Crystal’s One Night of Love
Chapter 322

Chapter 322 Calling Her Name In His Dreams

On New Year's Day, she received the rabbit.

Even though Crystal didn't say it outright, Melora had a strong hunch that the rabbit was a gift from

Alfred.

After all, he had recently visited Hulcaster.

Late at night, Melora lay on her bed, holding the rabbit close.

She thought of Alfred and realized that she should thank him for the gift. Besides, it was the New Year, and she wanted to wish him well.

Hence, Melora decided to send him a WhatsApp message.

Melora texted: Happy New Year, Mr. Alfred!

She waited anxiously for a response, and after what seemed like an eternity, he finally replied. Alfred texted: Happy New Year.

Those three words, however, stirred deep emotions in her. Melora couldn't help but cry quietly as she was unable to express her complicated feelings.

If it were anyone else in the world, she would boldly confess her emotions without a second thought. "I like you!"

However, she had fallen for Alfred.

He was Crystal's uncle.

Melora despised herself, yet she couldn't help but fall hopelessly in love with him. Normally, she didn't follow the news, but she began to watch the television and read the newspapers. Sometimes, when her father and brother talked about Alfred, she would secretly listen in.

Nevertheless, she knew he didn't belong to her.

It was nighttime in Coldbridge.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, Alfred sat in his office, gazing at his phone while lost in thought.

Leslie entered the room.

"Mr. Lodge, are you ready? Everyone is eagerly waiting for you to speak to them."

However, Alfred remained still.

Seeing that, Leslie walked over and asked gently, "What happened, Mr. Lodge?"

Alfred pointed at his phone, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The young girl just sent me a message."

He thought about how Melora must have liked his gift,

Sadly, he couldn't personally hand it to her.

Alfred kept his phone in his pocket and rose from his chair. His expression relaxed visibly, as if he had

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reclaimed his former self.

Leslie let out a soft sigh as he trailed behind Alfred.

It was very lively outside. After Alfred delivered a speech, he joined his colleagues for dinner.

As the event soon came to a close, he became inebriated.

Alfred sat in the back of the car and continued staring at the message from Melora. He then lamented to Leslie, "You have no idea how much I wish I could shed these responsibilities and take a well-deserved. break for a month. How I wish I were a decade younger!"

Perhaps then he would have found the courage to stand beneath the fireworks and admire Melora's radiant smile.

Leslie's heart pounded with fear as he tried to coax Alfred to get out of the car and into the house.

Taking in his state, Lucia was worried about her son and took care of him personally.

Upon feeling the warmth of someone beside him, Alfred clasped Lucia's wrist and murmured, "Melora!"

Even though Lucia didn't quite catch what he said, she recognized it as a girl's name.

She patted her son's hand and scolded him, "How can you still be dreaming when you are so drunk? Are you calling out to one of your lady friends?"

As Alfred's intoxication slowly ebbed, he remembered who had occupied his dream. He felt a slight blush tinge his usually composed face,

Lucia complained, "What's the point of dreaming? You'should marry her and have children for the Lodge family. That's when I'll be truly impressed!" Alfred sat up and pulled out a cigarette.

He silently smoked half of it before smiling faintly. "Mom, there's nothing of that sort going on." With that, he stubbed out the cigarette and headed into the bathroom.

Lucia tried hard to recall what her son had said earlier

Was it something like "Melo?" Do youngsters these days like to use such nicknames?

In the bathroom, Alfred stood against the wall, letting the warm water flow over him from head to toe while blurring his vision. Yet, he couldn't ignore the profound feelings he had developed for Melora. Throughout the past six months of their strained relationship, his life had felt noticeably empty. However, no other woman could capture his interest.

Even though Alfred understood that they did not have a future together, he had foolishly clung to his chastity, fearing that Melora would be unhappy if she bumped into him again.

Alfred couldn't help but chuckle at his own foolishness.

For a long time after that, they did not contact each other. Even when he went to Barnwood for a business trip, they would only occasionally catch a glimpse of each other from afar. However, the pivotal moment came after a thunderous explosion at Crystal's residence.

24

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On that morning, Alfred received a call from Crystal when he was in a meeting. "Uncle Alfred, please save me!" she cried in despair. By the time he rushed to Barnwood, Crystal was already in the hospital. Her body was drenched in blood as she desperately struggled through labor.

Alfred would never forget the fear he experienced while standing outside the delivery room.

He had already lost his sister, and he couldn't bear to lose Crystal as well.

"Where's Henry?" Alfred asked, his eyes red-rimmed.

All three members of the Miller family were present.

Julia wept uncontrollably, while David could only shake his head helplessly. Finally, Melora softly revealed, "He's at the Kingdom of Brundela, fighting a lawsuit for Audrey."

Alfred erupted with a flurry of expletives.

When he heard Melora calling him in a trembling voice, he held back the curses that he wanted to say.

Alfred entered the delivery room to check on Crystal, and after about ten minutes, he left.

The baby was in critical condition and could be aborted. However, Crystal, who had two broken ribs, insisted on going through with the birth.

In the quiet corridor outside the delivery room, Alfred leaned against the wall with his head tilted back and his eyes moist.

The long wait was unbearable.

Crystal endured sixteen hours of labor, and it wasn't until midnight that she finally gave birth to a baby girl named Skyler.

Skyler was born prematurely, and her condition was dire. Hence, she was rushed to the ICU before anyone in the family could catch a glimpse of her.

The doctor had delivered the grim news with tact, advising them to prepare themselves mentally while also being careful of Crystal's emotional state. The tears finally started flowing down Alfred's cheeks.

For the first time, Melora witnessed him shedding tears. In her memory, he had always been an unshakably strong figure.

Throughout the latter half of the night, Alfred didn't sleep, choosing instead to smoke outside.

As dawn broke, Alfred made his way into the hospital room. Julia had gone to the service desk, while Melora lay asleep by Crystal's bedside.

Alfred gently tapped her shoulder, rousing the young girl from her slumber.

Her eyes were puffy and red, but she managed to acknowledge his presence with a bleary, "Mr. Alfred." "So, you still remember me." Alfred's voice was raspy, and his words made no sense. However, Melora didn't care about the specifics. Her own feelings felt trivial in the face of their current situation. She simply hoped for Crystal and Skyler to be well.

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E

Melora stepped aside to let Alfred speak with Crystal while she went to the ICU ward. She stood at the door and peered through the glass, but she couldn't see anything inside. Next, she leaned against the glass door, silently shedding tears.

"Please stay safe, Skyler!"

Melora didn't know if Henry and Crystal's relationship would ever go back to how it used to be, but she fervently wished for Skyler to be healthy. The baby was still so small and adorable.

Meanwhile, not too far away, a silent Alfred stood rooted to the ground.

He had overheard the young girl's heartfelt words.

Leslie encouraged, "You should have something to eat. It's been a whole day since you last had food or a

drink."

Alfred turned around and said softly, "Send her some breakfast."

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