Chapter 213
Chapter 213 You Will Have To Marry Her
Crystal's face turned pale.
She recalled a certain late-night incident when he had shown a sudden interest in making love to her.
At that time, she was half-asleep, defenseless against his advances, and it seemed that he had forgotten. about taking any precautions.
Madison entered while cautiously cradling her abdomen. Without asking, she already knew what was going on upon seeing Crystal's dazed look. In a hushed voice, she asked, "What are you going to do now?"
Crystal washed her face vigorously.
"My stomach doesn't feel well. I need to go to the hospital."
Afternoon arrived, and Crystal found herself having her blood tested in the hospital.
The results confirmed her suspicions. She was six weeks pregnant.
Sitting on a chair in the long hallway, she caressed her abdomen, realizing that within it lay a precious. creation of love between her and Henry.
Although it was an unexpected accident, she knew in her heart that she wanted this child.
She also knew that she must tell Henry since he was the father of the child. No matter how complicated their relationship was, the child deserved to have both parents. Crystal dialed Henry's number.
The call got through, and after a few seconds, his tender voice rang out. "What's the matter?"
Crystal's throat tightened.
Then, she announced in a low voice, "Henry, I'm pregnant,"
Henry was silent for a few seconds, but he quickly composed himself and replied, "Wait for me there. I'll be right over."
"Okay."
After hanging up, Crystal looked at the medical report for a long time.
Henry arrived in less than half an hour.
He deliberately slowed down as he approached her, his eyes never leaving her face. His deep gaze was different from usual. At this moment, it was radiating pure tenderness. Crystal also looked silently at him.
After a long pause, he knelt in front of her and gently held her hands.
It was winter, and Crystal's hands were slightly cold, so he warmed them in his before speaking in a hoarse voice. "Crystal, let's get married!"
Before she could respond, he enveloped her in his arms and led her out of the hospital.
After getting into the car, Crystal turned to look at him and said, "I want to go back to the condominium!" Henry nodded and lightly stepped on the gas pedal.
It often snowed around Christmas time in Barnwood. The snowflakes danced outside the window, creating a romantic ambiance.
Henry drove slowly, and the journey that should have taken half an hour stretched as long as fifty minutes.
Crystal wasn't feeling well, so she went straight to bed as soon as they arrived home..
However, Henry didn't leave.
He asked Jamie to bring him the necessary documents so that he could deal with his work in the condominium. He also had some plain and light food delivered from the Miller residence. Then, he patiently waited for Crystal to wake up.
Crystal slept for a long time and didn't wake up until nine o'clock at night.
Henry entered the room when he heard noises. He had removed his suit jacket and looked dashing in only a dress shirt and trousers.
Crystal got up, and they ate quietly together, savoring the simple meal.
When they were almost done eating, Crystal started softly, "Let's name the baby Skyler Miller. It's a gender-neutral name that works for boys and girls." Skyler Miller...
Henry reached out and gently caressed her face. "It's a good name. Skyler it is!"
Crystal continued eating.
When she finished, she shared her decision with him. "Let's just get the marriage certificate first. We can hold the wedding ceremony after the baby is born. It'll be autumn then. I love autumn, Henry He nodded, agreeing with every word she spoke.
Perhaps it was the snow outside or perhaps it was the joy of impending parenthood. The night brimmed with warmth and tenderness.
Crystal held a steaming mug of hot milk, gazing at the delicate snow outside.
Henry sat on the cozy couch, dealing with some business matters. He knew he was soon going to be busy, so he decided that once he wrapped up those cases in hand, he would take a break from work in order to be right by Crystal's side for the birth of their child.
very
Since it was their first child, they had to play it safe.
Just then, his phone rang, and he saw it was Joshua calling.
The late-night phone call disrupted the peace.
Henry didn't avoid Crystal and answered the call in front of her. "Mr. Quinn, what's the matter?"
Due to previous events, the relationship between the Quinn and Miller families had become somewhat
complicated. They were no longer as close as before. But since Henry owed Joshua a big favor, he still treated the latter quite well.
"Henry..." Joshua seemed hesitant to speak. "The second trial is in half a month. I hope you can go there three days in advance to communicate with their lawyer."
Henry chuckled. "We can communicate over the phone just as well. Besides, we can also arrange for
video call!"
Joshua seemed a little displeased. "Henry, it will only take three days of your time!"
a
"Crystal is pregnant!" Henry candidly shared the news with Joshua. "Apart from taking care of her, I also need to visit the Lodge family in Coldbridge. Mr. Quinn, I'm sure you can understand this, right?"
There was a moment of silence on Joshua's end.
Crystal is pregnant?
He had always thought that Crystal and Henry's relationship wouldn't stand the test of time. Yet, things had worked out between them after all.
"Has she acknowledged the Lodge family?" Joshua's voice trembled as he tried to process the news.
"Yes," Henry replied lightly.
It was a bitter pill for Joshua to swallow. The knowledge that Crystal, the child born from his and Krystal's relationship, had accepted the Lodge family was unbearable for him. After all, he was Crystal's biological father, yet she obstinately refused to recognize him.
Joshua hung up the phone, feeling lost and disappointed.
The next day, Henry went back to the Miller residence.
David was in the hall, sipping coffee. Upon seeing his son return, he sneered, "Well, well, if it isn't the scion of the Miller family finally gracing us with his presence! Where have you been all this time? It's been half a month since we've seen you!"
Henry took a seat, and his father tossed a cigarette his way.
"Sorry, but I've quit smoking!"
"You quit smoking? Are the pigs flying now?"
David couldn't believe what he had just heard.
Henry, with his usual composed demeanor, gazed upstairs and asked, "Where's Mom and Melora? I have something important to share!"
