think a title for

"You're no one to Serenity. Why do you have to stand in my way?"

Successfully taking Serenity, I was going to go upstairs to follow them but my footsteps faltered when I heard what Charles said, turning around to face the old man, "So, Mr. Matthews, you think I have nothing to do with Serenity or Crystal. And that's why I shouldn't get into her business?"

"Of course. If I call the police right now, how are you going to answer if they ask you what is your relationship with Crystal?" I frowned, looking upstairs subconsciously when I realized that the baby had stopped crying. "What if I tell you that I'm Serenity's father?"

Charles went frozen in shock, his face pale in my eyes "What? You're Serenity's father? How is it even possible?"

But then Charles let out a cold laugh, "Interesting. It seemed like our little mute is pretty lucky. She gave birth to a little bastard and now everyone wants to claim to be the baby's dad…"

Before Charles could finish the sentence, the anger his words made me dashed forward and grabbed him by his neck. "Francis! What the heck are you doing? Let me go!"

"DON'T even try to humiliate Crystal in my face. Or I'll break your ribs and throw you into the sea," I thundered, my grip on his shirt tight, nearly choking him in my rage. Charles couldn't even breathe, fear was plastered over his face as he could only nod shakily, "Yes… Yes… I get it now… Please let me go…"

I let go of him and Charles collapsed against the floor, coughing his lungs out. Dusting my hands, I spoke to Zoe who stood behind me now, "Zoe, hold the door open for Mr. Matthews," I said coolly, "It's time for him to go."

Zoe hurried to hold the door, "Mr. Matthews, please." Charles walked out of the door slowly, defeated under my watchful eyes. The guards were waiting outside to escort him.
 
"By the way, Mr. Matthews," I suddenly added, "Whoever sent you here. You need to tell him that he should stop planning to harm Crystal or Serenity if he still wants to live."

»»————-　　————-««

*ESMERALDA*

i had been waiting by the door all this time but I still didn't see the baby in Charles's arm as he went out of the gate. Spotting him, I yanked him away from the sight of the window as he walked out. "Dad? Where's the baby? I told you I needed you to bring her here!"

"Stop mentioning that," Charles sighed, "I tried. I really tried, okay? But Francis just jumped out of nowhere and took the baby away…" I had also seen Francis's car but he shouldn’t be able to do anything! "But you're the baby's grandfather! He doesn't have the right to stop you."

"I am the baby's grandfather but he's the baby's dad…"

"He said he was her dad?" My mouth fell open, "But…how… They haven't even known each other that long… How is it even possible?" I didn’t understand. Wasn’t that brat Alex’s?

"He really said that. I can't take the baby away. Didn't you see how many guards he's bringing with him?" 

"No… It didn't feel right. He must be lying. He can't be the father… That baby is Alex's…" I felt extremely anxious, firm in my discovery "That little bastard is a bomb… "

Charles spoke, "Esme, don't do anything stupid. By the way, I really need to go now…" and walked away hastily even when I was calling him behind his back. But he didn't even look back once, pissing me off.

Casting one last look at Francis's house, I didn't know if I was delusional but I could still hear the baby crying. As long as the baby still existed, I would feel uneasy. If Alex found out about the baby, everything would be ruined. I would lose everything.

»»————-　　————-««

*CRYSTALLINE*

When the call came in from my phone, I was doing a needle treatment for Alex. I knew Francis seldom called unless he had something really important so I picked it up instantly. Francis sounded a bit apologetically on the other side of the line, "Something happened today, but you don't need to worry because everyone is safe."

"What happened?" I hushed my voice as she walked toward the window, away from Alex. "Esme came today. After she left, your father also came…"

I was instantly nervous, "What were they doing there?"

"Your dad tried to take the baby away. But I stopped him…" Hearing that, I let out a long breath. Esme and Charles must have learnt that I had left with Alex, however unwillingly I was. That was surely why they decided to visit. I had thought Francis's place was the safest spot I could ever find but Esme still found the baby anyway. Anxiously, I started to pace up and down before the window. What am I going to do?
 
"Crystal," It seems Francis detected my anxiety, trying to comfort me with a soothing tone, "You don't need to worry. They won't show up for a while. But there's one thing I need to ask for your forgiveness…"

"What is it?" A nervous pause before Francis spoke, "Your dad insisted to take away the baby and threatened to call the police. I had no choice but to tell him that I was the baby's father…"

I faltered at his words, sneaking a glance at Alex, who was still lying on the couch. The baby's real father was right before me. He was the one who could protect me and my daughter. But I couldn't even tell him the truth. Or else, Esme would definitely try everything to harm my baby daughter. 

Francis must of mistook my silence with his reply, "I'm sorry, Crystal. I wasn't even thinking back then… I hope you're not mad at me…"

"Why would ever be mad at you?" I spoke to the phone softly, "You just wanted to help me. You had no choice…"

"Really?"

"Thank you, Francis," I cooed. "You know I would do anything for you. I promised you to take care of the baby… But now that they thought I was the father… Guess we had no choice but to continue the lie…"

It seemed like the only way now. Having a fake father seemed like a way to keep Serenity safe for now. But it didn't seem fair to Francis. He hadn't even gotten married. But now he suddenly had a daughter. It would surely stir gossip and his reputation would be at stake. "Crystal, I don't think we can figure out the whole thing through the phone. We can discuss it when you come back, okay?"

