Zoey rose from her seat, resolute in her decision.

Rena’s role in the situation was the most delicate. She then held Edwin’s hand and whisked him away for some playful distraction.

With the child out of the picture, Zoey found herself in a better position to act.

In Zoey’s presence, Mark acquiesced to her wishes.

In a stern tone, Zoey addressed her son, “Mark, the Fowler and Evans families are connected through marriage, and Cecilia is your junior. She used to address you as Uncle Mark… How could you treat her like this? Now that your child has grown up, we’ve only learnt of his existence. Is this how I taught you to behave since you were a child?”

With a face filled with shame, Mark replied, “I’m sorry, Mom.”

Zoey waved her hand and said, “Your apology should be directed to their daughter. I shouldn’t have to instruct you on what to do, should I?”

Mark hesitated for a moment.

Then, without hesitation, he softly knelt in front of Korbyn and Juliette.

Korbyn and Juliette were taken aback.

They hadn’t expected Mark to be so direct.

Being a man of his stature, he rarely gave in. To see him kneeling down like this was an odd sight.

Korbyn wasn’t unreasonable.

He knew his daughter well. If Cecilia didn’t truly care for Mark, how could she endure the secrecy of giving birth to Edwin and raising him alone?

Moreover, Waylen had already fought with Mark.

Korbyn glanced at his wife, unsure of what to say, seeking her guidance.

Juliette didn’t want to escalate things with Mark. She assisted him back up and said politely, “After all, you and Cecilia have Edwin now. As for the future, you can discuss it between yourselves.”

Zoey felt even more ashamed.

Waylen turned to his sister and asked, “Cecilia, what do you think?”

Cecilia gazed at Mark with composure.

He returned her gaze.

She knew in her heart that with Edwin in the picture, he couldn’t claim they were incompatible anymore… He seemed willing to marry her with the families’ efforts combined.

But she didn’t want that.

Why would she agree to such an arrangement?

Cecilia’s lips moved slightly. Mark understood what she wanted to say, so he preemptively interjected, “Let’s talk privately.”

Cecilia glanced at her brother.

Waylen took a sip of tea and smirked, “Go ahead, talk with him.

He won’t do anything to harm you; after all, he’s too old for that.”

Waylen was indeed sharp-tongued.

Cecilia nodded in agreement.

Indeed, there were things they couldn’t discuss in front of their elders…

The two of them retreated to a small parlor for their conversation.

Standing by the window, Cecilia turned her back to Mark and whispered in a hushed voice, “I got pregnant after the last time we were together. I only found out after we broke up.”

Mark’s eyes fixated on her back.

He shook his head gently and said, “You’re not being truthful Cecilia. You knew about the pregnancy before we broke up, didn’t you?”

Cecilia took a shallow breath.

After regaining her composure, she replied, “I can’t hide anything from you, Mr. Evans. Yes, I found out the night we broke up. I wanted to tell you but you then said we were not meant to be.”

In truth, he didn’t have to remind her of that. She knew deep down that their relationship wouldn’t work out.

She had her own pride and dignity.

Mark had a multitude of captivating girlfriends, leaving Cecilia to wonder how stupid she was to believe she could actually hold his heart.

It was all her wishful thinking!

Cecilia turned around and graced them with a smile. “Rena once said that if she couldn’t have my brother completely, she wouldn’t want him at all. She was now with him for Alexis’ sake, as she needed care, and both her parents… But Mr. Evans, Edwin has grown up without a father and is in good health. We don’t need to force ourselves into a relationship for Edwin’s sake.”

Her rationality had grown significantly. “If you wish to see him, you can come to Duefron anytime. I won’t stop you.”

However, taking Edwin to Czanch was out of the question.

She had vowed never to return there for the rest of her life.

She expressed her thoughts extensively.

Mark remained silent, seated on the sofa, smoking…

Unlike his mother, he knew that having a child wasn’t enough. He was aware that Cecilia’s resentment toward him only intensified because of Edwin and that forgiveness was beyond reach.

Mark was no impulsive man; his current position was a testament to that.

Even in the face of love, the woman he deeply admired and his own flesh and blood, he retained his composure.

There were just too many aspects to consider.

After finishing his cigarette, he seemed to have weighed all possibilities and asked her softly, “Have you made your decision?”

Cecilia confirmed her decision.

Mark approached her, raising his hand with the intention of caressing her hair as he had done before. Yet, he hesitated and his hand remained suspended in the air…

After a prolonged moment, in a husky voice, he inquired, “Was it difficult for you out there on your own for two years?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

Mark didn’t say another word; he simply enveloped her in his arms.

It was a hug with no sexual desire. He held her tenderly, consoling her silently, much like an elder concerned for a younger one…

Such tenderness acted as a poison to her heart.

