time caregiver.

Crystal mumbled in agreement.

Sensing that the topic was too heavy, Julia shot her son a sidelong glance and invited Crystal to have tea with her in the garden.

Soon enough, only David, Henry, and Skyler were left in the living room.

David continued to hold Skyler in his lap. He looked at his son and asked, “What are you thinking. Henry? Are the two of you not planning to introduce my precious Skyler as a Miller?”

Exasperated, Henry explained, “Dad, there’s a process to this. I can’t possibly drag Crystal to the marriage registrar this instant!

Plus, I think it’s great that we’re living together now.”

Beside them, Skyler chimed in, “Mommy always sleeps with me!”

Henry was speechless at his child’s admission.

David glared at him and questioned, “That’s how you’re raising Skyler?”

When he turned to his granddaughter, his demeanor changed entirely. He declared sweetly, “Your grandpa will fix their relationship!”

Skyler giggled in amusement.

She settled comfortably in her grandfather’s lap and planted kisses all over David’s face. Occasionally, she pressed her cheek against his stubble-covered jaw.

David’s affection for his granddaughter only ballooned.

His expression turned serious as he asked Henry. “When will you take over my position at the company, Henry? Since Crystal is pursuing her own career too, why don’t I look after Skyler for you?”

Henry knew exactly what David was suggesting.

He sipped some coffee and replied carefully, “Dad, I’m busy enough with Seeas Corporation. If I have to manage Miller Corporation too, I’ll probably die from exhaustion!”

David chuckled and said, “Nah, it won’t kill you! You look pretty energetic to me!”

The shrewd old man already knew that Henry and Crystal didn’t behave like a married couple and were only putting on an act for Skyler.

My son is useless!

On the other side, Julia was having tea with Crystal.

A stringent skincare routine kept Julia looking as elegant and beautiful as ever. Sadly, her brows were always crinkled with concern over Henry and Crystal’s recent troubles.

Until now, Crystal still could not bring herself to call Julia “Mrs. Miller.”

Instead, she addressed Julia as her mom and poured tea for her. The crease in Julia’s brows instantly smoothened out.

Julia said gently, “I’ve been wanting to visit you, but I was worried I would disturb you! Crystal... of course I hope you can forgive Henry, but I can’t deny he made a huge mistake in the past! If you’re still upset at him, you have my full support to teach him a lesson or two!”

She clasped Crystal’s hands as she spoke.

Crystal was no match for the warmth and sincerity in her former mother-in-law’s words.

She looked up and met Julia’s gaze.

Just then, Henry arrived and stopped beside Crystal. He placed his hands naturally on her shoulder and said tenderly, “Lunch is ready. Let’s go back to eat.”

Crystal hummed in acknowledgment.

They seemed to get along well, which delighted Julia, yet there were still other concerns in her mind.

While Melora occasionally called her family, she never came home for a visit.

Later that afternoon, Skyler stayed at the Miller residence while Crystal headed out to meet Madison for afternoon tea.

Henry, who was headed to his office, offered her a lift.

In the car, he turned to Crystal and asked, “Are you tired?”

Crystal shot him a faint smile and asked, “Because of Skyler?”

Henry silently ran his hands across his seat belt. He was worried that seeing Audrey earlier that morning brought back unpleasant memories for Crystal.

He was more than ready to declare his unwavering love for Crystal, yet she did not seem to care for his affection.

Henry had never felt so lost in his life.

He wanted to make her the center of his world, yet he had no idea if she would accept his proposal.

Mistaking his question to be about Skyler, Crystal closed her eyes and replied, “She’s too adorable!”

Why would I ever feel exhausted around her? I would sacrifice anything for my daughter.

Henry stopped talking and stepped on the gas pedal. A while later, he pulled up outside a cafe.

To show how much he prioritized Crystal, he would also respect her friends.

He alighted from the car with her and said hello to Madison. He even patted Madison’s son on the head before leaving.

After he left, Madison smiled and commented, “He’s really a different person from before!”

Crystal got herself an iced coffee and stirred it before taking a sip.

Only then did she ask wryly, “How so?”

Madison whispered, “He’s just completely different! Henry used to be as distant as the moon and impossible to approach. Now, he’s slumming it out with us common folks.”

She gave her friend a thumbs-up and praised, “You have done a good job!”

Crystal smiled meekly in response.

Madison patted her hand and continued, “Don’t think of it as nothing! To be honest, he’s treating you very well! You should accept him after a few more tests here and there. Just look at that body and that face. Where else will you find a man like that?”

Blushing, Crystal retorted, “Should I be with him just because of his looks and physique?”

Madison glanced at her son and dropped her volume further, whispering conspiratorially, “Judging by his body, I bet he’s pretty gifted in bed too!”

Crystal almost spat out the coffee in her mouth.

She quickly glanced at Rupert.

Thank goodness this child isn’t as perceptive as Skyler!

Crystal opened her mouth to reply to Madison, but she froze a second later as she spotted something out of the corner of her eye.

That’s Melora!