Julia and Melora descended the stairs right then.
Julia appeared unhappy. She seemed indifferent to everything except the prospect of becoming at grandmother.
With a calm expression, Henry announced, "Crystal is pregnant."
"No way!" David chucked his cigarette box at Henry, but it didn't hurt the latter at all. Julia was over the
moon that she began thanking all the gods she knew.
David, pretending to be annoyed, muttered, "Look at what you've done! You'll have to marry her then, I suppose?"
Henry carefully presented a list of gifts he had in mind.
David's temper flared. "You can't be serious? Are you trying to negotiate a business deal? You're asking for her hand in marriage! Let your mother handle it! Marriage is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You should show some sincerity!"
David was perceptive and had foresight.
Not only did he admire and like Crystal, but there was also another aspect to consider-she was now a part of the Lodge family. If Henry was to marry her, the two families could form a strong partnership, and numerous profitable collaborations would become possible.
Even though the marriage was indeed about the young lovebirds, it also had some serious interests at stake on both sides.
Hearing David's words, Julia happily went off to make preparations.
Henry wasn't reluctant to give up his wealth either. After all, after he married Crystal, all his assets would belong to her.
He sat there and sipped on his coffee while occasionally discussing the wedding with his mother. David let out a soft sigh of relief. Finally, we look like a real family.
As for the wedding, David agreed it should be held after the baby was born.
It was too rushed and exhausting to hold a wedding while expecting a child. He didn't want his precious grandchild to suffer any hardship.
No, we have to wait until the baby is born!
Soon, the Millers went to Coldbridge to formally propose marriage.
Alfred, as expected, made it a bit challenging for the Millers, but as becoming in-laws with them was inevitable, he didn't go too hard on them.
David had a smile on his face but he was cursing inwardly.
They call Alfred a wolf in sheep's clothing. Today, I finally got to witness it!
David shot his son a stern look.
Henry was quite shameless. With his charming looks and silver tongue, he managed to win the favor of the ladies of the Lodge family. Then, he left to find Crystal.
While David and Alfred were discussing the marriage arrangements and other matters in depth, the butler suddenly came in and interrupted with a serious expression, "Sir, there's a man by the name of Joshua Quinn here to visit you. He claims to be Crystal's biological father!"
Hearing that, Alfred set down his cup and chuckled.
"My brother-in-law passed away and was buried in the graveyard. Did he perhaps hear about our happy
news and decide to come back from the afterlife?"
His sharp mockery caused David to cough and offer a silent prayer for Joshua.
In any case, Alfred still permitted Joshua to enter.
Joshua came in with his mother, carrying some gifts.
Alfred smiled and said, "What brings the great artist to my humble abode today?"
Joshua had always been too ashamed to meet him.
On regular days, he didn't even dare to set foot in the Lodge residence, but today he had to stand himself. After much consideration, he said, "Regarding Henry and Crystal's marriage, my mother and I up for have one request. Crystal should get ready at the Quinn residence and the car will leave from there. We'll also handle the dowry! If they have a second child in the future, w-we hope the child can carry the
Quinn
surname!"
David couldn't even stand to hear those words.
However, he remained silent, letting Alfred handle the situation.
Alfred usually carried an air of elegance, but that was all just an act. In front of Joshua, he didn't need to hold back. He immediately shouted in anger, "That's a load of bullshit! What does a child of the Lodge family have to do with you, Joshua Quinn?"
Joshua presented a DNA test report.
In a hoarse voice, he said, "Crystal is my and Krystal's child. Nothing can ever change that!"
Alfred snorted.
you ever
Pointing at Joshua, he said coldly, "What's the value of a DNA test? Answer me this, Joshua. Have spent any money on Crystal? Have you ever held her when she was a child? Listen, it was John and Anna who raised her. Crystal will only refer to Anna as her mother at the wedding. As for you, Joshua, you don't even qualify to attend the wedding!"
His anger continued to fuel his tirade. "What kind of father are you? Crystal's father is lying next to my sister in their graves. You slept with another woman, and after my sister left you in despair, you married that woman! Now you have the audacity to take advantage of the current situation and claim the role of Crystal's father? There's no such easy way out!"
Joshua couldn't say a word to refute Alfred.
Back then, Krystal had misunderstood him. He did share a bed with Rhea, but nothing had happened. between them.
Yet, Krystal had still left him in anger.
It was only after he married Rhea that he found out Krystal was pregnant.
He was completely clueless about everything.
Alfred pointed at him with his hand that was holding a cigarette and said, "You're destined to have no descendants!"
His sister, Krystal, came from a prestigious family but chose to be with Joshua despite his poor
background. However, reality turned out to be even more dramatic than any story-she was cheated on by the poor man she had fallen for.
The unfaithful man had been in a relationship with the homewrecker for over two decades.
Ha! He wants to acknowledge Crystal as his daughter now? Dream on!
Alfred didn't hold back, and he had every reason not to. Joshua did not lose anything, yet Krystal died from depression, and Alfred lost his beloved sister.
David sat at the side.
Joshua looked at him for help, but David knew that it was not his place to say anything. He could only. shake his head apologetically.
Indeed, the Millers owed Joshua a favor, but over the years, it had mostly been repaid. Moreover, after Melora was rescued from drowning in the water back then, she had been talking in her sleep, saying that
it was Audrey who had pushed her.
Kids could be mischievous, and since Joshua had lost his fertility, there were things David and his wife couldn't bring themselves to say.
At this moment, Crystal and her baby were more important, and Henry had already done enough to help with that lawsuit.
Joshua left in disappointment.
As he walked away from the Lodge residence, he looked up at the sky. Krystal, you still won't forgive me! You're still punishing me!