Crystal gazed at Clementine, whose expression betrayed her.
There was no evidence, so Crystal wasnât about to waste her time. She merely said, âClementine, you have never loved him. You only love yourself.â
To Clementine, Robert was just a toy out of her reach.
Her feelings for him were twisted.
With that, Crystal spun on her heels and left.
She moved with a slow and deliberate pace, leaning on Edith for support. Despite the circumstances, she remained composed and unaffected.
Clementine was overwhelmed with jealousy.
Crystal possessed immense power, wealth, and the affection of numerous devoted admirers.
If it werenât for Sylvester, she might have perished that day. Without her presence, Clementine was certain her life would undoubtedly improve!
Back at Seeas Corporation, Henry completed the stack of paperwork and stood by the window, holding a cup of coffee.
He gazed out of the window at the white sky, which indicated that snowfall was imminent.
Behind him, Jamie reported, âCrystal went to the graveyard, but she is now back at the hospital.â
Henryâs grip on the cup tightened, but he said nothing.
It began to snow outside.
Christmas was approaching, and their family would have the chance to celebrate together. Yet, in light of recent events, including that dream, Henry couldnât help but suspect that Crystal still held complex and unresolved emotions.
Henry could understand her feelings.
There was good news that she was unaware of, though, He had already regained his memories.
The following day, Crystal was discharged from the hospital.
The Miller family initially wanted to celebrate it by holding a banquet, but since Crystal was pregnant, they decided to just celebrate it at home.
Downstairs, the lamb stew had been prepared and filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma that had the children eagerly eyeing it. Henry gathered the kids and had them sit in their chairs while he went upstairs to invite Crystal to join them.
The living space on the second floor was well-heated.
Crystal was reading a parenting book on the couch comfortably.
Henry stood at the door, watching her silently.
She was dressed in a pink oversized sweater and a floral skirt. While she didnât appear visibly pregnant, he attire accentuated her womanly figure.
They had been intimate back at the hospital, but it wasnât the same as doing it back home.
Henry approached her and bent down to kiss her earlobe. He teased her, âYouâve given birth twice, so why are you still reading this?â
Crystal naturally indulged in a kiss with him.
After a long while, she said coyly, âI want the childâs father to read it, too. I canât be the only one having it tough.â
Henry reminisced about the past, remembering how he had insisted on traveling to the Kingdom of Brundela for a case on the day Crystal gave birth to Skyler. That very day, their mansion had exploded.
When Crystal gave birth to Remi, she hadnât been able to rest properly due to Laraâs presence.
He felt his heart ache when he recalled all that.
Sitting beside her, Henry pressed his forehead to hers. âIâll take good care of the childrenâs mother. Donât worry, teacher!â
Crystal gazed at him, her lashes trembling.
Teacher? Has he regained his memories?
Without offering an explanation, Henry drew her into his embrace and retrieved something from his pocket, delicately placing it in Crystalâs hand. âThis is for you. Keep it safe!â
Crystal lowered her head and discovered a repaired locket in her hand, the very same one that Robert had given her.
Without it, she wouldâve died back then.
Crystal touched it and asked, âSince when were you so generous, Mr. Miller?â
It was clear she had not forgotten about the dream.
Henry gazed at her and chuckled softly. âWhen have I not been generous? Pray tell.â
Crystal chuckled softly in response.
Henryâs heart swelled with affection as he observed her gentle demeanor, He was certain that he was deeply in love with her, but after regaining his memories, the sensation felt somehow different.
The memories and experiences that he and Crystal had shared were not known to others and were not documented in the diary.
Those intimate details were known only to the two of them.
Henry placed his chin on Crystalâs shoulders and told her, âLetâs celebrate Christmas outside, okay?â
Crystal grabbed a box to keep the locket safe.
She asked casually, âWhere are you planning to celebrate Christmas?â
âAt the condominium.â
Hearing that, Crystal felt her cheeks turn pink. After all, in the dream, they had shared countless intimate moments in the condominium. It was evident that he had some ulterior motives for bringing it up now.
With the box in her hands, she turned to plant a gentle kiss on his cheek and tenderly caressed his handsome face before giving a hum of acknowledgment.
Henry was pleased, but he still felt like comparing. Pulling Crystal into his arms, he asked, âCrystal, am I better than Robert to you?â
Even with three kids, he couldnât shake the feeling of insecurity.
Crystal could sense that he cared about her, and she enjoyed that thoroughly.
As they prepared to head downstairs for the meal, she asked worriedly, âHas your leg recovered completely?â
Henry picked her up. âI can bring you downstairs without any problem.â
Crystal punched him shyly. âLet me down! Mom and Dad are downstairs!â
âNo. Weâre a married couple,â he murmured as he pressed a kiss to her lips.
