Chapter 203 How Did We Reach This Point.
The sound of the engine starting echoed from the yard a while later. It had to be Henry leaving.
Crystal guessed he was probably mad, but she didn’t take it to heart.
Since he wasn’t home, she might as well leave with Snowy too.
For the entire day, none of them contacted the other.
On Saturday night, Crystal attended Madison’s and Charles’ wedding reception.
+5 Bonus
The reception was taking place at a five-star hotel. With only four tables, it seemed quieter compared to Ritchie’s wedding. Besides that, Charles’ and Madison’s conditions weren’t that well either.
Crystal congratulated the couple and gave them her sincerest blessings.
Madison’s voice shook slightly as she pulled Crystal into an embrace.
Charles’ gaze met Crystal’s behind Madison’s back.
The look in his eyes was complicated. As a man, he knew all too well what Crystal had sacrificed. That knowledge filled him with gratification and guilt.
Crystal flashed him a faint smile.
Charles had always been frivolous, but he was aware he could never repay everything he owed Crystal.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Crystal sat down. Her gaze swept through the room, but she didn’t see Henry anywhere.
Relief flooded her.
Every guest had a mix of emotions as they ate. Even the toasting of the bride and groom was less cheerful However, Charles’ handheld onto Madison’s throughout the entire party. That gave her the energy to maintain the forced smile on her face.
Once the event ended, Crystal went to the restroom.
A memory of Charles holding Madison’s hand flitted through her mind as she washed her hands. Madison will surely be happy. Just as she was about to turn around and leave, Charles’ voice sounded from her back. “Crystal.”
Crystal looked over her shoulder to see him dressed in a suit, smoking as he leaned against the wall of the hallway. When he saw her looking back, he stubbed out the cigarette and earnestly thanked her.
Crystal merely replied, “It wasn’t easy for you two to get together, so treat Madison well.”
Charles nodded.
A moment later, he couldn’t contain his worry and asked, “How are things between you and him?”
Even without Charles pointing it out, they both knew who he was implying
Crystal was taken aback briefly, but a smile curved her lips soon after. “Same old, same old. Don’t worry about stuff like this, Charles. You’ve just gotten married, so enjoy your honeymoon.”
A mix of uncomfortable feelings swirled through Charles.
He wanted to say something else, but Madison abruptly appeared and asked in a dazed voice, “Charles, what did you say just now?”
Charles was startled, but he immediately headed over to reassure her. “I was just chatting with Crystal.”
Madison gently pushed him away.
I heard him asking about Henry. Did Crystal end up with Henry?
She wasn’t dumb as she connected the dots in her mind about how her wedding with Zachary was suddenly canceled so that she could marry Charles. Someone with a higher social status than the Cramer family must have helped, but I didn’t expect the person to be Henry
The rims of Madison’s eyes turned red, and her lips trembled as she stared at Crystal.
Crystal sighed.
She said to Charles, “Give us some space. I’ll talk to her privately.”
Charles thought that it would be easier for the two women to chat, and therefore, he agreed and patted Madison’s shoulder before leaving. “Don’t get angry and hurt yourself and the baby no matter what,” he said gently.
Madison would’ve been quick with her temper if it was the old her.
However, she realized she had lost the right to throw a temper because the baby in her belly might be something Crystal had sacrificed much for in exchange. She didn’t know how to feel about the situation.
The urge to cry overwhelmed her.
Crystal walked to her side and smoothed out the wrinkles in her wedding dress. “How beautiful! A bride must look like a bride, so you shouldn’t cry. I’m fine, Madison. I don’t plan to marry anyway, so I don’t feel sorry for anyone.”
In the end, tears flowed from the corners of Madison’s eyes.
She thought there were no secrets between her and Crystal. Yet, she had never heard about Crystal’s desire to swear off marriage.
“I don’t believe you!” Madison choked out.
Crystal gently pulled Madison into a hug and whispered, “All my life, I’ve only liked two men. Yet, in the end, both those relationships ended dismally. Thus, being single is the best.”
In truth, she had considered going abroad to accompany Emelia or travel with her mother around the world a year later, once her career stabilized.
I can still live a fulfilling life without being in a romantic relationship.
Crystal had already thought things through early on, but it didn’t lessen the sadness Madison felt. Madison lifted her gaze, wanting to say something, but her eyes widened in shock at what she saw.
Henry stood behind Crystal with an impassive expression Who knew how long he had been there?
Madison’s eyes were round as she gasped, “Henry is here!”
Crystal stiffened.
Slowly spinning around, she saw him standing beneath the crystal chandelier, looking elegant.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
Finally, Henry broke the ice, saving his and Crystal’s faces by saying, “Crystal can’t drive, so I’ll send her
back.”
Madison moved slightly..
Charles knew her well and whispered. “Let them settle things on their own.”
At long last, Madison’s tense body could finally relax.
The corners of Crystal’s lips curled into a small smile as she wished the newlyweds, “Congratulations on your wedding!”
With that, she left with Henry.
Inside the elevator, no one spoke. None of them uttered a single word on the way back to her house either.
Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of Crystal’s condominium.
Feeling the stiffness in her neck, she twisted it slightly and announced. “I’m getting out.”
Click!
He locked the door.
Crystal slowly dropped her hand from the door handle and leaned back against the seat. “Henry…”
Henry turned to stare at her.
She is still as pretty as always. Every inch of her beauty matches my preference-her fair face, her exquisite features. Even her light brown hair looks soft.
He wanted to own her, not just in bed, but her body and heart. He desired to spend the rest of his life with
her.
Yet, Crystal said she never wanted to marry again.
Henry had never experienced such pain. His heart ached so horribly, but he couldn’t express it. He knew he would be digging a hole for himself if he even uttered a word about it,
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he studied her.
At last, he took a new box of cigarettes from the glove compartment. With practiced ease, he tore the box open and lit a cigarette.
The pain from the smoke filling his lungs eased his heart’s torment.
Henry felt slightly addicted to the feeling.
He didn’t roll down the windows as he huffed out breath after breath of smoke. Before long, the entire car was stifling.
Crystal couldn’t take it any longer and called, “Henry!”
In the next second, his lips were on her mouth.
They’d kissed plenty of times, but never had it been as fervent as this time. It was as if Henry had plunged into a nightmare and craved to swallow her whole.
Her breathing became ragged, and it got more difficult for her to breathe.
Every breath she inhaled was Henry’s scent.
Just when she thought she would die from asphyxiation, he stopped. Resting his forehead against hers, he closed his eyes and said, “Crystal, how did we reach this point?” His voice was laced with pain.
Crystal didn’t know how to answer him.
He didn’t force her and merely embraced her as he calmed his breathing.
Crystal knew he felt terrible, so she explained, “I don’t hate you, Henry. In contrast, I’m very grateful toward you, but gratitude is gratitude, while feelings are feelings. I don’t want to force myself anymore.”
Henry listened to her silently.
She means kind, but my heart hurts with every word out of her mouth.
Right as the tension in the car intensified, his phone rang. It was a call from David.
David’s voice was tight. “Henry, hurry and get to the eastern suburbs. Mom isn’t doing well. It might be your last time seeing her.”
Belonging naturally to the metropolitan elite with a plethora of properties registered to his name, Henry Miller was the preeminent attorney in the country. Nevertheless, he also assumed an additional role—Robert's forthcoming brother-in-law. Crystal hesitated momentarily, but then she mused, If Robert can cheat on me, why can't I indulge and enjoy myself too?Instead of pushing Henry away, she held onto him even tighter as she was beautiful and had an attractive figure.
