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.”

Cecilia

furious and deemed her son

atmosphere within the

the alimony for Edwin, deeming

don’t believe they harbor any lingering feelings for each other after all this time… We’re still family.

Zoey felt somewhat disheartened.

Zoey to stay at the Fowlers’ house for a few more

in a busy schedule and had

the current

Waylen set

the passenger seat,

always had a gentle nature. If it weren’t

“She has undergone significant changes in

Rena’s heart softened.

“Cecilia possesses an unwavering determination. It appears that we, too, should not reconcile

Waylen glanced at her.

for a while before smiling. “Have

you call it

not to argue with this

wouldn’t lead

into a brief silence, feeling somewhat upset about

held her hand and whispered, “Dress up for the

Rena agreed.

Waylen had

her and their child

the matter concerning her uncle

him better, which led her to agree when he hinted his desire for intimacy on the

a conscious decision to

how much her simple

with any woman in the past three years, and

see Rena 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

gentleness, Rena lifted

belt, he pondered and proposed, “These days, I’m swamped to

“Would you

Legs and let out a cute yawn, saying, “Daddy

infused the car’s

of Alexis’ intelligence, leaving her in

He responded casually, “Isn’t it common for children to be intelligent these

burst

classmates had shared, with Leonel’s

worry

Waylen when they had the time, fearing he might

Waylen brought the car

Rena realized they were at

she shot

know, in other families, wives usually foot the bill… You won’t deprive me of the chance

Rena didn’t give in.

planned this! I simply wanted to be a part of your life. I want everyone to know that you’re Mrs. Fowler. I hope

stated, “I never even considered accepting

to lift Alexis out

his arms around her slender waist,

the car with a disapproving expression, saying,

relished the fact that she could hold both her

inside the restaurant, Waylen accomplished

now knew that Rena had a

joined the chat group

somewhat too obvious, she decided

cut Alexis’ steak and taught her how to use

her adorable face, Rena felt a

with Waylen, her aspiration now was a life filled with love and care for

to be cherished and looked after and Rena was determined to do just that. For Rena, Alexis was

with delight but his euphoria didn’t last

casting a

did they have to encounter him at

was

and greeted, “Mr.

naturally, Waylen responded without impulsive

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

Tyrone nodded affirmatively.

Rena’s face to

caught his attention and he

took the initiative and sweetly greeted

greet Alexis and the little girl

help but compliment

“Indeed, she’s a darling! Rena and I were even discussing having a little sibling for her to keep

dimmed the sparkle in Tyrone’s

taken aback, wondering when

was feeling particularly magnanimous today, inviting Tyrone and his girlfriend to

behavior. She observed him calmly discussing stocks and the

two love each other

replied with

and had no intention of forging a friendship with

Waylen all too well, including what

Tyrone’s sake, she decided

stood together, smoking peacefully

and complimented, “You

and self-deprecatingly remarked, “Is that supposed to

accusing, “You secretly backed my first business in

Waylen remained silent.

“Because of you, Rena despised me back

still cared about their

down, he knew that Rena had never

was entirely his own doing. Waylen knew he should blame no one but himself for everything

to make amends to

took a drag on his cigarette, dropped it on the

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

sense of familiarity in Waylen, reminiscent of his younger

everyone exchanged polite goodbyes but

home, Rena

Alexis’ presence, Waylen restrained his urge to

home, Alexis

little Alexis in his arms, Waylen’s eyes and brows softened

went to the little girl’s

the little one on the bed, while Rena changed her into a comfortable pajama and tenderly wiped her hands

delicate waist from behind, Waylen drew Rena closer to him, pressing his body against her back.

her face slightly and asked, “What do you want to

Tyrone. I can’t help feeling jealous of him. Don’t

to their table earlier, he observed that Rena didn’t try to forge friendship with Tyrone’s girlfriend at

secretly protecting Tyrone, and in turn, he also projected similar

intrigued by the unspoken understanding between

open and honest, he laid his

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

hand on her back for a

back

show of reluctance, she knew it was best not to wake

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