Cecilia didn’t want to be entranced by this affection, so she gently pushed him away and asserted, “From now on, we are only Edwin’s parents.”

Mark didn’t press the matter.

Under the shadow of the curtain, he said in a hushed tone, “Cecilia, when I was with you, there was no one else.”

Cecilia appeared visibly surprised but then a smile graced her lips. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

and Cecilia voiced their

and deemed her son

atmosphere within the Fowler family

and the alimony for

lingering feelings for each other after all this time… We’re still family. If you wish to see Edwin, we won’t stand in

Zoey felt somewhat disheartened.

and hospitality by inviting Zoey to stay at

he found himself entangled in a busy schedule and had to hasten back to Czanch in

current state of

afternoon, Rena and Waylen set out

seat, Rena

If it weren’t for her

significant changes in

Rena’s heart softened.

her head and teased Waylen, “Cecilia possesses an unwavering determination. It appears

Waylen glanced at her.

while before smiling.

you call it

argue with this cheeky

lead to anything

a brief silence, feeling somewhat upset

red light, Waylen gently held her hand and whispered, “Dress up for the

Rena agreed.

Waylen had

behavior towards her and their

the matter

their child. She was willing to treat him better, which led her to

the past, she made a conscious decision to let time

didn’t realize how much her simple “okay”

he couldn’t endure it. He hadn’t been with any woman in the past three years, and he was content with

every day… But what truly mattered to him was that she willingly wanted to be with him, that she opened her heart and entrusted him with her

gentleness, Rena lifted little

pondered and proposed, “These days,

Rena caressed Alexis’ head and inquired, “Would you

stretched out her chubby Legs and let out a cute yawn,

words infused the car’s atmosphere

couldn’t fathom the depth of Alexis’ intelligence, leaving her in

with Waylen. He responded casually, “Isn’t it common for children to be

Alexis burst into

kindergarten classmates

but worry

had to discuss this with Waylen when they had the time, fearing he might inadvertently

later, Waylen brought

Rena realized they were at the French restaurant

she shot him a

foot the bill… You won’t

Rena didn’t give in.

I simply wanted to be a part of your life. I want

his intentions, Rena calmly stated, “I never even considered accepting

prepared to lift Alexis out of the

wrapped his arms around her slender waist, insisting, “Let me carry

saying, “Daddy just wants to have a date with

hold both her

the restaurant, Waylen accomplished

customers now knew that Rena

down-to-earth that he even joined the chat group of the restaurant’s

too obvious, she decided to

use knives and forks properly,

her adorable face, Rena felt a

her relationship with Waylen, her aspiration now was

cherished and looked after and Rena was determined to do just that. For Rena, Alexis was not a burden but rather

delight but his

dissipated when Tyrone unexpectedly appeared, casting a shadow over his

did they have to encounter

was rumored to be a socialite from a prominent family

“Mr.

naturally,

up and smiled, “Long time no see, Tyrone! Did you bring your girlfriend

Tyrone nodded affirmatively.

gaze shifted from Rena’s face to little

and Rena caught his attention

took the initiative and sweetly greeted

approached to greet Alexis and the little girl generously kissed her

but compliment Alexis tearfully,

were even discussing having a little sibling for her to keep her

the

when she

Tyrone and his girlfriend to join them

discussing stocks and the economic landscape with Tyrone and then making arrangements to step out for

admired, “You two love each other so

with a

Tyrone’s girlfriend and had no intention of forging

knew Waylen all too well, including

decided to

French restaurant, Waylen and Tyrone stood together, smoking peacefully for the first time

patted Tyrone’s shoulder and complimented, “You have a wonderful

up, Tyrone exhaled a cloud of smoke and self-deprecatingly remarked, “Is that supposed to console the

accusing, “You secretly backed my first business in

Waylen remained silent.

with bitterness, “Because of you, Rena despised me back then! She truly regarded you as her

still cared about their relationship to some

down, he knew that Rena had never liked

Tyrone accompanied Rena, it was entirely his own doing. Waylen knew he should

resolved to make

cigarette, dropped it

him: pursuing a relationship without financial resources was indeed a burden

inside the restaurant first, his back evoking a sense of familiarity in

polite goodbyes

way home, Rena

restrained his urge to speak

they reached home, Alexis

Waylen’s eyes and brows softened with tenderness,

went to the

little one on the bed, while Rena changed her into a

waist from behind, Waylen drew Rena closer to

her face slightly and asked,

I can’t help feeling jealous of him.

Rena didn’t try to

protecting Tyrone, and in turn,

intrigued by the unspoken understanding

open and honest, he

smiled. “It’s been years. Why bring it up again? Besides, it’s impossible

on her back for a moment, Waylen couldn’t help

back to the master

show of reluctance, she knew it

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