Henry returned quite late in the evening, around nine oâclock.
Crystal was accompanying Skyler to play the piano.
Skyler, dressed in a skirt, sat up straight, playing with grace and poise.
Henry took off his coat, tossed it on the couch, then walked over and leaned beside Crystal. âShe just got discharged from the hospital. Why didnât you let her rest for a couple more days?â
He cared for the child but he also couldnât bring himself to blame Crystal.
Crystal smiled faintly. âShe wanted to play.â
She caught whiffs of alcohol on him and asked in an undertone. âDid you attend a social gathering?â
Henry chuckled, gently caressed her back, and said softly. âMake me a plate of spaghetti. I didnât eat much tonight and only drank most of the time.â
Complicated emotions filled her gaze, She got up, about to go to the kitchen to make him a plate of spaghetti when he wrapped his arms around her and lowered his head to press his nose against hers.
âThere were young ladies there, but I didnât let them get close to me. Crystal, I wonât do anything to upset you.â
Crystal flushed bright red and bit her lip. âI didnât say anything!â
Henry riveted his pensive gaze on her. âBut I wanted to keep you informed.â
Crystal couldnât withstand his gaze, which was filled with a clear, amorous look unique to a man whose libido was high. She glanced at Skyler, hinting at him to show some restraint.
Only then did Henry let go of her.
He sat down beside Skyler, stroking her curly hair. âWhy did our precious daughter become so diligent all of a sudden?â
Skyler stopped playing and climbed onto Henryâs lap. She kissed her father and said, âQueenie Leeson played the piano at the kindergarten today, and Christopher kept staring at her!â
She hung her head, looking dejected. Queenie has been learning piano for a year and plays better than me!
Henry couldnât help but laugh. Sheâs so young, yet sheâs already feeling jealous!
He held his daughter. âIn that case, you must practice harder than usual, Skyler. Then, youâll definitely perform better than her!â
Skyler blushed.
She glided her delicate little fingers over the piano keys and fell silent for some time before mumbling. âBut I want to be a lawyer when I grow up!â
Henry pecked her cheek. âThese two matters donât clash. Becoming a lawyer is something you do when you grow up. Now, you can learn the piano first.â
His words gave Skyler an out.
She clenched his little fists. Thatâs right. Iâm not doing this for Christopher!
While they were talking, Crystal had already finished preparing the plate of spaghetti and set it on the dining table.
Henry patted his daughterâs head and encouraged her to keep playing. Only when Skyler went to take her shower at night did Crystal have the time to discuss serious matters with him.
The sound of Skyler taking a bath came from the bathroom inside the kidâs bedroom while Crystal tidied. the room.
Henry sat on the couch, watching her figure from behind, feeling a stir in his heart. Crystal has really come back. Sheâs looking after the household like a wife.
He loved having her by his side.
âDonât you have anything to say to me?â Henry spoke in a low and hoarse voice.
Holding Skylerâs pajamas, Crystal turned around and responded, âI saw it! Henry, Skyler is still young. You donât have to decide her future so early.â
Henry took out a cigarette from his pocket and fiddled with it instead of lighting it.
He extended his hand toward her.
Crystal hesitated briefly before sitting down next to him. Unable to contain her emotion, she called out his name again, âHenry!â
He caressed her face and said huskily, I invited Christopherâs father to play golf today and discuss a project. Also, I invested two hundred million in his company.â
Crystal was against it. âHenry, money canât buy affection!â
Henry gazed at her and smiled. âBut it can buy Skylerâs safety.â
Due to Skylerâs unique body constitution, she needed someone like Christopher by her side. The match in their family backgrounds was secondary. What mattered the most was the Rh-negative blood Christopher possessed.
Moreover, Christopher was a remarkable child with an ambitious character.
Henryâs intuition had prompted him to make that decision.
Crystal wasnât pleased with the decision, but she couldnât pinpoint any fault in his judgment.
Henry hugged her slender waist and said tenderly, âCrystal, I know youâll be upset, so arenât we having a discussion now?â
Crystal laughed in exasperation. âYouâre not discussing with me. Clearly, youâve made up your mind!â
Henry stared at her.
A few moments later, he smiled and said. âYouâre right. Iâve made up my mind, and Iâm just waiting for your approval now, Mrs.
Miller.â
Crystal wasnât going to entertain him since he was just brazenly teasing her.
Just then, Skyler came out of the bathroom.
Crystalâs anger dissipated instantaneously.
She took a towel and wiped her daughter dry before helping her change into her pajamas.
Henry went downstairs to pour Skyler a bottle of milk, When he returned upstairs, he saw that Crystal was dressed in loungewear, looking as if she was ready to accompany Skyler to sleep. Henry smiled and handed the bottle of milk to Skyler. âYouâll be sleeping with Mommy and Daddy tonight, Skyler.â
Crystal said nothing to that.
Holding her milk bottle and clinging to her father, Skyler whined about going to her parentâs room.
Henry curled his lips into a faint smile and carried Skyler into the master bedroom in his arms. After taking a few steps forward, he even deliberately looked back at Crystal. âArenât you coming?â
Crystal was in the back, dawdling.
Dim and warm yellow lights illuminated the master bedroom.
Henry placed Skyler on the bed, then examined the injury on her leg. A scab had formed over the wound, and the sight of it caused his heart to ache. He couldnât help but give her daughter a kiss.
Crystal watched him.
He was no longer the same Henry she knew before. Perhaps when they were alone, he still liked to flirt with her shamelessly and was unrestrained in the bedroom, but he was undeniably a good father.
While she was in a daze, she didnât realize Henry had shifted his gaze onto her, regarding her with a gentle look in his eyes.
Under the dimly lit surroundings, he reached across Skyler and took Crystalâs hand, whispering, âAre you still mad?â
Crystal traced his palm with his delicate fingers. âIâm not mad anymore for now.â
âIn that case, shall I invite Mr. Ziegler and his family over to be our guests?â
Crystal had the urge to take back her words.
Henry smirked. âCrystal, if youâre still angry, why donât you come and torment me?â
Crystal ignored him and shut her eyes to sleep. Heâs truly shameless!
However, in the middle of the night, Henry discreetly rolled over and effortlessly pinned her down on the bed.
Crystal whimpered, âDonât do this here. Letâs go to the guest room. Skyler might wake up.â
Henry picked her up, kissing her as they went.
He had left her in a state of disarray by the time they reached the guest room.
After the passionate session ended, she rested her head on his shoulder, feeling utterly exhausted and sleepy.
Still, she asked, âHenry, why are you so horny all the time?â
He was lying on his back initially, but after listening to her remark, he turned on his side and gazed at her delicate features in the dark. âCrystal, Iâm thirty-three years old now. Why donât you try counting how much time weâve actually spent together in the past five years? Iâve dedicated the prime of my life to you.â
Crystal touched his face. âAnd whose fault is that?â
Perhaps the ambiance in the middle of the night had caused both of them to be less emotionally resistant. They could calmly talk about things they were reluctant or didnât dare to mention on usual days.
âMine,â he replied hoarsely. âCrystal, please stop blaming me, all right? Iâll treat you well from now on.â
He couldnât stop himself from pulling her close, holding her tightly in his arms.
He had lost her for too long.
Aside from satisfying his sexual needs, he always wanted to engage in coitus with her because he desperately yearned to prove that she still belonged to him.
The night was still young.
Henry rolled over and copulated with Crystal again.