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

was furious and deemed her son

the

the compensation offered by Mark for Cecilia and the alimony for Edwin, deeming

I don’t believe they harbor any lingering feelings for each other after all this time… We’re still family. If you wish to see Edwin, we

Zoey felt somewhat disheartened.

by inviting Zoey to

in a busy schedule and

was the current

afternoon, Rena and Waylen set out

the passenger seat, Rena

If it weren’t for her broken heart, she would have embraced

significant changes in

Rena’s heart softened.

playfully turned her head and teased Waylen, “Cecilia possesses an unwavering determination. It appears that we, too, should not reconcile

Waylen glanced at her.

driving for a while before smiling. “Have

can you call it

not to argue with

wouldn’t lead to anything

fell into a brief silence, feeling

red light, Waylen gently held her hand and

Rena agreed.

that Waylen

and their child

he displayed remarkable restraint in the matter concerning her

which led her to agree when he hinted his desire for intimacy on

conscious decision to let time heal the wounds

how much her simple “okay”

endure it. He hadn’t been with any woman in

truly mattered to him was that she willingly

grace and gentleness, Rena lifted little Alexis

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

Rena caressed Alexis’ head and inquired, “Would

and let out a cute

infused the car’s atmosphere

fathom the depth of Alexis’

it common for children to be intelligent these

Alexis burst into

kindergarten classmates had shared, with Leonel’s name

worry

with Waylen when they had the time, fearing he

an hour later, Waylen brought the car to a

were at the French restaurant

to Waylen, she shot

usually foot the bill… You won’t deprive me of the chance to

Rena didn’t give in.

up to her and admitted, “Guilty as charged! I planned this! I simply wanted to be a part of your life. I

Rena calmly stated, “I never even considered

that, she prepared to lift Alexis out of

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

expression, saying, “Daddy just wants to have a

the fact that she could hold both her father’s and mother’s hands at

restaurant,

customers now knew that

down-to-earth that he even joined

too

cut Alexis’ steak and taught her how to use

face, Rena felt a profound

was a life filled with love and care for

and looked after and Rena was determined to do just that. For

meal with delight but his euphoria didn’t last

casting a shadow over his good

they have to encounter him at

girlfriend, who was rumored

paused and greeted, “Mr. Fowler! Rena,

and naturally, Waylen responded without impulsive

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

Tyrone nodded affirmatively.

Rena’s

between Alexis and Rena caught his

he could kiss her, Alexis took the initiative and sweetly greeted him, kissing him on her

also approached to greet Alexis and the little girl

but compliment Alexis tearfully, “She’s

a darling! Rena and I were even discussing having a little sibling

dimmed the sparkle in

when

Tyrone and his girlfriend to join them

She observed him calmly discussing stocks and the economic landscape with Tyrone and then making arrangements to

girlfriend admired, “You two love

replied with a faint

and had no intention of forging a friendship with

knew Waylen all too well, including what he

Tyrone’s sake, she decided to maintain a

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

and complimented,

cloud of smoke and self-deprecatingly remarked,

secretly backed my first business in Heron, didn’t

Waylen remained silent.

he mockingly added with bitterness, “Because of

their

he knew that Rena

entirely his own doing. Waylen knew he should blame no

he resolved to make

dropped it

him: pursuing a relationship without

sense of familiarity in Waylen, reminiscent of

the dinner, everyone exchanged polite goodbyes but the

their way home, Rena

his urge to

home, Alexis had already

Waylen’s eyes and

went to the little girl’s

while Rena changed

drew Rena closer to him, pressing his body against her back. “Let’s

her face slightly and asked, “What

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

their table earlier, he observed that Rena didn’t try to forge friendship

protecting

the unspoken

open and honest, he laid his

been years. Why bring it up again? Besides,

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

her back to

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

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