Downstairs, Henryâs parents said nothing as they were used to the sight.
However, there was a guest-Alfred.
There was still snow clinging to Alfredâs coat, indicating that he had just arrived. As soon as he walked in and saw Henry holding Crystal, he couldnât help but sneer, âHa! It seems like as Henry gets older, he becomes more of a romantic.â
No one knew that Henry had regained his memories.
Eager to assert himself, Henry seated Crystal in a chair and offered an insouciant smile. âUncle Alfred, Iâm only thirty-five!â he retorted.
Alfred stiffened.
Henry glanced at Berthold, who was sitting at the dining table quietly, not daring to greet his father.
He patted the little boyâs head and said, âYour Great-uncle Alfred is here. Why did you not greet him?â
Berthold obediently greeted, âGreat-uncle Alfred!â
Hearing that, Alfred smacked his sonâs head lightly. âSilly boy!â
He didnât forget to give Henry a dark look. He can trick the rest but not me. He mustâve remembered something.
Recognizing the couple was having a bit of fun, Alfred chose not to divulge the truth.
Seated next to Melora, he spoke softly. âIâve been quite busy lately and only managed to visit when I had a spare half-day. Iâll have to catch a flight later, though.â
If he failed to catch the flight, he would have to take the car back.
Melora said nothing.
A few months ago, he had started preparations for their new home. During that time, she had felt that things were finally improving and had even considered agreeing to marry him. However, he was often busy with work, causing her to wait endlessly.
Thus, she gradually lost trust in him.
Alfred knew that well, but as they werenât alone, he couldnât explain himself.
The meal was a lively affair. Alfred couldnât help but feel jealous as he watched Henry assist Crystal with the dishes. He envied their seemingly complete family. Despite the obstacles they had faced, they had managed to stay together.
He wished he could throw aside everything and be like them.
Loneliness and disappointment washed over him.
Berthold offered him some food. âEat up, Daddy.â
Hearing that, Alfred felt his heart soften. He patted his sonâs head before turning to his sonâs mother, Melora feigned ignorance.
She still had an advertisement shoot after the meal, so her assistant was already waiting in the car.
When she went to the bathroom, Alfred followed her inside.
He gazed at her gorgeous face through the mirror and asked, âCanât you push the shoot back? Itâs rare for us to get to meet each other.â
After reapplying her lipstick, Melora turned around and pushed him. âIâm going to be late!â
Alfred refused to let her leave.
Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist and locked the door of the bathroom.
Melora wasnât strong enough to push him away.
She leaned against the wall and looked up, her eyes vacant.
Gently, she said, âAlfred, youâre always occupied and busy with something or other. I donât believe you even remember our sonâs birthday. I understand that my job isnât a priority to you, so you think I should accommodate your schedule. When youâre here, I need to reschedule my work. However, do you have any idea how many people I have to notify and how many favors I have to owe if I keep rearranging my commitments? You never think about that. Youâve always neglected my feelings!â
Perhaps she was too disappointed, for she revealed her thoughts without hesitation.
She had thought it through. Rather than waiting for Alfred, she would lead a fulfilling life.
Besides, she needed to speak up on behalf of Berthold, too.
Alfredâs gaze turned dark.
He couldnât explain himself, but he could feel that the young lady who kept clinging to him in the past had grown up.
Alas, he would rather she remain innocent forever.
Melora felt sad as she didnât want to fight with him.
Lowering her head, she mumbled, âIâm going. When are you leaving? If you have some free time, spend it with Berthold. He should be starting kindergarten at his age. You donât realize how much he envies Skyler and Christopher.â
Alfred was upset to hear that.
He still refused to let her leave. Holding her shoulder with one hand, he used another hand to pull out a cigarette and lit it up.
After smoking half of it, he extinguished it and leaned closer to kiss her.
Alfredâs kiss was deep, but he merely kissed her without doing anything, filling her body with his scent.
Melora initially resisted his advances but soon caved in Tears welled in her eyes.
Alfred released her, but he gently pressed his forehead against hers as he straightened out her clothes affectionately.
He was the reason she had to suffer.
The project would definitely be completed by the end of the year, but Alfred didnât dare promise her anything as he was afraid of disappointing her again.
A long while later, he whispered, âDonât let Berthold see you cry, or heâll think I bullied you.â
Feeling aggrieved, Melora punched his shoulders a few times before she left the bathroom.
Alfred followed her outside and watched as she got into the car. Her assistant and another young man, likely from her studio, were also in the vehicle.
He observed them in silence.
Soon, the car drove away.
Upon returning to the mansion, Alfred found Henry seated on the living room couch. The rest of the household members were nowhere to be found.
He sat across from Henry and asked, âDo you remember everything now?â