"Okay, I'll be at home tomorrow." I was thankful for his kindness. "Sure, see you then."

"See you.’ I hung up the phone and walked toward Alex, looking worried but Alex shot up from the couch before I could approach him again. "Mr. Morgenstern?"

"I need to leave now." What? So suddenly? "But your treatment hasn't even finished yet…"

"Get changed and come with me," Alex took a couple of needles out of his skin, throwing them onto the table before stepping inside the changing room. What was this man and his strange moods? I had no clue about what he was going to do so I could only get changed silently. 

After being brought here, Alex hadn't even let me out for once. I could tell he hated me but I didn't know why Alex treated me like this. But being hated by someone you loved was quite cruel. Every action he made seemed to just make my heart clench in pain. 

When I finally walked out after changing into a new dress, Alex was waiting for me by the door. He checked me out from head to toe, frowning, "Is this how you dress when you go out with me?"

What was wrong with my dress? I looked down to check out my outfit self-consciously. The dress didn't look luxurious, but it was decent for everyday wear, a plain flowery sundress with a beige overcoat. Alex lifted his watch and took a quick look, "We still have some time left. I'll take you to buy some outfits…"

He was going to take her to shopping? What was he thinking? I thought he hated me. Did he feel embarrassed because of what I was wearing? I seldom had had any chance to buy new outfits since my mother passed away. 

Buying me new outfits was a generous offer but I couldn’t bring herself to be happy about it. I decided secretly that I would run away from this man after the treatment was done. The way he looked at me right now was too cold. I couldn't stand it and with his fluctuating moods, it was dangerous with Esme’s temper. Leaving was probably a good thing. 

The longer I spent time with him, the more heartbroken I became. I need to end this cycle soon.

»»————-　　————-««

Alex's car stopped before a strip mall, but he didn't show any intention to get off the car, giving me a credit card instead, "I'll be waiting for you in the car. Be quick."

So, he was not going to go with me? I thought he would pick up new dresses for me but it seemed like I was thinking too much again. Taking the card, I got off the car and walked into the mall. There were a lot of luxurious brand stores in that mall. I didn't know which one was better. So taking a chance, I walked into a random one. 

It was probably because my outfit was too plain. No sales lady came to serve me, instead one of the sales ladies even approached me with an arrogant look on her face, "Miss, we've got only a few quotas left here. We only receive three guests today. One of our VIPs is on her way right now. Could you please leave?"

I could leave if I was demanded to. The card Alex gave me probably had enough money to buy the whole store. But Alex already hated me enough and I didn't want him to think that i was a gold-digger. So i walked out of the store without saying anything. There was the saying of choosing my battles.

Ok this is getting ridiculous. I had been asked politely to get out the fourth time. 

I knew I didn't have much time left, with how Alex is. I needed to buy a dress right now. So when I walked past the fifth store, I saw a beautiful dress by the door. The cut and color both suited me. So, I plucked up my courage and walked in. To hell with letting go!

There were several guests in the store. They all looked like VIPs dressed in luxurious brands. The clerks were busy serving those customers. They didn't even spare a glance at me as I walked in.
One of the clerks walked by and I hurried to stop her and asked, "Could you get that dress for me? I'd like to try it on…"

The clerk sized me up slowly, making me bristle. "Miss, that color is pretty easy to be tainted. If it's tainted, you will need to buy it…"

"How much is it then?" Really, I need to buy it now, but she didn't even bother to say the number, a haughty look on her face. "I'm sorry, Miss. But our store is full. Could you please wait outside when we're busy with other guests?"

I frowned, "Those two people came in later than me. Why do I have to get out?"

A cold smirk showed up on the clerk's face and I started to lose my patience with her, "They have appointments. Could you please wait outside, Miss?"

The clerk raised her voice a bit so all the customers and clerks started to look in our direction. This must be an attempt to humiliate me then. But sadly for her, I didn't care how other people might look at me. I just wanted to purchase a dress and leave. Alex was still waiting in his car and I probably would be scolded for being late.
 
So I sighed, suppressing my anger. "Could you please get that dress for me? I just want to try it on. I'll buy it if it’s suitable…"

"I'm sorry, Miss. But that dress is customized." What the actual-?! "You didn't mention it's customized a couple of minutes ago…"

The clerk's smile was starting to strain but I pulled out a card and gave it to the clerk, "You think I can't afford it, don't you? I believe the money on this card is enough to buy that dress…"

The clerk looked at the card and froze. The clerk looked up and asked, "What is its code then, Miss?"

Alex hadn't told me that in the car… I froze in thought, "I'll make a call to ask him."

The clerk made a gesture, telling me to do it. I tried to call Alex, but he didn't pick up. I could only tell the clerk that she needed to wait. The clerk's eyebrow jumped suspiciously. 

"Miss," She shoved the card back into my hands impatiently, "We're busy right now. Could you please leave? You're welcome to come back when you know the code…"
I gripped the card in her hands tightly, feeling humiliated. Damn you Alex! 

At this moment, however, Alex suddenly walked in the shop, "I forgot my phone in the car. The code is your birthday…"

The scene was like a drama, as if time froze and all eyes were on him. The aura he emitted was intimidating, oozing the scent of money and privilege.

What was he doing here?